Eric, first of all, THANK YOU! I have a 98' Silverado with a 5.7L engine. I had no idea how to shim the starter. Thanks to your video, I was able to fix my problem. GOD bless you sir!
Eric, you are AWESOME bro!! I cannot tell you how many times I've searched your videos to find an issue i was dealing with. This one here is perfect!! I have a 2011 GMC Acadia Denali engine out the vehicle and the engine itself is the same but different sensors, manifold and apparently it needs shimmed for the starter to not bind with the flywheel. The starter gear doesn't retract back after cranking and gets stuck in teeth of the flex plate. I even bought a new starter thinking that was the issue...then I seen this. Thank you, Sir! Much Love and Respect
Thanks mate, Installed a new after market hi-torque starter on my old Dodge pick up, and have been driven near mad with it grinding every other start. Your advice on how to 'paint test teeth contact', Gold !
who the hell follows Eric to simply dislike his videos? The rest of us are here to learn and sharpen up our skills. You spend time to find his videos to dislike them? Damn you scotty kilmer. ha. Keep up the work Eric.
No bullshit! The other info was helpful however the title is misleading and probably on purpose to click bait more of an audience view which is a form of deception not to mention since we didn't SEE him do it himself he probably had somebody else do it 😂
As a kid growing up on a farm with old parents plus only American made trucks, shimming was the first thing my dad bitched about. Add, old skool mechanic to that and it explains why, some youngins may not know. Shim pieces come with some starters. Besides that, starters can be purchased bad off the shelf.
That's just great to keep in mind considering I am about to order a brand new, maybe Reman- I'm really not sure what it will be , ordering from Rock Auto in just a little while after I have given up on looking for coupon codes like my mother wanted me to in the attempt to save a little money, think I'll find one that is valid?. ?? Also I want to make sure there isn't such thing as a different style starter for my Ram. I want to feel confident that whichever parts that I buy I get it right the first time, I can have everything prepped for it to be installed the moment after it arrives. I hope it is shipped and delivered just as expedient as my very first experience ordering from RockAuto .com.. To the author, director, actor and producer of this video ...Thanks for doing the Video
Using gear marking compound to check the contact pattern should be standard procedure for installing a starter. That is a fantastic idea, I will do that from now on.
I really appreciate the help man , towards the end definitely started to make sense when you mentioned if you have to get it closer or farther away using shims , the whole videos ll definitely helped
ive never heard of shimming a starter over here in the UK , they are just bolted in with no available adjustment to their position , oh well thats me learnt something , ive heard painting the teeth to set up diffs and the paint is called engineers blue . top vid eric :-)
Eric-you have great articles that are very helpful and informative. in this article I would have liked to see a situation where you shimmed a starter rather than show one that did not need it. Thanks and keep up the great work a k shair
The most fool proof way to avoid GM starter issues is to rebuild the original starter or reuse the original snout on your reman unit. Alignment issues are always caused by will fit reman stuff.
Great video. Just like to add that you must use special starter bolts. Ordinary bolts will allow the starter to shift enough to make the starter grind and eventually wear out the flywheel teeth.
Came across a reddit post with a bunch of comments for starter shims. Come to look them up and my favorite Car Guy has apparently made a video covering this.
great vid. i used to have a 97 gmc truck. it would grind after i let off the key, but it only did it when it was below -15c. i looked up the service manual that if it was grinding while starting, remove a shim, if it grinds after the key is let off add a shim. my truck didn't have any shims to being with, and i wasn't about to add a shim to correct a grind at -15c and risk it grinding when it was warm out. i miss that truck, touch the key at -45c and it fired up no problem. new one won't.
Don't know if this issue was ever resolved but in case someone else has the same problem, some of the teeth on the flexplate might be damaged. So sometimes it will grind and sometimes it will start normally. Easy to check if you just pull the starter and spin the engine to check all the teeth.
How the hell do you install the shims????????????? Thats why i watched the video! Where the hell do they go? The video is clearly titled "how to shim a starter" but you did not shim the starter nor show us how! What the hell?
jacobfain9 spoken like a true idiot. If you haven't yet recognized the importance of perspective taking, you shouldn't be giving any advice. Seriously....
