Any suggestions, cannot remove the golden colored bolt on bottom of the starter.

Feedback from those who've done this is appreciated

 

Is the bolt not turning, or are you having issues getting to it?

 

Getting to it, although its a pain.

 

I actually did mine with the engine out of the car (story for another day), so I'm really not 100%. I can tell you according to the Bentley, you are supposed to remove the exhaust manifold, and do it from the top. Personally I might try to do it from the bottom, but as tight as it is down there, it might actually be less work to pull the manifold and do it that way.

 

I've done both, and still cannot get it to turn. It's not a reverse direction bolt is it?

 

No, it's standard thread. Every bell housing bolt, as well as the starter mounting bolts, is the same (length, diameter, thread pitch, etc). My experience was with a manual trans, but the Bentley didn't specify, so I presume it's the same.

It's not very helpful, but I've included a pic of my new starter, with the heat shield and wiring removed. It's an R53 starter and trans, but the mounting is identical.

 

By chance do you remember the wiring? There us a larger threaded lead and a small threaded lead. There are two larger gauge wires that I out on the larger threaded post which is closest to the fire wall and wanted to make sure its correct.

 

I've attached another photo, of how the car was wired prior to removing the original starter. As you can see, there are two lugged leads connected to the larger threaded post on the solenoid, and one smaller, attached to the smaller post, which is not really visible in that shot. The small one is in the wrapped harness, and the larger ones are in plastic split loom. I think the second larger one that runs towards the passenger side might go to the EPS motor, but I'm not 100%