VY SS Starter Motor Replacement

Hi guys.

I've got a VY SS Series 1 Manual and I thought I needed to replace the starter motor on the car as it was making a loud (grumbally) noise as I went to start the car. I've found a few threads about starter motor replacements on other models (VZ LS2) but nothing specifically about the VT-VZ LS1.

I'm assuming the VT, VX & VZ will be the same as my VY.

A lot of people say that you need to drop the steering rack but this isn't a nessisity. There are plenty of ways to skin a cat so I'd thought I'd share my recent experience step by step... Keeping In mind, this was done on the floor of my shed as I didn't have access to a hoist. If you did, the process might be a bit different.

- Disconnect the battery and move it out of the way.
- Jack the car up from the cross member behind the sump and secure the car on jack stands close to where the cats are located.
- Disconnect the driver side spark plugs from the driver side as the starter motor is located underneath the exhaust manifold.
- Undo the 6 x 10mm Exhaust Bolts holding the exhaust manifold on.
- Undo the 1 x 15m bolt holding the dipstick to the head. (Take the dip stick out and gently twist and pull the dipstick tube out of the sump... Be sure to inspect the O-Ring and clean it before it goes back in).
- Get underneath the car and undo the 2 x 13mm Nuts holding the headers to the cats (presuming you're running a factory exhaust system).
- Pull the exhaust manifold out and you will see a heat shield held on by a 1 x 13mm bolt.
- Pull the heat shield off and you'll be presented with the starter motor.
- Undo the associated bolts and replace the item.

In my particular case, the small power wire going to the starter became disconnected somehow so all I needed to do was reconnect it and it was good to go.

To ensure the starter is fine, once it's connected, connect the battery and the spark plug leads. If you turn the key and you can hear the starter engage, you know it's right.

Proceed to bolt everything back together and you're all done

Hope this helps!