There's really only 1 place the shims can go... it's just - it is what it is. So the real question is "How to measure to know if you need shims". Maybe the title was somewhat misleading to a "non-mechanic", but personally, I found the video to answer my own question quite well. Good show.
Great video! I'm having this problem on a 1995 S-10 (same starter), so I can't wait to wait to paint to find out what is wrong! It only happens on the new starter. I'm going with bright orange! I also wanted to mention that BBB Industries has both wiring diagrams and TSB's , so that is a great resource!! Eric shared this with us in a prior video!
well I fix my starter problem after going through 3 starters. Video was a big help I use the Allen wrench for clearance and shim it correctly, thanks alot.
i have had three starters to installed on my motor in my 85 Trans Am with 5.0 liter engine. first starter worked four cranks, the starter itself cracked and free spun. second starter the starter wouldn't engage. third starter is what i am currently using now had it for over a year. no problems yet. :)
@929rrdan A inch/lbs wrench is 12-times as precise as a foot-lbs wrench. You can just divide or multiply by 12 in order to convert the numbers either way. 1ft-lb = 12 inch-lbs. There are conversions online if you have any trouble with the math -- but the reason for the "inch-lb wrench" is obviously because adjusting the bands on your Durango need careful precision for best adjustment, and a ft-lbs wrench may make it harder to get right.
@bashbits Most European starters bolt end wise onto the back of the engine and require no shimming. Tolerances always allow for proper gear tooth engagement anywhere along the length of the gear. VWs were like this from the beginning. Many US engines have starters that bolt length wise onto the bottom of the engine. Tolerances are usually good but any changes will result in improper teeth gear engagement. Notice how this starter is bolted to the engine compared to European engines.
That tahoe looks like my 1994 Suburban's little brother. Same paint, grille, roof rack ect. hahaha, Thanks for the video, My starter grinds BAD when starting, obviously haha. I'm glad I have a couple spare starters if it breaks. Time to pull out my starter and check haha.
Sweet. I tried to pry the Gear on the starter, but couldn't pry it back. I'll try the 1/8" drill bit method. I might be able to reach the Armature shaft. If that doesn't work, then try the paint method. If I start a couple times to test the Gear pattern, will that ruin the starter or flywheel?
I doubt anyone is still on this video let alone Eric I got a 2004 Saturn VUE 3.5 Honda engine Only in the cold weather or when the car is cold the starter makes a grinding screeching noise for a second or so Also when I shut the car off the muffler “farts” once it’s shut off
I had a 1988 olds with a 2.5, and my wife had a 1989 Buick with a 2.5.. Both cars were damn near identical, but did have miner differences. But the Buick starter had a few shims, my olds had none.. The Buick also had a internal oil filter..
so now I know, I'll have to use paint if I ever have to shim the starter on my truck. I've got a '97 chev half-ton with the 305 (5.0L), which is a very similar motor to the 350 (5.7L) in the video.
@xmaxjetplane1 It still sounds like a vacuum leak, and since the idle is supposed to drop when the engine is warm it is more prone to stalling in case of a vacuum leak. I am sure there are good guides on youtube for checking starter leaks using propane or some other gas, propane usually being one of the safer options. It can be a pain in the neck though, if the leak is small.
Eric, Can you help me? My husband was fixing the starter on the 2004 Honda Accord XL 2.4 6 cylinders, Somehow with a tool, he pulled on the throttle line the one for the RPM and the car is racing a little it's up to over 2.3 instead I believe it suppose to be on 1 not sure but can you tell me how I fix this? Getting to the RPM its suppose to be and not like the car wants to go on its own. Thank You and looking back from you appreciate all you do.
Ok soo the shims go between the starter and tthe mounting points on the block. The shim is to but distance between the teeth on starter gear and the flywheel/faceplate like a spacer. To put them on. Is easy... if you adding to stsrt thats already on, remove the bolt on passanger side and loosen the other till you can slide the shim in. Line up holes and tighten back down
Hi Eric, I have a problem. My starter just clicks but does not engage the flywheel/flexplate. It was replaced two years ago. I was able to spin the crank with a wrench and I know the engine is good. My car is 96 Toyota Camry. I wish you could give me an idea on what to do to get the car firing. I also checked the voltage at the ignition coil, it checks out at 12V. I smell gas on the spark plugs and don't think it is the fuel pump. checked the batter, checked out fine. enjoy watching your videos!
