Help with loose starter
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Help with loose starter
Woke up this morning to the high-pitched whine of the starter not engaging. When I crawled under the truck to do a first check on the starter it was completely loose. This leads to some questions:
Is there a third bolt on top? Would it be on the truck-front side of the solenoid, or the side towards the back?
One of the bottom bolts is loose enough to turn by fingers already, but there is also a sticky point in the threads...could enough grit have gotten in there that it would have to be re-tapped?
Could engaging the starter twice in this condition have damaged the teeth?
I am working in a small town, which does have a dealer and several franchise parts stores.....what is the best brand of starter to replace it with?
Any other tips on replacing it? It does look like one of the easier ones to get at of all the ones I've ever had to fool with.
Is there a third bolt on top? Would it be on the truck-front side of the solenoid, or the side towards the back?
One of the bottom bolts is loose enough to turn by fingers already, but there is also a sticky point in the threads...could enough grit have gotten in there that it would have to be re-tapped?
Could engaging the starter twice in this condition have damaged the teeth?
I am working in a small town, which does have a dealer and several franchise parts stores.....what is the best brand of starter to replace it with?
Any other tips on replacing it? It does look like one of the easier ones to get at of all the ones I've ever had to fool with.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, CAN
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ky-for-me.html
Here's a related thread with some info that might help. If your truck has an automatic trans, there should be a bolt at 11 o'clock (Upper), and one at 5 o'clock ( Lower). If you think a bolt may be screwed up, take it out and look at it and take the appropriate action for what you find.
Opinions vary about the best parts. I just put a Napa Premium in my '01 F350 yesterday.
Three year warranty and no made in china stickers on it. I would pull your starter and inspect all related parts for damage and go from there. Just my 2 cents.
Here's a related thread with some info that might help. If your truck has an automatic trans, there should be a bolt at 11 o'clock (Upper), and one at 5 o'clock ( Lower). If you think a bolt may be screwed up, take it out and look at it and take the appropriate action for what you find.
Opinions vary about the best parts. I just put a Napa Premium in my '01 F350 yesterday.
Three year warranty and no made in china stickers on it. I would pull your starter and inspect all related parts for damage and go from there. Just my 2 cents.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
Blue loctite on starter bolts are a good idea, especially for a diesel. If they keep coming loose, get the red loctite. Blue is for applications that may need to come out sometime in the future. Red is for stuff that you never plan to take apart again. I would use the red stuff as a last resort.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
all's well that ends well I tend to think worst-case scenario right off the bat. just loose and dirty bolts, no taps required. I've just never seen a starter come loose like that.
Before going to some Loc-Tite on there, I guess I would like to know what the exact recommended torque should be on those bolts? I think I'll go with that and keep an eye on them. I don't know if it is the original starter but I would expect so, and as this truck nears it's tenth birthday I think I'll wait till it is time to replace the starter and then Loc it down like that.
Napa Premium does sound good to me if I had to while a long way from home, otherwise I would pull mine and take it to an AIS equipment service franchise where I live that has a top-quality electric rebuild shop.
Before going to some Loc-Tite on there, I guess I would like to know what the exact recommended torque should be on those bolts? I think I'll go with that and keep an eye on them. I don't know if it is the original starter but I would expect so, and as this truck nears it's tenth birthday I think I'll wait till it is time to replace the starter and then Loc it down like that.
Napa Premium does sound good to me if I had to while a long way from home, otherwise I would pull mine and take it to an AIS equipment service franchise where I live that has a top-quality electric rebuild shop.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 28,280
Likes: 6
From: BLT, MN
If you know a reputable rebuilder that would be my recommendation when the starter goes. Not sure on the torque specs though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Hey guys!
I usually hang out down in the IDI forum for my trucks, but I've got a starter question for my Dad's truck.
We never had any symptoms of hard starting, but tonight we had a loose starter. Actually, the lower bolt fell out and left the bottom of the starter about 1/2" away from the automatic transmission.
We were 40 miles from home and in a parking lot...
I was able to pry a jack handle against the oil pan to keep the starter in and start the engine and get us home.
Tomorrow I'll be replacing the bottom bolt and tightening the top bolt!
Any ideas what the length and thread of the lower bolt is?
I usually hang out down in the IDI forum for my trucks, but I've got a starter question for my Dad's truck.
We never had any symptoms of hard starting, but tonight we had a loose starter. Actually, the lower bolt fell out and left the bottom of the starter about 1/2" away from the automatic transmission.
We were 40 miles from home and in a parking lot...
I was able to pry a jack handle against the oil pan to keep the starter in and start the engine and get us home.
Tomorrow I'll be replacing the bottom bolt and tightening the top bolt!
Any ideas what the length and thread of the lower bolt is?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, CAN
I am unfamiliar with that year vehicle, but the best advise I can give is, take the top one out and put it in the bottom. If it fits, get one just like that, (at least grade five), and put it in the top. Use blue Lock Tite on both and tighten. I'm not sure of the torque for that year but I'll bet you can find it on the net.
Good luck and good maintenance.
Good luck and good maintenance.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hotrodharley84
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
May 21, 2013 12:17 PM
cfassett87
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jun 25, 2012 08:49 AM
