RR L322 SC 4.2L 2005
Having suffered more and more of the infamous ‘click’ when trying to start - temporarily fixed by fully charging or replacing the battery - I decided it was time to replace the starter motor, mileage is 170k after all.
This is doable and there are better guides available than mine but just wanted to reinforce the key point (for me at least) that to get to the top rear starter motor mounting bolt a 3/8 x 3-1/2” extension bar is required. Note this is the effective length, the actual overall length is just under 4”. Simplest way to get such an extension is to take a standard cheapo 6” extension, cut the end off and file the cut end square to fit the 3/8” 13mm socket.
Note 1/2” sockets and extensions are too big to get in behind the starter.
It took me about 4 hours of struggling with this bolt before learning this key point. Once learned, removal was possible, difficult but possible.
So I used: 3/8” 13mm socket + 3/8” x 3-1/2” extension + 3/8” universal coupling + 3/8 x 6” extension + 3/8-1/2 adapter + 1/2” x 9” extension + 1/2” x 9” extension + 1/2” ratchet.
The ratchet ends up in the forward section of the front wheel well.
The bolt is not desperately right, just bloody awkward to get at !
Once mastered, actually okay to remove and re-tighten.
I fitted a cheapo EuroParts starter motor - £125, rather than the £450 genuine item, time will tell if that was a good decision
Having suffered more and more of the infamous ‘click’ when trying to start - temporarily fixed by fully charging or replacing the battery - I decided it was time to replace the starter motor, mileage is 170k after all.
This is doable and there are better guides available than mine but just wanted to reinforce the key point (for me at least) that to get to the top rear starter motor mounting bolt a 3/8 x 3-1/2” extension bar is required. Note this is the effective length, the actual overall length is just under 4”. Simplest way to get such an extension is to take a standard cheapo 6” extension, cut the end off and file the cut end square to fit the 3/8” 13mm socket.
Note 1/2” sockets and extensions are too big to get in behind the starter.
It took me about 4 hours of struggling with this bolt before learning this key point. Once learned, removal was possible, difficult but possible.
So I used: 3/8” 13mm socket + 3/8” x 3-1/2” extension + 3/8” universal coupling + 3/8 x 6” extension + 3/8-1/2 adapter + 1/2” x 9” extension + 1/2” x 9” extension + 1/2” ratchet.
The ratchet ends up in the forward section of the front wheel well.
The bolt is not desperately right, just bloody awkward to get at !
Once mastered, actually okay to remove and re-tighten.
I fitted a cheapo EuroParts starter motor - £125, rather than the £450 genuine item, time will tell if that was a good decision