Great video as always, but did I miss the "before" gear contact pattern or was it not shown or do we have a situation where it was noisy on the right mesh?
"How to make flour tortillas" I just bought this burrito which just happens to come with a flour tortilla so no need to make a flour tortilla. The end. Hahahahaha!
im not eric but im a auto tech student..so maybe i can help a little..you probably need shims in it like hes talking about in the video..the reason it dose it on some days and others not depends on the weather because believe it or not..metal dose expand a little
Hey Eric I have a 83 Chevy high Sierra with a 75 small block 350 and I’m having a huge problem... what the hell do I do if the starter works great when the engine is cold but when it is warm or hot it grinds EXTREMELY bad and shreds the gears??? I’ve been trying to figure out this issue for a while now but have not succeeded
@13FravelJ that would be the starter solenoid. aka the smaller round part with the two screws poking out. either its burnt out or its not getting 12+ volts
1/8 inch drill bit/gauge. Basically anything that is 1/8 inch thick exactly and it should be wedged between the flywheel teeth and armature shaft like he showed. if it fits exactly between them, then the clearance is 1/8 inch diameter and generally thats the clearance we shoot for (verify with shop manual if doubtful)
Just took the starter off my 89 chevy truck. New starter didn't mate up, had to get a 83 starter. I'm thinking last owner swapped out tranny. But there were no shims, and none in the replacement. Does that happen alot: no shim install? Thanks Eric.
Why do starter bolts break? I installed a new starter on my boat, mercruiser 3.0 4 cylinder. Started up fine. A few days later I found a broken starter bolt on the floor. Why would it break like that?
I just installed a new starter. Right after startup I get a quick metallic grind sound for less than a second. Is this a shim issue, or a bendix issue?
I have an OEM starter brand new, and a brand new 153 teeth flywheel, but the starter is barely coming into contact with the flywheel. How to make it approach by like half cm?
That's exactly the noise that my 1996 Chevy Silverado with the 5-7 V8 is making... the battery died and I started it up it acted like it wanted to start and it just started making that noise
eriv i posted to you on FB.Im posting here also.I have an 88 chevy with a 350 4x4 and we have ,including myself at least 7 or 8 starters on this truck only to hacve starter fail within a few months.It appears that starter gear is too far from flex plate.I marked and removed about 1/8 in. plus metal from starter boss to make gear and shaft closer still it was further away than it should be.Professional mechanics have had same problems.A few months and its back to beginning.Do you know of any other type starter to use or did they change the starter make and build?If i were the only one workin on it i might see a problem but these guys have all said there is a problem with starters or flex plates.This was a 1 owmer and taken very good care of.Please tell me something.Please im begging.Sincerely,Rob
@TiMthisIS the book tells you how long on average the job should take, and thats what you bill. its like if you took your car in for a starter, and a poor mechanic took twice as long to replace it as it should have taken, then you would be happy paying twice as much? good experianced mechanics are faster, and get it done quicker, so does that mean they should be payed less for the same job? thats why the book is used.
Do you know of any info on restoring a starter? I got a new one, it works, but has more teeth than the one that used to be in my engine, so it turns the engine slower, so it takes more time to start (just a bit, but still). I want to take the starter apart to see if it can be fixed. Any ideas on this?
how often cann't you get an allen wrench or 1/8in of something between to check. Is it common to have to uses gear paint /paint with this method alot...also can you uses body shims if your starter motor you get doesnt common with its own shim. I see the issue of just bolting it on and not checking alignment as you could be screwing up your new starter as well as the flywheel plate.
Hey I have like a little sound like when a playing card is on the spokes of a bike tik tik noise I put my rear seal in and everything back together and sometimes the noise come and go. Would u have any idea what it might be thank u!
