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.

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.

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...

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).

Good to hear.