My starter has been "not engaging" ie: it just spins without turning the engine over. It has been a minor inconvenience until yesterday. It took 4 times turning the key until it engaged.
Today, it took 5-6 times.
My question is, does that sound like I need a new starter, or would the starter drive (bendix?) be the problem?
The difference in cost is $12-$15 vs $150-$200. Has anyone had any experience just replacing the starter drive?
Any help would be appreciated.
That starter is difficult enough to access that anything less than complete replacement with as much parts warranty as possible is foolhardy. Most shops will not warrant labor on the R&R of electrical items. If you were to have either the solenoid or bendix replaced you would be hard pressed to get any type of guarantee should the starter subsequently fail.
__________________ My computer beat me at chess once, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
That starter is difficult enough to access that anything less than complete replacement with as much parts warranty as possible is foolhardy. Most shops will not warrant labor on the R&R of electrical items. If you were to have either the solenoid or bendix replaced you would be hard pressed to get any type of guarantee should the starter subsequently fail.
The problem is that I hate to send a possibly good starter in for a core charge if all that is wrong is the bendix. I guess I'll order a new starter and just eat the core charge.
Yeah, it can be a bit of a coin toss. But if you don't have prior history you have to assume the rest of the unit is as worn as the bendix. Better safe than sorry is as true a cliche as you can find. Dave
My personal rule is: if access is overly difficult than replace it. Change a timing belt on a Honda Civic, the water pump gets changed too. Good or not. Due to the difficult nature of removing the starter, I would be inclined to replace it / rebuild it rather than experimenting with lubing / replacing the bendix. Two months later the brushes finally wear out and you are back at it. I have a guy that just rebuilds starters and alternators. When I had my starter out for the transmission removal I sent it to him for servicing. No faults found but at least I know I won't be back there for awhile.
My personal rule is: if access is overly difficult than replace it... Due to the difficult nature of removing the starter, I would be inclined to replace it / rebuild it rather than experimenting with lubing / replacing the bendix. Two months later the brushes finally wear out and you are back at it.
You guys are right.
I was just letting my cheap side get in the way of common sense.
My personal rule is: if access is overly difficult than replace it. Change a timing belt on a Honda Civic, the water pump gets changed too. Good or not. Due to the difficult nature of removing the starter, I would be inclined to replace it / rebuild it rather than experimenting with lubing / replacing the bendix. Two months later the brushes finally wear out and you are back at it. I have a guy that just rebuilds starters and alternators. When I had my starter out for the transmission removal I sent it to him for servicing. No faults found but at least I know I won't be back there for awhile.
Absolutely, It was still a pain in the ash. I removed the aft exaust manifold which made things much easier. I am also a new owner of a 3' extension.
I have an M110 scavenged from a '78 280SE. Car never stopped running the six years I drove it. Had NO inner fenders, outers were bondo over fiberglass over rust! Same with rockers and rear lower quarters. Motor and trans are slated for use in a '39 International P/U Rat Rod. Fenderless, hoodless, engine converted to triple Weber DCOE sidedrafts. I've removed the Benz #'s and emblems, can't wait to hear the hot rod boys try to figure THAT out! Yes my 107 is V-8 but I love the M110. Dave
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