I recently installed a new starter. The problem is the starter is free spinning. I've changed the battery terminals and installed a new battery. When I hooked up the new terminals to the battery. The starter is not engaging. What could be the problem.
Do all the starters need to be properply shimmed? Since I kinda have a weird problem with mine but not at startup, but with the engine already running.
My friends 99 Tahoe 5.7 keeps breaking starter bolts . I drilled out the broken bolt and re-tapped the hole and put the starter back on without shims and it made a terrible grinding sound so I tried shimming it but it didn't help . Then it broke the brand new bolt again !
is this only a gm thing or does it apply to all starters? I have this same engine and Tranny on my k1500. for some reason after years of no issues, my truck started sounding terrible when I would try to started. and it would not start. took my starter out had it tested at 2 different places, it failed, so I'm assuming that the starter was sticking out and not coming back when I let go of the ignition. so I bought a new starter and tried this method to measure clearance, with the shim that came with the starter the Clarence was right on, but the truck sounded bad when I would start it, so I added another shim and it sounded much better but the clearance was loose with the 1/8 Allen wrench so I guess maybe my flexplate might be rough on the teeth and that's why the 1/8 clearance might not be enough. I took off that cover for the torque converter bolts for now incase I keep having issues but so far it's been starting good makes a little noise but nothing compared to before, my flexplate teeth are a little banged up but not broken so I'm thinking that's why it still sounds a little rough when starting. some day I will bring the Tranny down and replace the flexplate and do the rear main seal and torque converter seal.
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Eric, first of all, THANK YOU! I have a 98' Silverado with a 5.7L engine. I had no idea how to shim the starter. Thanks to your video, I was able to fix my problem. GOD bless you sir!
Was your new starter grinding? This the the problem I am dealing with
Eric, you are AWESOME bro!! I cannot tell you how many times I've searched your videos to find an issue i was dealing with. This one here is perfect!! I have a 2011 GMC Acadia Denali engine out the vehicle and the engine itself is the same but different sensors, manifold and apparently it needs shimmed for the starter to not bind with the flywheel. The starter gear doesn't retract back after cranking and gets stuck in teeth of the flex plate. I even bought a new starter thinking that was the issue...then I seen this. Thank you, Sir! Much Love and Respect
Thanks mate,
Installed a new after market hi-torque starter on my old Dodge pick up, and have been driven near mad with it grinding every other start.
Your advice on how to 'paint test teeth contact', Gold !
who the hell follows Eric to simply dislike his videos?
The rest of us are here to learn and sharpen up our skills. You spend time to find his videos to dislike them? Damn you scotty kilmer. ha.
Keep up the work Eric.
Would liked to have seen exactly where and how you add the shims
yes, would have made the video description much more accurate
Same
No bullshit! The other info was helpful however the title is misleading and probably on purpose to click bait more of an audience view which is a form of deception not to mention since we didn't SEE him do it himself he probably had somebody else do it 😂
Bet you would've liked someone to just DO it for u too huh...
If you don’t know that you should probably get a trained Tech to maybe do the job for you
As a kid growing up on a farm with old parents plus only American made trucks, shimming was the first thing my dad bitched about. Add, old skool mechanic to that and it explains why, some youngins may not know. Shim pieces come with some starters. Besides that, starters can be purchased bad off the shelf.
That's just great to keep in mind considering I am about to order a brand new, maybe Reman- I'm really not sure what it will be , ordering from Rock Auto in just a little while after I have given up on looking for coupon codes like my mother wanted me to in the attempt to save a little money, think I'll find one that is valid?. ?? Also I want to make sure there isn't such thing as a different style starter for my Ram. I want to feel confident that whichever parts that I buy I get it right the first time, I can have everything prepped for it to be installed the moment after it arrives. I hope it is shipped and delivered just as expedient as my very first experience ordering from RockAuto .com.. To the author, director, actor and producer of this video ...Thanks for doing the Video
I finally shimmed mine right with 4 half shims on the outer bolt. Just seemed goofy that it would be so offset, but after 4 starters, it worked.
Bad flywheel??
@@garrettdschaak5949 No, I changed the flex plate and it was the same issue. Seems to be a common problem on some older Chevy blocks
Using gear marking compound to check the contact pattern should be standard procedure for installing a starter. That is a fantastic idea, I will do that from now on.
