I have a 2004 f-150 w/a 5.4. Well the starter just went this morning and I climbed under to try removing it but It seems as though I can only get to the bottom bolt . This is a problem!!! I was hoping some one had an Idea or has done this before and maybe let me know what I have to do to replace it without taking it to the shop as Times are tight and I can barely afford to pay for the starter itself, Never mind paying a mechanic to do it. Any suggestions?

 

There should be 3 bolts holding it on. The bottom one you already got off as thats the easy one.

The next one on the side I think I remember using a wrench to get at, it was a bit harder but not extremely.

The last one at the top is the one that is a PITA. Basically, you have to take a 13mm socket and place it on the bolt by feel using your left hand. Then you need a 6 inch extension on the ratchet and you have to connect it to the socket using your right hand. If you jack up the truck a bit and get directly under the thing its a bit easier.

Took me a while the first time but its definitely doable if you have a 13mm socket, and an extension.

Good Luck,

- Erik

 

My experience has been that Ford starters rarely fail. Usually if your doing diagnostics via parts replacement you replace the starter only to find out its a loose connection a bad relay or battery.

 

I just went through this last weekend on an 2001 Expdy 5.4.

Disconnect the battery. Then undo the wires on the starter. There are only two you have to disconnect. The braided wire strap that connects the starter to the solenoid doesn't have to be undone, as the replacement will already have this connection made. These take a 10mm socket/wrench IIRC.

I'd recommend starting with the SOB on top of the starter. One you get the SOB out, the rest of it is pretty simple. Like scruffy said, use a 13mm socket and a 6-inch extension. I put both of these together, found the head of the SOB with my left hand and basically tried to touch my left index finger with the socket while holding the extension with the socket with my right hand. Once I had the hook-up made, I held it in place and put my ratchet in the extension. Then I was able to break it loose. Thank God it didn't have 200 ft/lbs of torque. It broke loose pretty easily. After a couple of swings with the ratchet, it came out by hand. Then I removed the other two bolts. I've got a set of those ratcheting combination wrenches that I used for these.

Installing the new one is pretty much the same steps in reverse. Put the lower two in first, but don't torque them down; just get them snug. Then put the SOB on top in. Get it tight and then tighten up the bottom two. Make your connections and hook up the battery.

All in all, it's not that bad. Took me about an hour and a half, and about half of that was dealing with the SOB.

 

I think I need a new starter but don't know for sure.

 

What's happening thats making you think you may need a new starter? If you give us a bit of info we might be able to give you some help.

- Erik

 

I used a universal with the extension, did not have to fight it as bad.

 

Help, I'm getting my A** kicked by the PITA / SOB bolt on my starter, which way do I go after it....from the wheel well or under...just hand tools, no air, help anybody

 

I found disconnecting the cables first made it a little easier. To access the top bolts, you have to get the extensions in the right order to place the ratchet just past the starter, to give yourself plenty of room to unbolt it. I was using about a 3" extension, a u-joint and a deep well socket to get it in that happy location.
If that's a no-go, you could always get to the top bolts from above the frame, but you'll have to pull the inner fender liner to do so. Sometimes it's faster and easier to just do stuff like that, than doing it the "easy" way.