Bendix Spring Locked Up

[Bob Grieb]

I am opening this new thread to better title the problem I have.

I have a new style drive on my starter and it has operated fine for weeks. Today it is locked up and I cannot disengage it from the flywheel. I have attempted to remove the starter from the housing and it won't budge. I have put the vehicle in 3rd gear and rocked the car and it will not disengage.

Based on a suggestion from anoter forum member I am going to try and partially disassemble the starter while in the vehicle and see if I can rock it to free the lockup.

Any other ideas would be welcomed.

Thanks

Bob

[Kurt in NJ]

What about pushing it some ---say 5 mph backwards with the clutch pushed down ( in 3rd gear)---then suddenly releasing it.

[Al Bass]

I had the same problem with my new style bendix. but pushing the car in reverse unlocked things. the end of the bendix hollow shaft broke off and jammed things up tight. I am now using the original bendix with no problems yet . I have 12v with 6v starter

[Wick]

Just unbolt the starter and turn the starter housing clockwise,it should unwind itself.
Use a strap wrench.
Wick

[jj1928]

There have been three of these new style bendix drives do the same thing in our club within the last 8 weeks. One fellow took the starter apart and ended up cutting the shaft with a sawsall to get it out. The other was able to take the starter apart while in the car and work it out and am not sure how the third got his out.
All three people have put them in within the last three years I am wondering if they are cheep after market replacements from overseas. I am taking mine out before I have a problem.

[Bob Grieb]

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Originally Posted by Wick

Just unbolt the starter and turn the starter housing clockwise,it should unwind itself.
Use a strap wrench.
Wick

I can rotate the starter but it will not release the gear.

Thanks for the suggestion

Bob

[Bob Grieb]

Originally Posted by Al Bass

I had the same problem with my new style bendix. but pushing the car in reverse unlocked things. the end of the bendix hollow shaft broke off and jammed things up tight. I am now using the original bendix with no problems yet . I have 12v with 6v starter

So far the rocking has not produced results. I too am running a 6 volt starter with a 12 volt system.

Thanks

Bob

[Gord. B by the bay]

I mentioned in the above post I really think some thing is not lined up allowing the new bendix to twist in some fashion Gord. B by the bay

[Larry Seemann]

Have you tried taking off the clutch access plate and looking into the bell housing? Maybe a long screwdriver or small diameter bar can be inserted from there to pry the bendix gear back from the ring gear.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Rock the car back and forth in 3rd gear. High gear gives the most torque for turning the flywheel while pushing the car.

I still don't understand the need to change to the "new" drive. I'm using the original 83 year old Bendix and never have had a problem in the 10 years I've been using it. The main thing is to make sure you have good bolts and lock washers with the tab bent correctly against the flat of the bolt. The other part of the tab goes into the notch in the spring loop for the bolt.

[Bob Grieb]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Rock the car back and forth in 3rd gear. High gear gives the most torque for turning the flywheel while pushing the car.

I still don't understand the need to change to the "new" drive. I'm using the original 83 year old Bendix and never have had a problem in the 10 years I've been using it. The main thing is to make sure you have good bolts and lock washers with the tab bent correctly against the flat of the bolt. The other part of the tab goes into the notch in the spring loop for the bolt.

The change to the new drive was a suggestion in the Les Andrews Volume 2 Manual. I was going to leave the stock drive on the starter shaft but based on that reccomendation I made the switch. It has been working until yesterday. I have still not been able to free the starter. I am reluctant to disassemble the starter while it is in the vehicle but I am about to think it is all I have left to do.
Thanks

Bob

[Bob Grieb]

I finally got the starter out by disassembling the starter while it was in the vehicle. I am not sure what caused the problem but it looks to me like the Starter Drive unit housing was driven over the drive gear . See Photo

[Bob Grieb]

At first glance the ring gear looks OK. You can see in the picture below that a shaft inside the drive unit fractured. That shaft had a function to retain or stop the gear from overtraveling on when engaging the flywheel. Obviously it did not perform as it should. The drive unit was new.

[Al Bass]

exactly what mine did

[steve s]

Does anyone know if the new style is correctly referred to as a "Bendix"?

Also, I vaguely recall reading a few years ago that there had been a change in manufacturer, or something like that, of the new units. We were warned that the "good" ones were soon to go out of stock, so I dutifully bought one, of course. Happily, haven't need to use it.

Also--not to start a fight or anything-- but I'm wondering how big a part of the problem is the use of 12 volts on a system designed for the torque and impact 6 volts would deliver. I had an auto electric shop install the 12 V field coils in my starter when I converted, but I've noticed over the years that many folks say that's not necessary.

Steve

[Bob Grieb]

In the catalog it is listed as a "Modern Starter Drive". I have ordered a replacment but I am going back to the old style. Since I have had this problem I have heard from others who have had the same problem I experienced.
I am hoping I can run the 12 volts system with my 6 volt starter motor.

[steve s]

Originally Posted by Bob Grieb

... I am hoping I can run the 12 volts system with my 6 volt starter motor.

Why not convert the starter and relax--beats hoping. Snyders sell the 12V field coils for $40.50.

Steve

[Bob Grieb]

That sounds like the right thing to do.

[pooch]

Or try a resistor in the start circuit.

I use one and have removed 2 brushes from starter.

I am not sure i noticed any difference with taking out 2 brushes, but certainly do with the resistor.

Does not thump in so hard on 12 volts.

[Bob Grieb]

Originally Posted by pooch

Or try a resistor in the start circuit.

I use one and have removed 2 brushes from starter.

I am not sure i noticed any difference with taking out 2 brushes, but certainly do with the resistor.

Does not thump in so hard on 12 volts.

What type and value was the resistor did you use?

Bob