I really appreciate the help man , towards the end definitely started to make sense when you mentioned if you have to get it closer or farther away using shims , the whole videos ll definitely helped
ive never heard of shimming a starter over here in the UK , they are just bolted in with no available adjustment to their position , oh well thats me learnt something , ive heard painting the teeth to set up diffs and the paint is called engineers blue . top vid eric :-)
Eric-you have great articles that are very helpful and informative.
in this article I would have liked to see a situation where you shimmed a starter rather than show one that did not need it.
Thanks and keep up the great work
a k shair
Exactly my thought as well
The most fool proof way to avoid GM starter issues is to rebuild the original starter or reuse the original snout on your reman unit. Alignment issues are always caused by will fit reman stuff.
Great video. Just like to add that you must use special starter bolts. Ordinary bolts will allow the starter to shift enough to make the starter grind and eventually wear out the flywheel teeth.
Thanks I bought a truck and the guy had used the wrong bolts on the starter , Your comment fixed it
@@billwilliams4394 Happy to help!
Where do you get the right bolts.
Came across a reddit post with a bunch of comments for starter shims. Come to look them up and my favorite Car Guy has apparently made a video covering this.
Thanks for the info Eric, I opened the box, saw the shims and decided to watch a pro. I enjoyed your video.
great vid. i used to have a 97 gmc truck. it would grind after i let off the key, but it only did it when it was below -15c. i looked up the service manual that if it was grinding while starting, remove a shim, if it grinds after the key is let off add a shim. my truck didn't have any shims to being with, and i wasn't about to add a shim to correct a grind at -15c and risk it grinding when it was warm out. i miss that truck, touch the key at -45c and it fired up no problem. new one won't.
Don't know if this issue was ever resolved but in case someone else has the same problem, some of the teeth on the flexplate might be damaged. So sometimes it will grind and sometimes it will start normally. Easy to check if you just pull the starter and spin the engine to check all the teeth.
Great video. Except for the part where he never actually shows how to add the shims 🥴
How the hell do you install the shims?????????????
Thats why i watched the video! Where the hell do they go? The video is clearly titled "how to shim a starter" but you did not shim the starter nor show us how! What the hell?
lol if you dont know where the shims go you shouldn't be working on any kind of engine.
Organicle Man
jacobfain9 spoken like a true idiot. If you haven't yet recognized the importance of perspective taking, you shouldn't be giving any advice.
Seriously....
Lol
There's really only 1 place the shims can go... it's just - it is what it is. So the real question is "How to measure to know if you need shims". Maybe the title was somewhat misleading to a "non-mechanic", but personally, I found the video to answer my own question quite well. Good show.
Great video! I'm having this problem on a 1995 S-10 (same starter), so I can't wait to wait to paint to find out what is wrong! It only happens on the new starter. I'm going with bright orange! I also wanted to mention that BBB Industries has both wiring diagrams and TSB's , so that is a great resource!! Eric shared this with us in a prior video!
well I fix my starter problem after going through 3 starters. Video was a big help I use the Allen wrench for clearance and shim it correctly, thanks alot.
I'm getting a bad grinding noise .I put the starter in 1 year ago ?
Thanks man. That was just what I needed to know. I’m even borrowing my daughters paint.
this guy is one articulate friggin mechanic!!!! awesome!!!
i have had three starters to installed on my motor in my 85 Trans Am with 5.0 liter engine. first starter worked four cranks, the starter itself cracked and free spun. second starter the starter wouldn't engage. third starter is what i am currently using now had it for over a year. no problems yet. :)
Hello Eric, I wanna say that I like your videos and I really enjoy them.
Keep up your work!
Thanks, I've got a new tube of prussian blue I've been dying to try out. Just want to check my alignment on my 1976 Tradesman Van.
I really don't want to do this.... Why the hell don't they just make starters that fit?
when they take your core they sandblast it which removes material that needs to be replaced for fit
Yes bull shit .I'm getting grinding noise bad ? I put the starter in 1 year ago
no no no they is wrong i blame china
This video doesn't show how to install a shim.
