HOW-TO Replace Starter on 97 Bonneville ?

[LouderBonneville]

Hello . my bonneville has been doing just fine since i bought it . but the starter is going out . it takes a few taps and will start .

So, it does not look real hard . but could use some pointers and maybe someone already made a step by step list/pics of this job ?

Thanks

[94SilverSSEi]

Pretty much
Disconnect wires from starter
Remove two mooring bolts and starter should come right out.

Then go opposite order to put it back together

[myfirstbonnie]

Disconnect the battery is the very first step. Electrical fireworks are very blinding when working in close quarters.

There is a dust cover that needs to come off to get to the mounting bolt. It is a PITA to get out sometimes.

[Silverjet]

Join you, i have a problem.
I have no spacer shims, and starter is installed in wrong position. Which size of those spacers?

[willwren]

I've never seen the shims used, nor have I found one that needed them. If your car does need shims, it's dependent on YOUR car. You can't shim like someone else and have it work.

Start adding very thin shims until the bendix gear does not impact the flywheel and the gears mesh properly.

[Jrs3800]

If you buy at starter for a 3800 and it has shims in the box...I'd leave it there...

[Silverjet]

The car is now repaired, and won't start because of starter installation problem. Mechanic is trying to add few washers, but he can't get the needed gap. And i can't find any dead car to remove the stock spacer shim.
Bonneville rarity in Russia.

[willwren]

You won't find any shims on ANY Bonneville or other GM H-Body. We don't use shims.

Our starters fit out of the box. What brand of starter did you buy?

[Silverjet]

I did not buy a starter, he has remained the same. AcDelco brand.
Not only Bonneville rarity, but LeSabre, and Olds 88 too. Russians afraid of old american cars.
It's hard to get some parts. For example: new starter costs 200$, brake pads 40$ etc
It seems that it is impossible to find a plate.