The manual says to take the intake manifold off to replace the starter. Obviously this is a lot of work. I saw a few videos around of people replacing from the bottom. There were none that I could find on the sante fe DM so I'm posting this thread. I have no videos or photos but can give a pretty simple discussion.
There is a vacuum pump for the power brakes mounted by 2 bolts. Has one hose and one electrical connector attached. very easy to remove and this is your primary access. The top starter bolt is totally hidden. you'll have to work blind. If you have large hands, this may be a problem. I am pretty thin. Once you get the bolts broken loose, they are easier to back out with a 1/4" ratchet. they are 14mm. I couldn't get my fingers on them to spin them out.
Once you get the bolts out and the starter is loose, it will be captured behind the coolant lines to the oil cooler. If your coolant needs changing, now would be a good time. then you can disconnect these two lines. Otherwise you wrestle it around to take the positive battery cable off and unplug one connector, then slip it out.
Replace in opposite order. I got it done in about 2 hours.
--Jerry
There is a vacuum pump for the power brakes mounted by 2 bolts. Has one hose and one electrical connector attached. very easy to remove and this is your primary access. The top starter bolt is totally hidden. you'll have to work blind. If you have large hands, this may be a problem. I am pretty thin. Once you get the bolts broken loose, they are easier to back out with a 1/4" ratchet. they are 14mm. I couldn't get my fingers on them to spin them out.
Once you get the bolts out and the starter is loose, it will be captured behind the coolant lines to the oil cooler. If your coolant needs changing, now would be a good time. then you can disconnect these two lines. Otherwise you wrestle it around to take the positive battery cable off and unplug one connector, then slip it out.
Replace in opposite order. I got it done in about 2 hours.
--Jerry