+Jay Monroy bell housing - SHIM - starter
+Jerome Hall The shims are placed between the surfaces of the starter and engine where the bolts thread into.
The bolts go through them.
Great idea paint starter gear working on a 1955 farmall tractor starter will not engage the flex plate flex plate good shape thanks again 👍
@929rrdan A inch/lbs wrench is 12-times as precise as a foot-lbs wrench. You can just divide or multiply by 12 in order to convert the numbers either way. 1ft-lb = 12 inch-lbs. There are conversions online if you have any trouble with the math -- but the reason for the "inch-lb wrench" is obviously because adjusting the bands on your Durango need careful precision for best adjustment, and a ft-lbs wrench may make it harder to get right.
Hey Eric. Thanks for the way to fix my grinding starter. Keep it up. 🍁👍👍
@bashbits Most European starters bolt end wise onto the back of the engine and require no shimming. Tolerances always allow for proper gear tooth engagement anywhere along the length of the gear. VWs were like this from the beginning. Many US engines have starters that bolt length wise onto the bottom of the engine. Tolerances are usually good but any changes will result in improper teeth gear engagement. Notice how this starter is bolted to the engine compared to European engines.
That tahoe looks like my 1994 Suburban's little brother. Same paint, grille, roof rack ect. hahaha, Thanks for the video, My starter grinds BAD when starting, obviously haha. I'm glad I have a couple spare starters if it breaks. Time to pull out my starter and check haha.
Excellent job ....you are the best ....so professional I always learn from you thanks.
I would like to know how thick is the allen wrench so i will know the distance between the starter and flywheel ty and keep up the good work
Sweet. I tried to pry the Gear on the starter, but couldn't pry it back. I'll try the 1/8" drill bit method. I might be able to reach the Armature shaft. If that doesn't work, then try the paint method. If I start a couple times to test the Gear pattern, will that ruin the starter or flywheel?
I doubt anyone is still on this video let alone Eric
I got a 2004 Saturn VUE 3.5 Honda engine
Only in the cold weather or when the car is cold the starter makes a grinding screeching noise for a second or so
Also when I shut the car off the muffler “farts” once it’s shut off
eric my sister wants to know if your available shes looking for somebody
Eric, I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work!! I use them in my shop class in Auto Mechanics!!!
I had a 1988 olds with a 2.5, and my wife had a 1989 Buick with a 2.5.. Both cars were damn near identical, but did have miner differences. But the Buick starter had a few shims, my olds had none.. The Buick also had a internal oil filter..
*minor
so now I know, I'll have to use paint if I ever have to shim the starter on my truck. I've got a '97 chev half-ton with the 305 (5.0L), which is a very similar motor to the 350 (5.7L) in the video.
If the starter isn't shimmed correctly, will it make your starter bolts come loose? I have an 87 Chevy V10 and the starter bolts keep coming loose.
@xmaxjetplane1 It still sounds like a vacuum leak, and since the idle is supposed to drop when the engine is warm it is more prone to stalling in case of a vacuum leak. I am sure there are good guides on youtube for checking starter leaks using propane or some other gas, propane usually being one of the safer options. It can be a pain in the neck though, if the leak is small.
may i suggest you use white out ive used it few times and it works perfect the teeth scratch it off leaving a very visible mark
I've installed a half dozen or so starters on Fords and never had to shim them. I've never even heard of this. Is this a brand specific thing?
is BBB YOUR SPONSOR OMG THIS IS FREAKEN AWSOME DUDE U ARE A GOOD MECHANIC
Did I blink? I missed it when you did the shim.
@@shawndonald78 The bolts go through them, THAT is not complicated. The part that takes investigation is finding out how much thickness you need.
Thanks, I got it and my starter works and sounds...well, like it should!
Thanks bud your a life saver!
outstanding insight on shimming--best instructional video available
Eric, Can you help me? My husband was fixing the starter on the 2004 Honda Accord XL 2.4 6 cylinders, Somehow with a tool, he pulled on the throttle line the one for the RPM and the car is racing a little it's up to over 2.3 instead I believe it suppose to be on 1 not sure but can you tell me how I fix this? Getting to the RPM its suppose to be and not like the car wants to go on its own. Thank You and looking back from you appreciate all you do.
question, when installing on a brand new block do you use any shims or would it be safe to try with none first?
