Topic: Starter shims

[GBJeep]

also, if you could help explain this "drive lever" to me, that would be appreciated.  Are you saying when AutoZone tested it they could have missed this? 

Thanks

[neale_rs]

I think i am going to get some shims and try them tonight. 

any tricks to getting the shims to stay on top of the starter while putting it back in?

You can slot one side of the shim if it didn't come that way.  Take out the outside bolt and then, without taking the starter down, you can slide the slotted end on the loosened remaining bolt (engine side).  Then put in the bolt you took out.

[neale_rs]

also, if you could help explain this "drive lever" to me, that would be appreciated.  Are you saying when AutoZone tested it they could have missed this? 

Thanks

I don't know how Autozone tests these things but it could be they missed something.  You have to take into account that a starter that was working well is not working normally now, so chances are there is something wrong with it.  The drive lever pushes the drive gear toward the flywheel when the solenoid is energized.  I don't know exactly what happened to mine but it was causing grinding sounds.

[dexetr30]

also, if you could help explain this "drive lever" to me, that would be appreciated.  Are you saying when AutoZone tested it they could have missed this? 

Thanks

The "drive lever" is connected to the solenoid. It engages and disengages the starters drive gear/bendix.

[GBJeep]

Thanks guys for the help!  I ended up just buying a new starter and it is working fine w/o any shims.  Went back to AutoZone and got my money back from their "lifetime warranty", after they they told me it is working "great".  So all is well and thanks for the help!!