starter (noob)

[jwmac]

#1. I'm new to the site so just wanted to say whats up and I'm glad to be here.

#2. My starter went bad a few months ago. Replaced it and it started right up no problems. A couple of weeks later the new starter sounded real rough when turning the ignition. I shimmed the starter and the problem went away and everything started real smoooth like. A couple weeks later same issue. I've shimmed it twice now and with the same sequence of events, good for a couple of weeks then goes bad. The mounting bolts are staying tight and it doesnt look like the tolerance is changing between the pinion shaft and the flyweel. I think the starter I bought is refirbished. Any suggestions??? Maybe im shimming it the wrong direction????

#3. Heres a couple pics of the noob's pride and joy!!

[dwaite72lnghrn]

It could be the starter is bad. Have you checked the teeth on the flywheel and starter to make sure you don't have some teeth buggered.

[jwmac]

I just realized that my truck is in the wrong forum. I truely feel like a noob. Sorry!

thanks for the reply anyhow. i did check the flywheel teeth but did not see anything out of the norm. but thats not to say there arnt any bad teeth on the part thats not exposed. ill look again.

[70cst]

What year truck? I don't know the later years that well. Also to the forum.

[Shyguy]

Welcome first of all.

It is alright you posted here. There are a lot of knowledgeable people that can help.

A little more info would help though. Like engine size and year of the truck.

I look at many parts of this forum for help and info myself.

Good luck with the problem and your new project.

Danny

[Matt Man]

when you bought the starter was there a huge one and a small one? the small one is way more expensive. anyway my first starter was a ministarter i bought because my truck has headers, that went bad after it made a really bad grinding sound then boom. so i went and bought the SAME starter and did the same thing about a month later. so then i bought the big starter and it fit in there with my headers that i am running now and it works perfectly has never grinded or anything now and its been about a month and a half.

keep in mind my truck is a one ton so it might be different just my .2 cents.

[pseudopimp]

I have an 84 chevy and it has sounded that way also. not necessarily a grinding noise, but it just isn't quiet. i have also shimmed mine and it would go away then come back. take the starter off and replace it exactly the way it was and the noise would be quiet and then come back. i always thought that it was me shimming wrong. i am going to remove the shims and see if that helps.

i will be following this thread because the noise is annoying.

i don't think the starter is bad because if you adjust it it will go away. but it always goes out of adjustment.

[LONGHAIR]

Well this advice is too late to help you now...But I always save the original starter and swap the "nose cone" from it to the "new" one. This generally assures you of a proper fit.

It does seem odd that it was ok in the begining and has gotten worse?
I would inspect the teeth of the flexplate (assuming automatic transmission) for signs of wear or chipping.
It is possible that the flexplate is cracked around the mounting flange. It is a fairly common problem, but it's pretty involved to diagnose.