Starter / Flywheel woes

[SHOGIRL1994]

Hopefully someone can confirm my theory here. If it makes no sense, just let me know.
For about a week I have been getting a loud metal-on-metal grinding noise while cranking the car, but only right before the engine starts. While doing the rod bearings a few days ago, I noticed the edges of the teeth on the flywheel nearest the starter have been slightly sheared off.
Hopefully this pic helps describe:

I'm thinking that the starter is not disengaging fast enough before the flywheel begins a full spin and is catching at the edge before it can pull back all the way. Does this make sense? I am awful at describing things. Whatever the case, has anyone else experienced this? I know I'll obviously need to replace the flywheel now when I do the clutch (soon...) but what's causing it? Starter going bad?

 

[SHOman247]

starter is not disenageing when the car starts (so you need a need starter). It's an easy and cheap fix. I replaced my starter in about and hour for 40 bucks with a 3 year garuantee on it. If only a few teeth are damaged on the flywheel then you should be ok with reusing it but if too many are damaged it won't enage the starter and it will throw the balance of the fly wheel off a bit.

 

[SHOGIRL1994]

All the teeth are all like that, all the way around, so I'm going to just replace the flywheel anyway, depending on how long I have to go before changing the starter. If I can get to the starter soon maybe it will be ok for a little while because I probably won't be able to get to the clutch job for another month or two. Thanks Greg!

 

[SHOman247]

starters are about 60-75 at local parts stores plus core charges but if there are places down there that can rebuild old ones then they are usally cheaper. I had mine done at a local place that rebuilds just alternators and starters and they had mine for 40 plus core and it looked brand new and has a 3 year warrenty. I think i may have a flywheel laying around the garage so i'll have to go look through.

 

[SHOGIRL1994]

Ooooh! If you've got an extra flywheel, lemme know.

 

[masho95]

I spent about $110-$120 on my starter. With a lifetime warentee on it. Just replaced it with a new unit after the replacement failed... for free!

 

[Racer X]

I spent about $110-$120 on my starter. With a lifetime warentee on it. Just replaced it with a new unit after the replacement failed... for free!

Where at? I went the AutoZone route with my old car, and the starter died on the last day of the warranty! Talk about close calls!
$120 for a LLT warranty'd starter isn't bad at all...

starter is not disenageing when the car starts (so you need a need starter). It's an easy and cheap fix. I replaced my starter in about and hour for 40 bucks with a 3 year garuantee on it. If only a few teeth are damaged on the flywheel then you should be ok with reusing it but if too many are damaged it won't enage the starter and it will throw the balance of the fly wheel off a bit.

Yeah, that about covers it all. Remember to disconnect the (-) battery before you start. You'd be amazed how much current is running through there. I sure was. :banghd:

 

[SuperchargedSHOguy]

I have a spare flywheel if I can find it.

 

[masho95]

Where at? I went the AutoZone route with my old car, and the starter died on the last day of the warranty! Talk about close calls!
$120 for a LLT warranty'd starter isn't bad at all...

PepBoys.

 

[SuperchargedSHOguy]

PepBoys.

I wish I still had a pep boys local...closed doors 2 years ago :cry:

 

[Denny]

A fellow coworker/student friend of mine had an SHO in the past. He went junkyard hunting for a flywheel years ago and found every one of them with chewed up teeth. My stock flywheel had that too. When I did my 3.2 fortunately my lightweight flywheel was just fine. Also, another lightweight flywheel I have had some bites and the seller had the ring flipped to the better side. I need to get rid of that lighter weight flywheel by the way

 

[DHMag]

Auto-Zone. DL3198, $59.99 LLT.

 

[AREA 91]

I have a used 3.0 fly wheel. P.M. if interested.

 

[rangerj]

Racer x,

It is only 12 volts, but it is the amps that will bite you! Disconnect the negative battery cable, at a minimum, when doing any electrical component replacement. A live spark plug wire will also get your complete attention!

Shogirl, If the starter ring teeth are worn or chipped it would be best to replace the fly wheel. If you get a good used flywheel have it resurfaced before you install it. Also check the rear main seal while the flywheel is off. A new seal is not very expensive, but replacing it later would be expensive and time consuming.

 

[JoeSho59]

rebuilt starters

Beware of rebuilt starters. It is better to have yours rebuilt than to take one out of a box. The unit may come with a warrantee, but how often do you want too have to change it. And, if it fails, it may ruin your new flywheel.
A new starter comes with warrantee also. My experience with rebuilds is bad.
Last summer I tryed a rebuilt and when I installed it, it failed to fully engage with the flywheel. When I brought the unit back and told them what happened, they looked at me like I didnt know how to install a starter, said
"it's right out of the box, it should work"
I politely asked for a refund, then went to my trusted local parts house, and purchased a new starter, put it in , and have had no problems since.
Hope this helps

 

[DHMag]

Beware of rebuilt starters. It is better to have yours rebuilt than to take one out of a box. The unit may come with a warrantee, but how often do you want too have to change it. And, if it fails, it may ruin your new flywheel.
A new starter comes with warrantee also. My experience with rebuilds is bad.
Last summer I tryed a rebuilt and when I installed it, it failed to fully engage with the flywheel. When I brought the unit back and told them what happened, they looked at me like I didnt know how to install a starter, said
"it's right out of the box, it should work"
I politely asked for a refund, then went to my trusted local parts house, and purchased a new starter, put it in , and have had no problems since.
Hope this helps

rebuilt starters only have the nonfunctioning components removed and new installed. remanufactured starters are gutted and new or remanufactured componenets installed. "new" starters are recycled cases with all "new" components.

remember, aftermarket suppliers parts are required to MEET or EXCEED OE specifications. that means they are as good as or better than OE.

if i were to replace the brushes, bearings, or armature/stator in my starter without replacing anything else, id have myself a rebuilt starter. i may or may not have a warranty on the pieces i replaced. but if i did, and the component failed, what would i have to do again ? take the starter off, disassemble it, return to the vendor, and honor the warranty on my nonfunctioning components.

or i could just buy a rebuilt/remanufactured starter and replace the whole thing in one fail swoop.