Ok soo the shims go between the starter and tthe mounting points on the block. The shim is to but distance between the teeth on starter gear and the flywheel/faceplate like a spacer. To put them on. Is easy... if you adding to stsrt thats already on, remove the bolt on passanger side and loosen the other till you can slide the shim in. Line up holes and tighten back down
Hi Eric, I have a problem. My starter just clicks but does not engage the flywheel/flexplate. It was replaced two years ago. I was able to spin the crank with a wrench and I know the engine is good. My car is 96 Toyota Camry. I wish you could give me an idea on what to do to get the car firing. I also checked the voltage at the ignition coil, it checks out at 12V. I smell gas on the spark plugs and don't think it is the fuel pump. checked the batter, checked out fine. enjoy watching your videos!
WHERE THE HELL IS THE SHIMMING PART DUDE
Great video as always, but did I miss the "before" gear contact pattern or was it not shown or do we have a situation where it was noisy on the right mesh?
"How to make flour tortillas" I just bought this burrito which just happens to come with a flour tortilla so no need to make a flour tortilla. The end. Hahahahaha!
Eric, thanks great video
ive used paint for measuring the contact between deferential teeth... but for a starter is just genius!
Very informative video. Thanks for uploading and as always, be safe, have fun, and stay dirty. CHEERS!
im not eric but im a auto tech student..so maybe i can help a little..you probably need shims in it like hes talking about in the video..the reason it dose it on some days and others not depends on the weather because believe it or not..metal dose expand a little
Hey Eric I have a 83 Chevy high Sierra with a 75 small block 350 and I’m having a huge problem... what the hell do I do if the starter works great when the engine is cold but when it is warm or hot it grinds EXTREMELY bad and shreds the gears??? I’ve been trying to figure out this issue for a while now but have not succeeded
Maybe I missed it but what thickness or size is the Allen key? A drill bit should work to.
GM is the only manufacturer that has the issues needing this kind of attention. Poor machining tolerances.
What if your new starter spins but doesn't make any contact with your flywheel?
3 year too late but your solenoid is stuck and not shoving the drive gear to the flywheel
I had the same problem in my 96 nissan patrol, try to clean up your starter relay inside or buy new one, mayby this is the reason.
@13FravelJ
that would be the starter solenoid. aka the smaller round part with the two screws poking out. either its burnt out or its not getting 12+ volts
U the best always find answers on your videos..
Instead of paint I bet that colored paste that you use to set differential pinion/ ring gears would work even better.
Whoops I commented before watching the whole video and see you mentioned that. cheers..
WHAT? :)
Do you ever do any performance installs in your shop. Such as power adders or performance exhaust installs
Your video's keep getting better!
What if I have no shim on my starter and there's just a little to much play... sometimes it struggles and doesn't want to start sounds weak
@13FravelJ check your terminals, make sure they are well placed and tight
What size Allen wrench did he use for the gauge between the flywheel and the starter Bendix?
1/8 inch drill bit/gauge. Basically anything that is 1/8 inch thick exactly and it should be wedged between the flywheel teeth and armature shaft like he showed. if it fits exactly between them, then the clearance is 1/8 inch diameter and generally thats the clearance we shoot for (verify with shop manual if doubtful)
this shit is stressful
Well that did not help. Off to find real instal video......
Just took the starter off my 89 chevy truck. New starter didn't mate up, had to get a 83 starter. I'm thinking last owner swapped out tranny. But there were no shims, and none in the replacement. Does that happen alot: no shim install? Thanks Eric.
Why do starter bolts break? I installed a new starter on my boat, mercruiser 3.0 4 cylinder. Started up fine. A few days later I found a broken starter bolt on the floor. Why would it break like that?
I just installed a new starter. Right after startup I get a quick metallic grind sound for less than a second. Is this a shim issue, or a bendix issue?
The video should have shown how the shims affect the alignment.
This isn’t how to shim, it’s how to see if you need to shim.
