Grinding starter?

[CROM]

Alright, I'm having staring issues. When I turn the key, the starter seems like it's grinding or catching on something. I've pulled it and inspected both the flexplate and the starter and both gears are good. I assume it is the starter, but I suppose it could be something else down the line catching. The sound it makes is similar to the sound it would make if you turned the key while the truck was already running. It isn't constant, the truck will turn over and start, it just seems to catch in spots....I'm leaning toward the starter being bad, but was wondering if anything else could be causing this. Any help will, as always, be most appreciated!

 

[scoutmanadam]

sounds like the starter to me

 

[CROM]

I almost hope it is. At least then I know what it is and don't have to chase.

 

[usmc81301]

Maybe the bendix drive is not engaging all the way

 

[CROM]

Would a solenoid replacement help the bendix extend all the way?

 

[usmc81301]

If the solenoid is working correctly I would replace the bendix drive, but if the solenoid seems shady it would not hurt to put a new one on. I had this happen once and my bendix was failing and it cause the solenoid to fail.

 

[CROM]

I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the info! First thing I'm going to try to do is borrow my buddies M1008 starter to eliminate any other possibilities. A starter rebuild would be a welcome, easy fix for once.

Thanks again!

 

[chicagodiesel]

Mine was doing that for a bit...then I changed the fuel filter and went to bleed the line and my flex plate disintegrated into a cloud of metal shavings. Not fun pulling the transmission to replace that. If you take off the bell housing you can inspect the flex plate for worn teeth to make sure that isn't the problem. Good luck.

 

[86m1028]

Mine was doing that for a bit...then I changed the fuel filter and went to bleed the line and my flex plate disintegrated into a cloud of metal shavings. Not fun pulling the transmission to replace that. If you take off the bell housing you can inspect the flex plate for worn teeth to make sure that isn't the problem. Good luck.

You mean the inspection cover on the lower frt of the trans.

 

[chicagodiesel]

You mean the inspection cover on the lower frt of the trans.

Yup. Mine was only damaged at a few points. Just so happened that when I went to bleed that line the starter and flex plate lined up at one of them and when the starter fired, it ground the teeth down so far on the flex that it wouldn't turn (probably due to the fact that one of the starter bolts was wobbly and has since bin reset). I had to replace the flex plate (50 or so from napa for the th400) and the starter. Needed a new starter anyways, but I hate replacing things due to catastrophe. Saturday afternoons with a beer are a much more pleasant way to work on a truck.

I'm just saying that before you pull the starter and replace it make sure that this isn't part of the problem. Just a few more bolts after you pull the starter.

 

[Barrman]

Do you have a gear reduction starter that has gears between the motor and the Bendix?

 

[CROM]

I'm not sure, Barrman. I'd have to pull it apart to check. What if I do/don't?

 

[Barrman]

The direct drive starter is big and very heavy. The motor shaft is directly connected to the Bendix gear. not much to fail or make noise except the Bendix.

The reduction gear starter has just that. Reduction gears. The motor is smaller and offset above the Bendix housing some. It can have a Bendix slipping on you as well as the reduction gears slipping/grinding.

You seem to have checked the obvious. Starter turns, flywheel has teeth and isn't cracked. I was trying to think of the thing not looked at yet.

 

[Monty]

Mine had the bushing in the end of the starter egged out, I found this out while trying to start it in the cold. It decided to wipe 4 teeth off the flexplate, I ordered a new starter and flexplate replaced them both.

I did pull the starter apart and press in a new bushing, I belive the OD is 14mm not sure of the ID. I did find an oil imperegnated bushing through Grainger.

 

[jdeoliveira74]

could be a broken starter bolt. thats what mine did and sure enough it was a broken bolt and the starter shifted to the side and was a grinding mess!

 

[CROM]

Monty, what part number was the bushing you replaced?

 

[CROM]

Oh, by the way; Barrman. I do have a direct drive starter.

 

[GM-M1008]

My starter use to make a grinding noise and would not want to start. Pull the plug off the starter relay under the dash, find which one is power into the relay and which one goes to the starter. After figuring that out turn you key on and put a jumper wire on it (basically like push to start ) if it starts right up its your solenoid if it still does it its your starter. If you have not done the dog head starter relay mod, I would suggest to do so

 

[Rustsleeps]

My guess is a starter issue (see above suggestions) also damaged your ring gear on the flywheel. Remove the starter and have someone turn the crankshaft slowly while you use a good light to view all the teeth. If there is not an area or areas missing teeth, it is just a starter problem.

 

[parlay100]

I own a starter and alternator shop and joined today. PM me i do this all day.