Hey there guys. Kind of stuck on how I get to the rear (towards the firewall) bolt on the starter of this 1994 SSEi.

Little "Tabs" make it impossible to get a socket around them (the bolts), and very difficult for an open end wrench.

Is there anything else i need to take off to do this easier?
Kind of tough getting at this on the ground.

Thanks a ton!

BTW...my intermittant issue with the power of this car turned out to be a bad battery.
The cells were "swollen" and would literally cause the lead acid to "short out".

Crazy!

Any chance of getting a picture?
We changed my son'* 99 starter & there weren't any tabs in the way.

Hmm...to be honest it was after work at a friends parking lot, so I didn't get a phenominal view.

Searching has said to remove a plastic "shield".

I didn't see any shield...and haven't seen anyone post pics of this in threads i've searched on.

Will give er' a shot tomorrow if it isn't raining (or snowing, is it Denver )

WIll take pics if I can't get it done, but I think i'll get it.

yeah, there is a plastic shield for the flywheel that can be removed with a 10mm wrench. i think theres only 2 bolts that hold it in place.

Two bolts and tweak it a bit. It'* a flexible plastic cover you'll have to bend to get out. It'* actually two pieces, but you only have to remove the piece towards the front, not the rear.

When removed, you'll see the teeth of your flywheel.

Hmmm, stock starter bolts have a flange, but no tab. Perhaps you have thin, metal shims that have been placed between the starter frame and the engine block to improve the alignment of the starter gear teeth with the teeth on the flex plate. These often have tabs on them, but are not meant to be bent down against the bolt heads. :? After removing the plastic cover(*), if you are impeded by a tab, bend it (them) out of the way and remove the bolts.

Update...didn't bring camera though.

Removed the flywheel cover. "Helped" get to the rear bolt....but there was this little plastic piece that went in between the starter and the tranny that
literally blocked the ability to get any sort of socket on those bolts.

FINALLY got the starter out of the hole after braking the plastic.....literally I don't think it does anything as it doesn't appear to shim the starter at all.

How the hell do you pull the starter out? Pull both fans out?

There is ZERO space to get it removed unless I guess i do that.

Whoever said 15 minutes to do this is high on drugs, lol.

Will bring camera tomorrow!

i did my starter not too long ago. and yes there is a plastic piece right in the way i used a rachet wrench for mine and then i shaved the plastic for re-install

there is room to remove the starter you just have to wiggle and turn and pull on it lol.. it may take a little bit but you can get it