I have an OEM starter brand new, and a brand new 153 teeth flywheel, but the starter is barely coming into contact with the flywheel. How to make it approach by like half cm?
That's exactly the noise that my 1996 Chevy Silverado with the 5-7 V8 is making... the battery died and I started it up it acted like it wanted to start and it just started making that noise
eriv i posted to you on FB.Im posting here also.I have an 88 chevy with a 350 4x4 and we have ,including myself at least 7 or 8 starters on this truck only to hacve starter fail within a few months.It appears that starter gear is too far from flex plate.I marked and removed about 1/8 in. plus metal from starter boss to make gear and shaft closer still it was further away than it should be.Professional mechanics have had same problems.A few months and its back to beginning.Do you know of any other type starter to use or did they change the starter make and build?If i were the only one workin on it i might see a problem but these guys have all said there is a problem with starters or flex plates.This was a 1 owmer and taken very good care of.Please tell me something.Please im begging.Sincerely,Rob
@TiMthisIS the book tells you how long on average the job should take, and thats what you bill. its like if you took your car in for a starter, and a poor mechanic took twice as long to replace it as it should have taken, then you would be happy paying twice as much? good experianced mechanics are faster, and get it done quicker, so does that mean they should be payed less for the same job? thats why the book is used.
Great video as always Eric!
Do you know of any info on restoring a starter? I got a new one, it works, but has more teeth than the one that used to be in my engine, so it turns the engine slower, so it takes more time to start (just a bit, but still). I want to take the starter apart to see if it can be fixed.
Any ideas on this?
for the starter, did you use technology or was it a non technology?
how often cann't you get an allen wrench or 1/8in of something between to check. Is it common to have to uses gear paint /paint with this method alot...also can you uses body shims if your starter motor you get doesnt common with its own shim. I see the issue of just bolting it on and not checking alignment as you could be screwing up your new starter as well as the flywheel plate.
Hey I have like a little sound like when a playing card is on the spokes of a bike tik tik noise I put my rear seal in and everything back together and sometimes the noise come and go. Would u have any idea what it might be thank u!
I recently installed a new starter. The problem is the starter is free spinning. I've changed the battery terminals and installed a new battery. When I hooked up the new terminals to the battery. The starter is not engaging. What could be the problem.
Eric
I just put in a rebuilt 350 SBC and starter has way too big gap between flywheel and Bendix shaft .. how can I fix?
Do all the starters need to be properply shimmed? Since I kinda have a weird problem with mine but not at startup, but with the engine already running.
I have had mostly Fords and never had a shimming issue. Is this just in luck or does ford not have this issue as others do, just curious here.
My friends 99 Tahoe 5.7 keeps breaking starter bolts . I drilled out the broken bolt and re-tapped the hole and put the starter back on without shims and it made a terrible grinding sound so I tried shimming it but it didn't help . Then it broke the brand new bolt again !
Hey Eric, What does it mean if you go to start your car and you turn the key and all you here is a ticking noise, and the battery was just replaced?
is this only a gm thing or does it apply to all starters?
I have this same engine and Tranny on my k1500. for some reason after years of no issues, my truck started sounding terrible when I would try to started. and it would not start. took my starter out had it tested at 2 different places, it failed, so I'm assuming that the starter was sticking out and not coming back when I let go of the ignition. so I bought a new starter and tried this method to measure clearance, with the shim that came with the starter the Clarence was right on, but the truck sounded bad when I would start it, so I added another shim and it sounded much better but the clearance was loose with the 1/8 Allen wrench so I guess maybe my flexplate might be rough on the teeth and that's why the 1/8 clearance might not be enough. I took off that cover for the torque converter bolts for now incase I keep having issues but so far it's been starting good makes a little noise but nothing compared to before, my flexplate teeth are a little banged up but not broken so I'm thinking that's why it still sounds a little rough when starting. some day I will bring the Tranny down and replace the flexplate and do the rear main seal and torque converter seal.
Oh yeah...you do GREAT work with these videos, Eric!!!
THANK YOU!!!
It may,but in this instance it's nowhere near any sensors,so it's not going to hurt anything.
So how do you add shims?