2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4 5.7L Starter Replacement Questions

2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4 5.7L Starter Replacement Questions

First time posting. The starter is disconnected, but we’ve encountered issues with two of the recommended ways to remove it from the engine compartment.

#1 Through the wheel well. One step in this method is partially disconnecting the passenger CV Axle from the Differential. We’ve hit the lip of the axle using a ball peen hammer and a cold chisel, crowbar, punch, etc. but the axle has not budged. We believe we’re using sufficient force since the lip has become dented (see pic below). Does it matter if the vehicle was in 4WD at the time it refused to start? On one forum, a person suggested prying the two apart using a crowbar. There is a thin metal ring in the open space we expect will be damaged if we do that. Should we do this and just replace the thin, silver ring?

#2 Out the bottom and towards the rear. A couple videos showed removing the starter after disconnecting and plugging two pliable rubber coolant hoses but our starter is stuck between the manifold, frame and two rigid metal black tubes (marked with green dots in the pic below). The two rubber coolant hoses are off camera and out of the way. We see the two rigid black tubes in videos but they’re never in the way of the starter. We’re unsure what they are and whether they can be disconnected and plugged.

Apologies for the long post and thanks for any assistance people can offer!

 

Those are transmission cooler lines. Two M10 bolts.

 

Thank you! So no problem disconnecting temporarily and plugging?

 

No problem.

 

Thanks much!