[jdk81]

For a couple of years my starter motor has been making a crunching sound just after starting.
Over the last week I have been experiencing intermitent whirring (where the starter just spins but wont engage.
Yesterday, it decided to just whir.
This is a write up of how to strip the starter down, and clean the stator clutch.
I also cleaned and lubed the solenoid, and inspected the brushes and commutator.

A link I found to assist
http://www.rollaclub.com/faq/index.php? ... ional_Type

[jdk81]

Reverse the procedure, installing the clutch, locking collar and retaining clip onto the shaft.

I dont have more pics, but you can undo the two phillips head screws on the base of the starter motor.
Clean and inspect the brushes, and commutator (bottom the shaft with all the copper bits).
When its all clean and nice, a little bit of lube helps (not too much, avoid lube on the brushes and commutator).

Reassemble.

Mine makes a little sound when engaging (I feel it may improve over time as the remaining solvent dries out).

The writing on the stator clutch is
ZEN 18 72071 140801
Replacements should be available at autoelects and probably bearing shops.
Will probably be a different number/manufacturer, Ill see if it comes to that.

[bogga]

haha.....this is what I got up to today. Like a new one now

[Plod]

Great post JDK81,
I have the same problem. Helped me no end this morning when I stripped my starter motor down...... BUT... the label had worn off so i didn't know which model number I had. All was going so well till I carefully pried the stator apart and found it had a round internal without a split washer and that the springs and lugs had to be in the compressed position before you can put it back together, DOH!
After chasing springs around the garage I moved inside and spent a long while with two picks sliding the lugs back and forth until I gave up and looked to so how much a new starter would be at the local auto electrician, $180, that's a lot of beer!
So back to it with the picks and it slipped back together on the very next try and as you said reassemble and all is working ok.

No I haven't and won't be taking it apart again to take a picture!

The Newbie trap= Know what you are working on before you take it apart

[jdk81]

I contemplated just buying a new starter motor, but having just forked out for a new car, I decided to find a cheaper option.

Mine were all gunked up, the springs extended when they were off and I was cleaning them.
Cost of new starter was why I did it. Its not 100%, ideally I should strip it down and go and buy some new bearings and new stator clutch, as everything else is in good condition. But I'm lazy and a tightass.

[Scales]

wicked post mate, very informative. Ill have to get around to re-furbing mine soon.
GOODTECH?

[Rossco]

Just to add to this because I attempted to service the clutch this weekend. I couldn't get it open so I went to the auto elec and got a new one for $40. For a g16b starter motor Its OEX part # DRX72071 and called RPL drive mitsubishi 8th