GMC introduced the Yukon in 1992 and by 1995 Chevrolet released their version, known as the Tahoe. While not as large as the Suburban, the Tahoe is still a full-size SUV. The 5.7-liter Vortec V-8 engine requires a stout direct-current starter motor to turn the flywheel at initial start-up. A small pinion gear, known as the Bendix, ejects from the nose of the starter to spin the flywheel. If the starter suffers an internal gear failure, electrical failure or the Bendix fails to eject, you'll need to replace the starter before you can travel in your Tahoe again.
Drive the Tahoe's front wheels carefully onto two car ramps. Shift into park, set the emergency brake and shut the engine off. You can also jack the front of the vehicle up and support it on jack stands placed under the frame.
Brace one of the rear tires with two wheel chocks to prevent the Tahoe from rolling off the ramps. Open the hood. Disconnect the Tahoe's negative battery cable end from the battery side terminal using a battery wrench.
Climb under the front passenger side of the engine. Remove starter heat shield retaining nuts using a socket wrench and 3/8-inch socket. Pull the shield off the starter and set it aside.
Raise the jack stand so the head of the stand rests against the belly of the starter to support it. Unbolt the starter wiring from the back of the starter with the socket and wrench.
Remove the starter retaining bolts using the socket wrench and ½-inch socket. Remove the starter from the side of the engine by hand and set it aside. Be aware the starter motor is very heavy.
Place the new starter motor into position atop the jack stand. Install the two starter retaining bolts using the socket and wrench and tighten them to 35 foot-pounds. Remove the jack stand from under the starter.
Reinstall the starter wiring with the socket and wrench. Place the starter heat shield in position and tighten the retaining nuts to 75 inch-pounds with the socket and wrench. Climb out from under the Tahoe.
Connect the negative battery cable to the battery side post terminal with the battery wrench. Remove the wheel chocks, close the hood and carefully back the Tahoe off the ramps or lower it off the jack stands.
