Just wanted to share with the forum my experience with replacing a starter on a 2007 Tundra CrewMax 5.7ltr 2wd.
When to go start my truck about 3 weeks ago and turned the key and heard a click then all power went dead. Engine did not ever crank. I though it was the battery as it was a cold day and the battery has not been replaced since new (5 1/2 years). Replaced the battery and went to go start it and again "click" and no power. Not even a constant rattle type click like a solenoid or something.
After doing some research that led me to believe it was the starter. I'm thinking, not so bad, starters are a rather easy component to change. Little did I know that a Tundra Starter (5.7) is completely tucked up under the right side exhaust manifold cover in two separate heat shields. This is different from the 4.7, as that starter is located under the intake manifold at the top of the engine. So, the adventure begins. I had no manual, thankfully somewhere on the internet was the instructions on how to remove the starter.
So I dug in with an array of metric tools. Off came the tire, and splash shields. Battery disconnected. Air box assembly removed. Serpentine belt removed. Power steering pump completely removed (messy). It was tricky to get the bolts behind the pulley off. Now the outside heat-shield that cover the exhaust manifold. Remove the entire oil dipstick tube assembly. Keep in mind you are now working through the little space in the wheel-well between the fame, suspension, and inner fender. Slide the heat shield out without mangling it. Your exhaust manifold is now exposed. You will now have to remove the catalytic converter pipe from underneath the truck where it connects to the muffler and the other end at the exhaust manifold. Disconnect the Oxygen sensors first. With the catalytic converter assembly removed you can now patiently remove all the fasteners for the exhaust manifold. You will have to be creative with extensions, swivels, short and deep-well sockets. Alas, all the nuts are removed. From underneath you will have to pull the exhaust manifold out twisting and turning. Now remove the heat shield that covers the starter. There it is! Remove the two mounting bolts and disconnect the electrical connections. Wiggle the starter out from underneath.
Took it to my local NAPA store and they tested it, sure enough the starter was bad. A replacement starter is like finding a needle in the haystack. None of the box store auto parts store had it in stock. It must be special ordered and there is a core charge. I went ahead and ordered it from NAPA and it took 14 days for it to get here. (Christmas & New Year's didn't help). I probably could have taken to a rebuild shop for a quicker turn around.
NAPA starter $145.00
Toyota dealership $475.00
Autozone $134.00
Well the starter finally got here. It took me a good 4-1/2 hours to put it all back together in reverse order. You may need to replace the exhaust manifold gaskets if they get damaged. It seemed easier installing it then removing it. Just had to purge the power steering system to get all the air bubbles out.
I did check with the local Toyota dealership and they wanted close to $1300 to replace the starter (including cost of starter). That is just an estimate, probably more out the door though.
Additional Tips: Carefully remove the splash shields/aprons from the wheel well.
Keep track of all the fasteners there will be a lot
Plug the power steering lines to keep debris out
Take pictures of your progress and each step
Have a lot of patience!
Hope this helps for anyone needing to replace their starter. For an average wrench turner, it is a medium to hard task but do-able. Save yourself close to $1000 by doing it yourself.
GTOHarley
When to go start my truck about 3 weeks ago and turned the key and heard a click then all power went dead. Engine did not ever crank. I though it was the battery as it was a cold day and the battery has not been replaced since new (5 1/2 years). Replaced the battery and went to go start it and again "click" and no power. Not even a constant rattle type click like a solenoid or something.
After doing some research that led me to believe it was the starter. I'm thinking, not so bad, starters are a rather easy component to change. Little did I know that a Tundra Starter (5.7) is completely tucked up under the right side exhaust manifold cover in two separate heat shields. This is different from the 4.7, as that starter is located under the intake manifold at the top of the engine. So, the adventure begins. I had no manual, thankfully somewhere on the internet was the instructions on how to remove the starter.
So I dug in with an array of metric tools. Off came the tire, and splash shields. Battery disconnected. Air box assembly removed. Serpentine belt removed. Power steering pump completely removed (messy). It was tricky to get the bolts behind the pulley off. Now the outside heat-shield that cover the exhaust manifold. Remove the entire oil dipstick tube assembly. Keep in mind you are now working through the little space in the wheel-well between the fame, suspension, and inner fender. Slide the heat shield out without mangling it. Your exhaust manifold is now exposed. You will now have to remove the catalytic converter pipe from underneath the truck where it connects to the muffler and the other end at the exhaust manifold. Disconnect the Oxygen sensors first. With the catalytic converter assembly removed you can now patiently remove all the fasteners for the exhaust manifold. You will have to be creative with extensions, swivels, short and deep-well sockets. Alas, all the nuts are removed. From underneath you will have to pull the exhaust manifold out twisting and turning. Now remove the heat shield that covers the starter. There it is! Remove the two mounting bolts and disconnect the electrical connections. Wiggle the starter out from underneath.
Took it to my local NAPA store and they tested it, sure enough the starter was bad. A replacement starter is like finding a needle in the haystack. None of the box store auto parts store had it in stock. It must be special ordered and there is a core charge. I went ahead and ordered it from NAPA and it took 14 days for it to get here. (Christmas & New Year's didn't help). I probably could have taken to a rebuild shop for a quicker turn around.
NAPA starter $145.00
Toyota dealership $475.00
Autozone $134.00
Well the starter finally got here. It took me a good 4-1/2 hours to put it all back together in reverse order. You may need to replace the exhaust manifold gaskets if they get damaged. It seemed easier installing it then removing it. Just had to purge the power steering system to get all the air bubbles out.
I did check with the local Toyota dealership and they wanted close to $1300 to replace the starter (including cost of starter). That is just an estimate, probably more out the door though.
Additional Tips: Carefully remove the splash shields/aprons from the wheel well.
Keep track of all the fasteners there will be a lot
Plug the power steering lines to keep debris out
Take pictures of your progress and each step
Have a lot of patience!
Hope this helps for anyone needing to replace their starter. For an average wrench turner, it is a medium to hard task but do-able. Save yourself close to $1000 by doing it yourself.
GTOHarley
