Does anybody have a DIY link for starter replacement? I searched and found a post about it, but the link was dead.

 

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2269482

Just used this a couple weeks ago. BTW, you only really need to undo the bottom start bolt from below and nothing else. You can skip all the extra steps that dont refer to removing the starter. Plus you will be pulling it up through the top.

 

looks like a pain in the ***

I have this problem that just started recently, every now and then it just won't start. There's no pattern to it, it cranks fine, just doesn't 'catch' and start every now and then. I assume it's the starter

 

The removal and install is actually rather easy. Just be sure to spray the bolts with some penetrating lube so you dont break the nut holding the ground to the underside bolt like i did. I just swapped the bolts and it was no big deal since i had another spare bolt laying around. If you just remove the battery and box, you can basically remove everything from the top and just have to go underneith to undo the bottom bolt. If you remove that first, then you can just finish removing the top bolt and pull it right out the top and not have to mess with undoing the hardline brackets. Also i think i just used a socket and didnt even need to fiddle with a wrench or different sockets.

 

If it's turning over, it's not the starter...

 

never had a starter go bad on any car I've owned, so this is new ground