Starter doesnt work... sometimes

[kunar]

my starter is fairly new, atleast new enough i shouldnt be having problems with it. probably close to a week ago it started sounding a little funny when i started my truck. over the next couple of days, it started to grind, but would still start the truck. i took it out and nothing looked out of line, so i sprayed it with some brake parts cleaner. i put it back in and it worked great. sounded smooth, no grinding. over the next couple of days, it started to grind worse and worse. once again i pulled the starter and sprayed it with starting fluid (i was at work and thats all i had) and once again it worked fine. 2 days later its grinding again. anybody have any ideas? i would rather not replace it, i plan to be doing a 4.0 clutch within about a month so i will be buying a new starter anyways. my next guess was gonna be to pull it out and hang it up in a bucket. drain a can of brake parts cleaner onto it in hopes that if i get it clean (really really clean) i wont have an issue.

 

[tpking]

i had a truck that was doing that and it was just working its self loose enough that when i would take it out and put it back it in it would line up and work alright for a while ..

 

[kunar]

i had a truck that was doing that and it was just working its self loose enough that when i would take it out and put it back it in it would line up and work alright for a while ..

i've had a problem with the hardware working its way loose but that hasnt been the issue this time...

 

[jeffro184]

the gear on the flywheel may have a bad spot and every so often it stops at that spot, and when you go to start it it will grind?

 

[mhughes165]

ive had that happen to me a few times, thats what warranty's are for

 

[bronc72]

I had the same problem with my 89' f150, the problem ended up bein the flywheel plus the starter bolts wouldnt stay torqued for very long. Have you tried using starter shims?

 

[Jspafford]

I heard something when you were here. It almost sounded like the bendix was not releasing soon enough causing it to drag on the flywheel a little.

I would take it back if you have a warranty.

 

[Mark_88]

Depending on what it's doing or not doing...could be loose ground wire too...

My Zuk starter was acting up...would not turn over...turn the key and nothing happened...gave the bendix a rap with a screwdriver and it started right up...but I think it was originally just a loose ground because the ground wire just sorta fell off the battery post one day...once that was fixed it worked properly...

 

[kunar]

i dont think it has anything to do with grounds or hardware. im pretty sure that its something to do with corrosion in the bendix. i can take it out and put it right back and it doesnt make any improvement, but if i spray a little brake cleaner on the bendix and put it back it will be fine for a day or two. who here rebuilds these starters? i would just like to know what it will take to pull the bendix off and wire brush it all, and grease it a little...