Did my local starter shop do me wrong?

[70Crew]

I was having intermittent starter issues with an original Bosch 211-012-013 starter so I took it in to the local starter/generator rebuild shop. I told them it sounded like the solenoid was failing but that was just a guess. The employee took it in the back and I heard him do a couple bench test runs. It sounded like it was slowing down over each 3-5 second run. He said it sounded like the motor was failing and they’d need to pull it apart. He called back the next day and said my bushing must be bad because the shaft was not properly supported and it had worn the case.

I have since read that the original starter can’t be bench tested unless it is connected to the transmission housing. I am fairly certain (although not sure) that this shop wouldn’t have a test stand for a VW starter, unless there is a universal stand that supports the shaft. I am guessing that when they ran the initial test, the damage to the case was done… that’s the noise I heard, with the unsupported shaft hitting the case and getting further out of round the longer it ran. Does that sound like a reasonable assessment? Just trying to educate myself before I go back and talk to them.
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1970 Crew Cab

[alman72]

keep it together.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708917

[70Crew]

[aeromech]

Yep. They screwed you. Ask to see their test rig.

I suggest you buy the self supported auto trans starter. I got one recently from Amazon.
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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
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VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
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Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[aeromech]

[70Crew]

[wcfvw69]

I'm glad to see you use your local starter repair shop first before going to amazon. Starter/alternator/generator shops are going to disappear rapidly if we don't support them with our business. Well have to ship everything around the country to get something fixed. Hopefully, yours is going to take care of your problem, even if they messed it up.

The last time I bought a new Bosch Generator was 10-15 years ago. I was in a hurry for a generator. I bought a new Bosch made in Mexico one. Out of the box, it was clear the quality was much lower than the original German version. The brushes didn't slide down the holders well and I kept getting a gen light on. I finally pulled the brushes and installed almost new used German ones along with the German brush springs that were much thicker and better quality. The problem went away. I did notice how flimsy the brush holders were too along with the cheap brush springs.

I kept my German one and had it rebuilt. No issues at all post rebuild.
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