starter (removal)

[rwaw]

Seems like the starter motor has given up the ghost after several months of worsening grinding noises and increasingly difficult to start. So I thought I'd remove it.............
Read all the threads, found the very useful tip of removing the cover on the right hand side of the transmission tunnel to gain access to the 10mm Allen bolt and then I got to the bit of "...and then the starter motor just drops out..."
Well it didn't; all sorts of bits get in the way: exhaust pipe, steering rack, oil pipe etc etc.
I'm afraid I don't know where to go next. The starter which BTW is extremely heavy is currently resting on the exhaust pipe while I'm desperately awaiting the fruits of your collective knowledge.
Help ! :evil:

280SL 1969 Euro RHD

[n/a]

Hmmmmmmmm, that's watcha' get for drivin' on the wrong side of the road!

I was driving south of Birmingham this summer with the wife.  I thought sure we would be killed with all the high speed "circles" we encountered instead of intersections.  It's difficult to hold back the reflex to pull to the right when a sudden oncoming car looks like it is in the wrong lane!  A harrowing experience.

Anyway, sure hope that you don't have to pull the engine to get to the starter....heh, heh.

Just kidding.  

Good luck,
Don

[rwaw]

Being RHD certainly seems to make matters a lot more difficult, obviously the steering column passes on the same RHD side of bell housing/engine therefore making it very tight for removing/mounting the starter motor.
Managed to get it out eventually but God knows how to put it back on.

Any UK / RHD people have any suggestions ??

280SL 1969 Euro RHD

[Naj ✝︎]

Hello, rwaw,
Had a look at my '68 280 yesterday. Its has a manual gearbox and manual steering. There is enough of a gap between the exhaust and steering gear to remove the starter, which I recently had changed to the later higher HP one.
What exhaust have you got? Sometimes, when stainless exhausts are made locally and made individually for a car, they are not shaped the same as original???
Sorry, not much help.
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[rwaw]

Thanks Naj,
The exhaust is standard (rusting) MB issue fitted at time of purchase from MB-Direct in January 2003.
Forgot to mention that mine is automatic / power steering, maybe that makes a difference as well ?

280SL 1969 Euro RHD

[rwaw]

Naj, sorry I forgot to ask: is your new starter a lot lighter (the beast weighs a ton) and how much did you pay and from where ??

280SL 1969 Euro RHD

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi.rwaw,
I dont think there is much difference in weight.
Whereabouts in the UK are you?
You can use a Bosch or Hella dealer. They both do exchange units.
Part #s:
MB: 002 151 7101
Bosch: New: 0 001 314 018; Exchange: 0 986 010 850
Hella: 8EA 726 241 001; Exchange short code CS81

Please note that these are part numbers for left hand drive vehicles and the solenoid is mounted at a slightly different angle (further away from engine block) to the RHD starter (solenoid closer to engine). However it fitted my 280 with no problem and there is plenty of room to spare between solenoid and steering box. I believe it would fit to your car with PAS as easily but I have no experience of that.
http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/naj/200541620454_StarterLhRh01.JPG
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL