1987 300TD starter, help needed
 

The starter in my 87 300TD is completely dead. Pulld it out and took it to an electrical shop to see if it could be rebuilt. Nope. So I bought a new one, which is much larger than the one I pulled out. Old one was not stock.
My problem is that I can not get the new one in place. I can get it almost into place, but the steering box and the engine mount are in the way. I really don't want to move either one of those. Any tips or suggestions to make it fit in place?

The starter should bolt right up. I kind of had the same problem with a starter I just replaced on my 85 300 sd. I ordered a rebuilt starter starter that was said to fit my car turned out the mounting part of the starter was different then mine and there was no way it was gonna mount up. I wound up totally disassembling the 2 starters and swapped my mounting area from old starter on to rebuilt one then was able to mount it and it does turn engine over and guaranteed for life.

It will bolt right up just fine. The problem is, that I can't get it into place. The steering box and engine mount are in the way.

The starter is very tight, for sure, but it will fit. Your motor mounts may be collapsed.

What do you mean, motor mounts may be collapsed? I can move them some how?

True Heart-Ache from Stuttgart
 

Unfortunately, the Geniuses in Charge of Motor Mount Engineering In Deutschland have followed the rest of the Industry
(From Ahead by by about 15 years) in using Hydraulic [Liquid Filled]
Motor Mounts.

When they Fail (As they invariably do) they are "Collapsed" and LOWER
the Engine in relationship to the Chassis.

There are only Two solutions:

Replace with O.E.

Drill out Your mounts and Drain,Clean and Refill with Approximately 35-40 SHORE A Urethane.

________________________________________________________________________________________

YOU May be able to "Lift" the engine with "whatever method" and be able to "Insert" the Starter.

Jack up the engine just enough to lift it up within the compartment to the extent you extend the motor mounts from a collapsed position. Use a flat board against the bottom of the oil pan so you don't crack it with the jack.

Didn't know that. I'll go with option 3


Thanks for option 3. Will try it out in the morning

Maybe replace the mounts pretty soon as well

I just replaced mine several weeks ago. Drivers side was completely collapsed!

Drivers side is easier than the passenger side. Trick to removing the passenger side is to remove the mount from the side of the engine. Made the procedure very easy.

I found lots of information on the boards and also a bunch of sage wisdom from members.

Best tip was to stay away from Uro if you want longevity!

Was it a Uro?

Finally got it in place. Had to remove the windshield washer resovoir and jack the engine up. Still had to fight with it to wedge it in there, but now my car runs again.

Great!