Starter re-build

Jerbearyukon · Post by **Jerbearyukon** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:25 pm

I think my starter is going on me....doesn't engage all the time now....Wondering if anyone has done this?

Is there an aftr market one anyone has tried....or just get the bosh one?

Have a great xmas everyone

jer Bear

Minus 38 in alta today....crap it's cold when you add the wind

Profpinz · Post by **Profpinz** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:13 pm

I've rebuilt mine a number of times ....It's a simple piece of kit, but the bendix appears unique to the Pinny!

The main problem is the centre and nose bushes wear (especially if you get muddy water/mud in the bell housing etc) and then the starter motor poles.
It's easy to machine up new bushes and clean up the commutator, but it's fiddly getting the springs and brushes back in etc.
A piece of 1.5 mm welding wire with a small hook on the end is perfect for hooking the spring end into location.

I've never found a perfect match for the starter in it's entirity, but some early Mercedes Benz cars come close.... the problem is the length of the "nose" and the Bendix!

Merry Christmas.

30C here today....lovely sunny day with bright blue sky.

hrafn · Post by **hrafn** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 4:52 am

jer Bear,

Reach down and grab the starter - see if you can wiggle it. It may be that
the starter bolts are loose. Also, If the starter appears to be loose, it may
be a bad torque plate between the starter and the bellhousing.

The torque plate is two pieces of steel sandwiching a layer of rubber. The
torque plate is bolted to the bellhousing and the starter is bolted to the
torque plate. If the rubber deteriorates or rips, the starter will hang down
and the the bendix gear won't always engage the flywheel.

Jerbearyukon · Post by **Jerbearyukon** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 7:36 pm

Thanks I will check it when I get home after the holiday

The truck only has 30 k on her...whats the life expectancy of the starters??

I know there are variables, but just the average.

Jer Bear

Profpinz · Post by **Profpinz** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:00 pm

Hard to say, but the flexible mounting does tend to break down quicker than normal if oil (or other contaminants/petrol etc) leaks onto the rubber.
The vulcanising tends to de-laminate.

BTW: There is a part (9.01-Fig 8.1) that was added by SDP to the parts list to stop the starter completely falling out when the rubber broke down.

Jerbearyukon · Post by **Jerbearyukon** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:45 pm

like I say I will have a look when I get home in the new year - thanks everyone

jer Bear

Profpinz · Post by **Profpinz** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:04 pm

OK...Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and try to stay warm!