Hello,

I have a 1999 defender 90 TD5 (my first defender) and was having issues with the starter motor not consistently engaging. I read up and found that the solenoids often erode and it’s a case of ordering a replacement kit and switching them over.

After a good while of trying to loosen the top bolt it came free and I replaced the copper contacts. When it came to refitting I struggled to get the nut of the top bolt to thread through so I removed the starter motor again and made sure that it would indeed go back on whilst being able to see it.

This is when disaster struck, and having momentarily lost grip on the nut I dropped it…into the cavity that the starter motor connects onto…(I don’t even know what this part is but it looks as though a bolt shouldn’t be loose inside it!)

I have tried a snaking magnet but I am having no success in retrieving it. Would anybody be able to offer advice on a) how bad this foolish mistake is and b) options for solving said issue.

any and all help is greatly welcomed.

Thanks,
Max

 

If I understand correctly you dropped a nut into the bell housing. Depending on which transmission you have there may be an 'half moon shaped' inspection plate at the bottom of the bell housing which is located just aft of the oil pan. Or you may have a round inspection plate on the very underside of the bell housing. Both are easy to remove and replace. Just some small bolts.

 

How is that somebody's logic...damn where did that bolt go? Eh **** it I'll just drive home I'm sure it'll fall out somewhere along the way

 

Where do either of the posters above say anything about just driving the truck without locating the stray bolt?