Technical attaching the starter cable - HELP!!

[Fayray]

Oh wise ones, having removed my 500F starter and fitted new brushes I managed to get it back on successfully except for the cable. When I removed it the split pin had all but fallen out due to not being split and right now I'm struggling to see how it's even possible to line up the holes on the cable fork with the hole in the lever while holding the pin ready to insert. All this is virtually done blind. Am I missing a trick that'll make it easier?:bang:

 

[fiat500]

I'm no "wise one" as is proven by the fact that I resisted the action of fitting a solenoid starter. :bang: The job is a PITA (and obviously disconnect the battery first). I find it easier to fit the pin whilst lying on my back and when really frustrated I put the pin in upside-down. In theory this is unsafe as is might fall out but is very unlikely if you use a properly sized pin. When you do get it in, don't be over-zealous in bending back the legs; I simply bend one side just enough to make it secure. Don't forget that you may need to take up slack after the first attempt or at a later date by using an alternative hole on the yoke.
You can also help yourself, (although with more messing at the other end), by taking out the starter/choke-lever assembly and removing the cable connection there first to give you more slack at the starter end.
I remember a long time ago that I once got so mad that I connected the cable to the starter motor before it was slotted into the engine, which allowed me to fit the pin more easily.
Good luck and mind your head under that car.

 

[Fayray]

thanks Peter, I'm going to have another go today. I had wondered about attacking it from underneath but though it'd be too much of a reach. Did you raise the car up just a bit?

 

[SDHXIII]

I recently repositioned a loose cable, I got to it by jacking the car in front of the rear wheel, putting the rear end on stands and then sliding under on my back, head first, from the rear.

Bit of a faff, but managed to get that pin in in the end.

Stuart

 

[Fayray]

Thanks Stuart, I'll give that a go

 

[Fayray]

Success!! What seemed impossible yesterday was possible today thanks to Peter and Stuart's advice. I could see a lot more clearly from underneath but couldn't get the pin in. But now with a better picture in my head of what I needed to do I was able to get it in from above.
There are 2 holes on the fork but I could only manage the 1st hole which left quite a bit of slack. However, the starter operates fine, in fact it operates like it never has before in my ownership now it has new brushes and a good clean. Do you think I should try to take up the cable slack and locate the pin through the 2nd hole? I could do this with another hand moving the lever slightly against the spring. I only had my pair available today.

 

[SDHXIII]

That is what I managed to do, take off the slack and have the leaver slightly closer to the starter.

That said, if it works well as is, why move it!

Good work,
Stuart