Starter Hanging issues resolved
05-20-2014, 11:40 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Peachtree City, Ga
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 0
Received 64 Likes
on
54 Posts
Starter Hanging issues resolved
Ok - I have read a few post on replacing the starter because of hanging issue or engagement issues. Failure of the bendix to hold the starter gear on the flywheel ring gear and having it kit back - resulting in numerous failed attempts to start the car. Well that is the same issue that I ran into. Starter would engage some times and others times it would start to engage and then kit out. I would have to try 5 or more times to get it to work properly.
Read were most folks just bought a new starter, so down the road I went. But before I pulled the trigger on a new starter I decided to see if I could figure out what the issue was. I removed the starter and took it apart. ( see earlier post on easy way to remove top allen bolt, not to everyones flavor but worked for me)
One of the first things I noticed was that the starter had a lot of 20 year old grease build up on it. The grease was dried and hard caked. So I took the gear works apart and found the same to be true, old grease, dirt and a lot of drag on the gears and spline that should not have been there.
There are three main areas that you need to pay close attention to and clean well. Then re-lube with a graphite base grease and reassemble.
1. The bendix and shaft
2. The triple planetary gears and gear ring
3. The solenoid throw out fork
The first picture is of the bendix shaft, ring gear and triple gears.
The second pic is a view of the throw out fork that needs to be cleaned so it moves easily.
The third pic is of the bendix that rides on the shaft seen in pic one. This spins and is thrown into the flywheel ring gear by the solenoid and the fork seen in picture 2.
Picture 4 is of the main drive gear that engages the triple planetary gears and drives the bendix gear. Clean this area well and re-grease.
The 5th picture is of the three planetary gears. There was a lot of old grease here and inside the ring gear housing. Clean and replace the grease.
the 6th picture is of the planetary gears and ring gear assembled but without grease.
Seven is just a better picture of the throw fork. Works just like the clutch does, the brass looking ring is like the throwout bearing.
The last picture is my quick solution to the top allen bolt on the starter. In or out in about 15 seconds. Not for all, but if you have removed the padding and carpet and replaced with only carpet it is an easy solution.
On the shaft of the planetary gear housing there is a "C" clip that needs to be removed to get the bendix off. Remove this carefully as it is pretty tight and you do not want to stretch it out of shape. Getting it back on can be fun, but a proper sized socket will push it down on the shaft.
Since I cleaned and re-grease the starter my car has started every time with no further issues of failing to engage. So before you spring for a new starter think about just doing a little cleaning.
Read were most folks just bought a new starter, so down the road I went. But before I pulled the trigger on a new starter I decided to see if I could figure out what the issue was. I removed the starter and took it apart. ( see earlier post on easy way to remove top allen bolt, not to everyones flavor but worked for me)
One of the first things I noticed was that the starter had a lot of 20 year old grease build up on it. The grease was dried and hard caked. So I took the gear works apart and found the same to be true, old grease, dirt and a lot of drag on the gears and spline that should not have been there.
There are three main areas that you need to pay close attention to and clean well. Then re-lube with a graphite base grease and reassemble.
1. The bendix and shaft
2. The triple planetary gears and gear ring
3. The solenoid throw out fork
The first picture is of the bendix shaft, ring gear and triple gears.
The second pic is a view of the throw out fork that needs to be cleaned so it moves easily.
The third pic is of the bendix that rides on the shaft seen in pic one. This spins and is thrown into the flywheel ring gear by the solenoid and the fork seen in picture 2.
Picture 4 is of the main drive gear that engages the triple planetary gears and drives the bendix gear. Clean this area well and re-grease.
The 5th picture is of the three planetary gears. There was a lot of old grease here and inside the ring gear housing. Clean and replace the grease.
the 6th picture is of the planetary gears and ring gear assembled but without grease.
Seven is just a better picture of the throw fork. Works just like the clutch does, the brass looking ring is like the throwout bearing.
The last picture is my quick solution to the top allen bolt on the starter. In or out in about 15 seconds. Not for all, but if you have removed the padding and carpet and replaced with only carpet it is an easy solution.
On the shaft of the planetary gear housing there is a "C" clip that needs to be removed to get the bendix off. Remove this carefully as it is pretty tight and you do not want to stretch it out of shape. Getting it back on can be fun, but a proper sized socket will push it down on the shaft.
Since I cleaned and re-grease the starter my car has started every time with no further issues of failing to engage. So before you spring for a new starter think about just doing a little cleaning.
05-20-2014, 04:52 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Very nice Gus! You have proven you have both skill and patience!
That's cheating... nice starter bolt access hole.
That's cheating... nice starter bolt access hole.
05-21-2014, 01:42 AM
#5
Track Day
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's a great overview! I suspected that was all my starter needed, but with the huge PITA it was to get that top bolt out, I didn't want to experiment. I'll try cleaning up the old one I took out and see if I can resurect it for the next guy.
