560SL - Replacing the Starter

[tivoliman]

1986 560sl
Needs a new starter.

Please suggest where I may learn how to do this.

My primary question:
Can the starter be replaced while I slithering on the garage floor? (No lift available.)

There seems to be a top and bottom bolt on the starter. The Top one may be a challenge.

I've also heard that the engine needs lifted, so you might as well replace the engine mounts.

Is anything here true?

Can I remove and replace the starter with the car on the ground?

Thanks for the assistance.

[Metaphysician]

The starter can be removed using ramps, but removing the top bolt is very difficult for two main reasons: (1) it requires a lot of torque, and (2) you can only get to it by snaking several long extensions and a swivel with an Allen socket on it through the transmission tunnel.

The first time tried that I couldn’t budge that bolt. So I took it to my dealer and had them loosen it a bit for me for $50. If the dealer won’t do it, you can probably find a local mechanic who will do it for even less.

In either case, if you can finish the job at home, it’ll save you a few hundred.

Steve

[Sugar Bear]

The Generator and Starter Exchange on Mulberry Street in Trenton, NJ has served me very well for a long time. They will rebuild in-house or exchange and I think they would do the install.