Anyone with experience working on cars...

Ever replaced a starter?
How hard is it?
My sister keeps freaking out over gear alignment, but it doesnt seem like it will be too hard to me.

Smithno13 wrote:

Ever replaced a starter?
How hard is it?
My sister keeps freaking out over gear alignment, but it doesnt seem like it will be too hard to me.

Pickup a direct replacement here.
RockAuto Auto Parts

Then follow this guide
How to Replace a Starter | AutoMD

Its pretty simple...You just need to make sure its meshed properly before you tighten the bolts. (Though if you gradually tighten one bolt at a time it should slowly get itself into position)

Really the only complicatedness depends on the car / engine.

It's a 93 jeep cherokee, and the removal and replacement instructions in the haynes manual dont mention anything about gear alignment, it just says take the old out, put the new in. Being such an old car, it is all pretty straightforward.

Smithno13 wrote:

It's a 93 jeep cherokee, and the removal and replacement instructions in the haynes manual dont mention anything about gear alignment, it just says take the old out, put the new in. Being such an old car, it is all pretty straightforward.

That depends if you are replacing the bearing as well.
Rod + bearing connects to the flywheel.
Starter replacement goes on one-way bearing and turns the motor over.

So. Are you replacing the bearing? Or just the starter alone?

Just the starter. The solenoid is the problem, but the solenoid alone is more expensive than the entire starter-solenoid set.

Smithno13 wrote:

Just the starter. The solenoid is the problem, but the solenoid alone is more expensive than the entire starter-solenoid set.

Then you should just need to disconnect the battery then the wires, remove the bolts connecting the starter, Leave the bearing attached (Unless it is secured within the starter / comes built in the starter) and then do a quick compare with the new part and pop it on there and secure it.

Assuming you got everything on there properly and its pre-lubed (assuming its a ballbearing) then it should be a simple repair...

No different than replacing a part in a computer.

Just remember, When your testing a new starter on the first go, You shouldnt need alot of effort to start the car at all, Just do a quick turn of the keys to make sure it turns over properly. If it doesnt start on that quick turn of the motor then give it a maximum of a 1 second keyturn to try and start the car (Assuming your sparkplugs are not in proper working order)

if it starts up, Kill the engine. Then try again, If it starts a second time, everything is good to go.

Only took me an hour, worked on the first try

Smithno13 wrote:

Only took me an hour, worked on the first try

*Brofist* Great job!
toldja it was simple =P

My hands are KILLING me though, I had almost no clearance around it. And the bottom of my car has way too much oil on it.