removing the starter
 

there are 2 bolts that i took out, 2 of 14mm and a 12mm. is there anything else i need to do? the starter won't come out, i gave it a lot of moving, pounding, prying, etc. starter still would not come loose.

Coupe or sedan? Maybe one of the teeth on the starter is stuck on the flywheel. Twist and turn and maybe gently try to tap the starter free.

Screenshot of the FSM for an 06 coupe.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/g35driv...755f5da59f.png

I think both bolts should be 14mm. Anyway is it possible you removed one of the other bellhousing bolts instead of the ones that actually hold in the starter?

thanks, i already broke the solenoid trying to twist and turn, even tried tapping with hammer and flathead.

thanks, i can check again but i'm pretty sure it was the mounting bolts for the starter

It will literally fall out in your lap when you take the correct bolts off. Get a good light in there and take some pictures and post them here.

I hope I'm just being an idiot. I put the two 14mm bolts back so you can see https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/g35driv...ddfe7bae61.jpg

I think I remember bolts being physically on the starter you have to remove.

that's what i'm wondering all this time but that's not what the manuals or DIY around the web is saying. :dunno:

Those are the ones, top one has the harness bracket, bottom one just screws into the starter. So youre saying you took both those bolts COMPLETELY out and the starter still won't pop out??

yeah two 14mm mounting bolt and 12mm from the B harness. completely removed and the damn thing won't even move :confused2:

Get a block of wood and a hammer and tap it like it was a drift to see if it is just seized up do to due to electrolysis, one of your bolts has a lot of corrosion on it and that usually means that it did not have a very good ground and the metal is starting to deteriorate, it is possible the housing itself is slightly seized on to the upper oil pan.

I have only ever seen this one time before but one of the bolts had basically turned into white paste from so much electrolysis it was completely destroyed.

i'll try that, thanks man

Call me crazy but looking at your picture I see another bolt at the top, kind of blurry in the background, that appears to be in the same part of the housing that the other two bolts are in. If that's so it would need to come as well I would think.