I HATE MY STARTER SO MUCH (1987 Supra)
 

Okay, so, I've been attempting to remove my starter and put in a new one for a week now. I got the bottom bolt off fine, and also another nut that held the ground or something to it, all from underneath the car. Now, the only way I can get at the top bolt is from the top, and it is in such a bad spot! I can see either side of the bolt, and can only get a wrench on one side, the one closest to me (after snaking my arm all the way down). This doesn't do me any good, because I can't get any leverage, and can only use my fingers/thumb to attempt to move it! To top if off, theres a nice big thick hose right wear my hand needs to be.
I found a picture tutorial for taking out the starter from underneath the car only, but it looks like lots of stuff was taken out to make it a breeze.
Does anyone know how to get this top bolt off?? If it can only be done from the bottom, with a socket extension, what can be taken off to get at it better?
This is really driving me nuts! I've gone too far to have it towed to a shop to have them put my starter in!

I've taken it off at least 3 times already. I've found the best way at it is to go from the bottom for both bolts. The bottom one is easy. For the top one, just reach over and feel where the bolt is and then put a ratchet up there handle first and just mate it to the bolt. Not much room to loosen it but it will work.

Order the 89+ starter. The bolt holes are threaded which eliminates the need for the nuts. It'll be a much easier install.

I can really do the top one from the bottom with just a ratchet? I'll give it a try tonight, I didn't even try because it seemed like there was no way I could get my hand up there! Thanks.

I couldnt get mine off either but i got the starter from the 85 supra off just fine but come to find out it wasnt my starter anyway lol the starter works fine after hot wiring the starter to the battery lol

I had the same problem, it all depends where the flats of the nut end up from the previous installation. The fun part is getting the thing out afterwards and trying to remember how you ever did it. I found using a flexible ratchet ring spanner useful for those awkward places.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...ingSpanner.jpg

also what you can do is use an extension and a swivel socket from the front, under the intake to get to the bolt while holding the rear of the nut or socket (the transmission side) with a wrench or one of those ratchet wrenches.

good luck... its a lot easier when you have a lift or the intake manifold off the vehicle.

I'm surprised you could see and get to the solenoid wire,nut.

Just go to it. Dont stop working on the car until you get it. It'll be good experience.

Its also a lot easier with the head off the car lol.
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/9867/1002139qw3.jpg

All right, so I've been trying to get at this top bolt with a ratchet through the empty spaces that are circled, but there's no way I can get anything up there. Are you suggesting putting a wrench on that side (from above) and instead trying to get at the other side of the bolt (the one facing the front) with a ratchet+extension?
http://www.vunlab.com/images/starter_1.jpg
http://www.vunlab.com/images/starter_2.jpg

extension from front of engine, rachet wrench on bell housing side, pretty tough to do it but u gotta do it..

IVE BEEN TRYING FOR THREE DAYS AND I CAN NOT GET THAT STUPID BOLT!!!! my hands are way to big to fit up in there and get it to line up. well i guess i got beat. very mad about it, i still have to deal with the CLICK. and im not sure how i am to hook up a wire to the starter from the batter, do i use pos, or neg? thanks for any help!

I ended up taking it into a local shop and having them put it in for me...pretty annoying for just one dumb bolt. Now, I have a different problem though: I have to hold the ignition over for 1-2 seconds before it catches and starts. I thought it was because it's been freezing all winter, but it still does it even when it's been 40 degrees F here this past week. I basically replaced everything in my ignition but my actual distributor+wires, so I don't know what could be causing the hold up...