OK to remove steering linkage to remove starter?

No, the current starter is also a mini (sorry, I should've been clearer), which makes it that much more frustrating - it's supposed to fit better. I have no problem pulling the exhaust stud out, the cooling system is already opened (pulling out your engine temp sensor will proceed to spew coolant all over your engine compartment, who knew...), so losing a little more coolant won't hurt much. I can just get two nuts and clamp them down on eachother and then pull the stud out with the inner nut.