Starter ate flywheel/Can I pull engine only from the top?
 

Hello, well my Christmas present this year was my starter motor eating the teeth off of my flywheel. Can I separate the engine from the trans and lift the engine only out of the bay from above? Do I have to start undoing parts of the suspension/etc. from below? I bartered with a friend for the car back in June. It is a 2000 S80. It has 170,000 miles on it. The car has been very well maintained since it was new(2 owners). Full major service 45,000 miles ago(timing chain, water pump, etc., all the big stuff).The motor runs great and the trans shifts smoothly. Downside...two large dents on passenger side from a snowplow last winter...they did not affect anything on the car other than appearance. I need 4 tires, an O2 sensor, all control arm bushings on both sides, and I will probably need an exhaust from the cats back within the next 12 months. Am I throwing good money, and 2 days labor just for the flywheel, into something that is not worth it??? Any thoughts, opinions, and experiences are more than welcome...and graciously appreciated. I like the car...but I had a Benz wagon years ago that bled me over 6 grand in the first 18 months. I can't go through that again. Thanks all!

A few have been on this road just to replace the rear main seal. Another option which I believe to be quicker and a bit easier is to go the way of removing the Trans and working on the engine in place.
Search the archives for more opinion.
Ed