Starters Breaking..

[afireinside5976]

I just recently put in a new clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, and a fresh machined flywheel. Everything went good and smooth except the starter. Everything was put back together correctly, torqued, and put together the same except put back together tighter and used dowel pins (was none before). The starter was held in by a two bolts and two nuts, instead of the normal two bolts that thread into the starter. Anyway, I used the two correct bolts when putting it back in, go to start it and grinds for about 2 or 3 seconds then starts. Come to find out the one of the two ears on the starter (where the bolt threads in) broke. Tried it again with a spare I had (I think this starter may of been awd one though and my car is a fwd) and it did the same thing the second time I started it. Anyone ever have this issue or know what's up?

Maybe even the starter that was originally in it was a awd starter they had rigged up somehow. Also the plate in between the motor and tranny has been cut. Looks like the 6 bolt that was swapped into my car may of been out of a awd and they kept the awd plate on and cut it to make it work. The starter didn't grind though until it was taken out and put back in. Transmission bolts are tight. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[Rob10_99]

Sounds like you have 2 awd starters, either the awd is longer throw or the fwd is I dont remember
That grinding sounds like the gear isnt going out far enough before it starts spinning, get it straightened out before you have to buy another ring gear!

 

[jake247]

take both starters to an auto parts store, and ask to see the right one, compare them to see if you've got the right stuff or the wrong stuff.

 

[afireinside5976]

Today I went to the parts store and got two brand new fwd starters...broke both of them!! Whats the deal? I really really need anyones opinion here, anything will help! I'm getting desperate and dont want to ruin my ring gear but I have to drive this car everyday to work and such. I have to go tomorrow to get my third starter from the parts store and I need some pointers on how not to break this one. I think the biggest issue here is this motor was from a awd (didn't realize this until I got the new clutch all back in) and my car is a fwd. They left the awd shield on the block (the metal peice in between the tranny and block) instead of being normal circles in the shield you can see where they cut it and they now look like ovals. Also instead on using the normal two bolts that thread into the starter they used two bolts and two nuts to hold it in. Shouldn't it be held in by two bolts just threading into the starter though? Opinions please!

 

[afireinside5976]

Altogether I've broke 5 starters...now I have to wait for a new one to come in tomorrow! HELP!

 

[Tim Melton]

Did you get the original flywheel machined or is it new/rebuilt.Does the all wheel drive have a spacer inbetween the flywheel and the main seal.was the six bolt an automatic cause they have a weird spacer behind the flywheel.

 

[afireinside5976]

Orginal flywheel was machined. And my car is a fwd manual. I think I might of found out what it happening. I was using some differant bolts because I couldn't find the starter bolts and I believe the bolts I'm using are too thick..guess I'll find out tomorrow.