Carscw, I understand what you are saying and agree with you to a point. From what I have read from different posters on this forum, many of them shouldn't be told to hit, cut or tighten anything. In this case the person just wanted to know how to remove the starter. I think he was going to bench test it. Most starters are mounted where tapping on the sides are the only way to hit them. Tapping on the bottom can dislodge brushes and brush connections. I used to be the starter rebuilder at the last place I worked at, rebuilding an average of 20 starters a week. I found broken magnets, brushes, commutators, and bearings caused by hitting the outside if the starter. As any of the good techs on this forum know, a hammer mechanic normally does more bad than good. As a retired instructor, I have to point out bad advice being given out and why, even though some don't want to hear it.