starter endplay

trying to find the occaisional grinding noise in my stock mk lll starter.spins the motor fine sometimes,sometimes seems to jam.pulled starter and noticed 1/8 to3/16 movement in the starter i.e gear at the end of the starter itself.all looks well and fine in the primary (to my untrained eye.)any thoughts or ideas what else to look for?thanks to all in advanced.

david levine said:

pulled starter and noticed 1/8 to3/16 movement in the starter i.e gear at the end of the starter itself

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Sounds as if you could have already found the problem?

I'd say the starter armature end float should be nearer 10 to 20 thou'?

end play

thanks l.a.b. for your quick reply.what kind of problems am i looking at in taking starter apart?is this just a matter of a thrust washer and are they still available?never been inside a starter . thanks again.d.l.

Thrust washers are available through Norton Motors
http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Norton Website/norton/parts-list.php?Model=n850_e&Plate=012&Part=32
and most Prestolite rebuilders. Many outboard motors and small tractors used these style motors so parts may be sourced there if you are clever.

Stripping the motor is straight forward. It is like any other DC motor. It will likely be full of rust inside and in need of a good cleaning, especially the commutator end of the armature. I would plan on replacing the bushes and seal. Many replace the drive end bush with a needle bearing or a ball bearing, but this requires machine work to the end cover and armature.