(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Starter Noise

M

Melvin Ware

Member
Had to replace the starter on my Farmall M back in May. Very easy job and the replacement worked fine - until about a week ago. Now, anytime the tractor is running, there's a loud metallic rattling noise that seems to be coming from the starter. Most noticeable when the tractor is idleing since at higher RPM there's more engine noise. Pulled the starter Saturday to check if the gear was maybe hitting the flywheel but no sign of any wear, etc. Did notice the starter gear seems very loose on the shaft and wondering if that could be the source of the noise? Called the electric shop where I bought the starter and they said they've never heard of this but offered to take a look if I'll bring it by. Any ideas?
 
There are 2 starter drives the old style with a big spring, and a new cushon drive with small weak looking spring. It needs the new one. Jim
 
Jim,
Thanks for your reply and sorry for the late response but I"ve been out of town on vacation. The starter seems to have a very small & weak spring as you mentioned so I assume I have the right one. In fact, if I hold the starter in my hands and give it a shake the gear will rattle, similar to what I hear on the tractor. The guy I bought the stater from says it"s impossible to hear that with the engine running. I also noticed a "winding down" sound from the starter as the tractor is turned off - almost as if the starter were spinning. I removed the power cable to the starter and rolled the tractor off but the noises are still there. However, if I remove the starter and roll the tractor off, all the noises are gone so I know these sounds are coming from the starter. Any suggestions on how to eliminate these noises?
 
What you are describing may be caused by the drive not retracting on the helix splines.

The M starter used a drive that is engaged by inertia. When the started is energized the rapid acceleration of the armature causes the drive to extend forward on the helix splines. It remains forward and engaged with the ring gear teeth until the engine starts. Once the engine is running it spins the drive faster than the armature is spinning which causes the drive to retract back down the helix. The little spring is there to keep the drive from going forward when the starter is not is use.

You should be able to spin the drive in and out on the splines with little effort. If not the drive may stay engaged with the ring gear.
 
Just wanted to let you know that I resolved the problem with noise from a newly installed starter on my M tractor. There was a loud rattle in the starter with the engine running and a winding down of the starter when the engine was turned off. To make a long story short, I concluded there was virtually no clearance between the front face of the starter pinion gear and the back face of the flywheel ring gear. The gears were contacting causing the starter to rattle and spin. The guy at the starter shop moved some internal spacers from the back to the front end of the starter shaft which provided just over 1/8 inch clearance between the starter and flywheel gears. Now everything seems to be working fine!
 
There should be four thrust washers if you have the original style drive. The two with the smaller ID should go, one on each end, to control the end play of the armature. The other two, one thick and one thin, with the larger ID go between the front thrust washer and the drive to control the travel of the gear on the drive. These two are not used if you have the newer style drive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
AC 185 transmission
Replies
7
Views
405
DrAllis
D
C
Oliver 1650 Pump Noise
Replies
17
Views
628
ChevyK30
C
J
806 mcv /steering/ta clutch not right
Replies
7
Views
441
the tractor vet
T
M
4020 PTO loud buzzing
Replies
10
Views
1K
fdt860
F
Hemmjo
worrysome 860 engine noise
Replies
11
Views
542
Jeff Hamilton
J
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top