My starter bendix keeps sticking, and when i take the motor out the bendix is well and truly stuck

a good tug and i can free it, so i clean it, and it moves freely, stick it in the car, and it starts, but after 3-4 starts jams again

what can i doo???

its MOT tomorrow, and MUST start !!

I know the bendix can be taken apart, but can they without special tools?

regards

steve

How do you clean it?

graphite from a pencil is what my dad used to reconmend to lubricate it. I'd suggest that perhaps its not totally lined up with the flywheel hence jaming.

No, but the tool is easy to make up with a couple of squares of 5mm plate, and 100mm m5 screws.

One drill a 25mm hole in the centre of each one, and slot one so it will slide into the big spring on the bendix.

Drill 2 6mm holes through opposite edges of the plates.

Slide the slotted plate into the base of the spring, put the other over the end of the spring, then screw the two together so they compress the spring, take off the circlip and you're away.

This will give you an idea Starter Bendix Spring Compressor | eBay UK

[Edited on 27/4/11 by r1_pete]

So can any pencil provide graphite ?

it is lined up correctly and has started the car since 1999 , but now GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

i washed the bendix with carb cleaner, and currently the whole bendix etc is immersed in diesel

I really dont want to buy another starter!

steve

I wouldn't recommend using oil on the bendix, it can gum things up & collects dust & dirt. I would be inclined to agree with previous poster that perhaps there is some misalignment? but in reply to the Q yes any ordinary black pencil will provide graphite.

If worst comes to worst it should start with a push which should flick the bendix back out

Mine started doing that trick - I spent ages making the spring compressor, taking things to bits, removing burrs, and so on. It still kept catching me out at random times - not often enough to make me replace it, but often enough to be embarrassing/annoying.

In the end I bought a new one...

BTW: the best source of graphite is a locksmith (or a proper lock shop anyway). After all, it is the recommended lubricant for locks! Such places will sell you a small puffer bottle for not a lot of money.

[Edited on 27/4/11 by David Jenkins]