starter shimming
#1
starter shimming
Hello everyone. I've got my first experience with shimming a starter. I have a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville. Changed the starter, and it now makes a grinding noise when I try to start the car. I noticed a small flat piece of metal that fell out when I took the old starter off. I didn't think much about it, but later found out that the old starter was shimmed across both bolts. I tried re-shimming it with the shim that I had like it was, but it still grinds. I read where I might need to just shim the back bolt--the longer one away from the front of the car, but I can't figure out how to get to it. I also noticed that others take the flywheel cover off of the car to better access all of this as well. I have not done that as of yet. Any ideas out there as to how to get this fixed? This is a rebuilt starter from AutoZone, and I asked them if they had any starter shims, and they referred me to a dealer...I'm a little stumped. Any ideas out there as to how to fix this? I'm open to suggestions.
#2
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I've done a few starters and never had to deal with shims. Are you sure you bolted it in correctly. make sure you didn't pinch one of the plastic inspection covers.
#3
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Yeah, been there ...had to do that. Once out of a ton of times. Typically the machining on current starters is such that you don't have to shim, but sometimes...
#4
Follow up -- I returned the starter and picked up a "better grade" remanufactuered starter...bolted it up..no shims needed...works like a charm...lesson learned: ask the parts guy if they have MANY or ANY issues with the starter that you are purchasing. I found out not all remanufactuered starters are "created equal". I should have been wary when my original starter mentioned shims and a guage tool but were not included. Oh well. I'm back on the road (minus the grinding starter).
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goldeni
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09-11-2009 11:25 AM