Hey Norm,

Ok, so I tried taking off the starter housing before work, I was faced with the nut on top and underneath a catch to engage the crank where the gregorys says use special tool tl18040v. You may also use a suitable ring spanner. I don't have a size 24 ring spanner, but I have a socket that fits the tops nut perfectly.

So, I tried a spanner on the catch underneath and tried a socket on the top nut but the nut refuses to shift, and the spanner comes adrift. I tried two screwdrivers, one in each side of the catch (as it spins open if you try to attach it the wrong way), and they came adrift. I tried locking pliers on the catch, put it in a vice, and use the socket on the top nut. The locking pliers come loose even though I have them clamped tight. I tried multiple times with each set of tools, no go so far, even after spraying the nut with wd40 in the hopes of unseizing it.

So, is there an easier way to do this operation? I am worried I will start buggering up the catch assembly as there are a few scrapes and bits of metal coming adrift now. Or do I need to use a ring spanner on the nut?