Starter teeth worn out!

[eshorvath]

My starter started "free wheeling" tonight. No early warnings, etc...
Took the starter off.
The flywheel teeth look awesome. Like new.
the starter teeth are worn at the ends.

Can the gear at the starter be reversed? So the good side is closest to the flywheel?

What causes this? Needs to be shimmed?
How do you shim if it does? I have never shimmed a starter before.
Eddie

 

[Jagged]

Two options: Starter rebuild kit, or a new/refurb starter.

 

[350k5]

If those teeth are all worn out I woudln't even mess with trying to shim it up, you could end up breaking teeth off of your flyweel and then you'll have an even bigger mess on your hands. I say go witha refurbished, or new starter. Or if you have the money go with a Gear reduction starter and never worry about it again. I got one of those put on my truck- think it was about $100 but theres a big difference. Gives you a whole lot more starting power and truns the engine over almost effortlessly. Thats the way to go IMO.

 

[trailblazr81]

If yer motors mostly stock just go to napa n get one. Make sure you have it on n lined up, sometimes may need to shim it. If you got a hi-po motor get a good started out of Summit or Jegs.

 

[eshorvath]

Took the starter in to find out what was wrong.

The armatron had a chi, not allowing the gear to engage fully.

Replaced the armatron, and it works good as new.

The solenoid was not bad.
The wear in the teeth showed that it did not need to be shimmed.

and besides the chip, the inside of the starter looked like new.

So, all in all, at least it is working again...Thank god.

Thanks for all of the input.

Eddie