Brand new starter bendix is jamming

mkirsch · Oct 7, 2008

Here's a good one...

Bought a Super C off ebay, local, smokin' deal, and nobody else bid (sign of the times maybe?). Seller was not happy, he was expecting about $1000 more, but he honored the deal.

He said he was having problems with the starter engaging. We got it home and took the starter apart. The starter drive (Bendix as I call it) is brand new, but it sticks in the "home" or "return" position, and will not spin forward to engage the flywheel about half the time.

There is one tiny nick at the end of one of the threads, which we cleaned up with a file. It still sticks. You can flip the gear back with your finger and it will get stuck so bad that you need to pry it loose with a screwdriver.

Is the only solution to this a new bendix? Not a big deal, only about a 10 minute job really, but not cheap.

Bob M · Oct 7, 2008

I ran into exactly the same problem when I replaced the bendix on my Super H with a brand new one.

Apparently the lead-in ramp on the male screw on the new bendix was not properly cut. This caused the pinion to jam when it got spun back home by the ring gear as the engine started.

Unfortunately I needed the tractor right away - could not afford time exchange the sticky bendix for another one. So I put a couple spots of weld on the OD of the male bendix screw to stop the pinion about 1/4" away from the point where it was jamming. Cleaned the weld faces up a bit with a file (so the pinion was hitting a flat surface) then put the starter back on the tractor. It's been working perfectly ever since - about 6 years now.

Hayfarmer · Oct 7, 2008

Had the same thing with a bendix I bought from NAPA. It was on a JD430. I tried cleaning it up with a file and emery cloth and other stuff. got it work fairly well sometimes. Finally ordered one from a farm supply place and had it on hand until the old one gave up. Not sure what the problem was with the old one, going too far back or the ramp being sticky.

mkirsch · Oct 7, 2008

Bob, this guy probably got his Bendix from the same place you did... He was over in Churchville.

But anyway, it's doing exactly as you describe.

The threads are "ramped" instead of a dead stop-cut. I would think you'd want the threads to maintain the same depth right to the end.

Bob M · Oct 7, 2008

I got mine from Golden Alternator on Elmgrove Rd. But they had to order it from somewhere else - likely the same place yours came from(!)

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You're right the problem is the lead-in ramp. It should be square cut or have a shoulder on the OD instead.

Formerly PaMike · Oct 7, 2008

I had my starter completely rebuilt, then the bendix started sticking. I took it back to the starter shop. He said these starters are known for bendix problems. He said he buys his bendix from a manufacturer that supposedly reworked them so they will no longer stick....He returned mine for a refund....I would try calling around to a good starter shop and see what you can find...

glennster · Oct 7, 2008

can you put a thin shim washer behind the bendix so it doesnt travel to the full dis- engage position. napa usually has thin stock copper washers.

Janicholson · Oct 7, 2008

I would use a Steel washer drilled or filed out to OD of spiral splines. The thickness would only matter if the teeth were touching the ring gear, and I think there is a good gap there. Copper or brass can fracture pretty easily. JimN

Hugh MacKay · Oct 8, 2008

mkirsch: Get rid of the damn Bendix. Go to CaseIH and buy one of the clutch type starter drives. Far superior to a Bendix.

Brand new starter bendix is jamming

mkirsch

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Bob M

Well-known Member

Hayfarmer

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mkirsch

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Bob M

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Formerly PaMike

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glennster

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Janicholson

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Hugh MacKay

Well-known Member

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