90Q v6 starter replacement

[Timofej H. Crift]

Here is the method I used to get the starter out:

1.  As always, disconnect the battery.
2.  It makes the job easier, but not necessary if you are a contortionist (a
good one), to remove the right side exhaust pipe.  Remove the three nuts
holding the front pipe to the manifold, the two sleeve clamps at the
connecting pipes (easier than separating at the cat.), and the center spring
mount at the trans.  Watch your head.  Chances are that the sleeve clamps
will require replacement as the straps have a tendency to rust away.  Check
them before starting the job and get new ones if necessary.
3.  Remove the starter and solenoid supply wires.
4.  Unbolt the two bolts holding the starter/alternator harness to the
bottom of the engine.
5.  Remove the alternator.  It is the only way to get the starter out as it
blocks you from pulling the starter out far enough from the bell housing to
maneuver it out underneath the exhaust manifold.  Remove the drive belt
(take off the top and front engine cover and depress the tensioner pulley
via the 17MM hex head lever) and completely, the two mounting bolts.  Pull
the alternator off the bosses  and rotate it clockwise to clear them.  Lay
the alternator out of the way.  Step 4 gives you enough slack to do this and
you do not need to remove the alternator wires.
6.  Remove the starter bolts (2).  The top bolt can be removed from above
the drive shaft.  The starter should pop right out and through the gap where
the alternator was.

Installation is the reverse of removal.

A note: Make sure you have a wide assortment of socket extensions and a
wobble joint to be able to get at the bolts and nuts.  You will have to do
some finagling and sizing of extensions to get a good bite on them.

Tim