Ls400 Starter Replacement

[ehancock]

I've almost got the starter out of my 91 LS400, but the rear coolant bypass pipe is tight against the wiring harness and won't come off. Any tips on how to remove it, or some other way to access the two bolts holding the starter in place?

Thanks, Ernie in Vancouver BC

[GreyBeard]

hi, i was hoping someone would reply to your post cos i've got one from 1990, and thought i would benefit from knowing how to get these two bolts out! is it possible the the harness/pipes have a different route on RHD versions, so we don't experience the problem?

i hope you've got it sorted by now, and can give us the benefit of your endeavours!

[ehancock]

I have my 91 LS400 starter apart now. I jacked the rear coolant bypass pipe up enough to get tools on the two bolts. It was very slow and difficult :yack: removing the two starter mounting bolts. It is not necessary to remove the rear bypass completely, just jack it up without removing it. The wiring harness makes removing the rear bypass pipe almost impossible.

The problem with the starter appears to have been the ground side starter contact which was worn down so thin it was making intermittent contact. The positive side contact and the plunger contact plate appear to be worn only slightly.

The brushes and commutator are still in good condition, but it was definitely time to remove a huge buildup of brush dust which would have caused problems soon.

After 13 years and 240,000Km the starter does need attention. It is too bad it is such a huge job to do.

Putting it all back together is going to be a challenge, but I photographed things as they came apart so with patience it can be done.

[GreyBeard]

thanks for your input - mine must be in a similar state i guess. did you take digital pictures? could you email the most useful ones to me? hope all goes well with the re-installing!

[ehancock]

Hello Greybeard

Yes I took lots of digital photos. Not sure how to attach them to this board though. Any suggestions.

[GreyBeard]

if you click on 'reply to this topic' there is a box for attachments down on the left centre below the message box, with max capacity of 102400 thingies, so not much room for a jpeg over 100k. someone else may make a suggestion, but mine would be to send me an email (by pressing 'email' button i guess!). just in case, i'll send you a PM with my email address.

[GreyBeard]

sorry - click on 'add reply'

[ehancock]

I have many photos but all over 100K so will send via email to you Bob. I just have to find a few moments to sort thru relevent photos. I'm picking up all my parts today and will start re-assembling.

Ernie

[GreyBeard]

thanks for the pics, ernie, you wouldn't think the starter would run with so much dust inside (and if lexus are so cute with longevity, why don't they design it out?)

having studied the pics some more, would a spot of weld hold the bolthead in place, then just undo the nut (or is the nut off something else, and the bolt goes into a tapped hole?)

thanks anyway for the insight.

Bob

[ehancock]

91 LS400 starter is now repaired and works just fine. Wow, what a job, especially those two bolts securing the starter to the block.

Now I notice my power steering pump is starting to leak. New topic is posted.