Loose starter motor bushing

[Who.Me?]

Is a loose starter motor bushing a problem? With the engine out, I can pull the one in my out rearwards with my fingers. It looks to me like whoever clearanced the bellhousing for the bigger flywheel took some material from the bushing socket, leaving it loose.

It's been like this without any apparent problems for years (I always intend to fix it when I have the engine out, but end up running so far behind with repairs that I ignore it again when I need to put the engine back)

This time however, after refitting the gearbox and engine I get a brief electric/turbine whine when cranking the engine over.

I've also had an intermittent failure to crank for a while (sometimes I just get the solenoid click when I turn the key). I initially thought the solenoid was on its way out, but others suggested testing the battery, and it is a little weak, so I've been putting that down to the battery.

Could the loose bushing be the cause of either issue, or is it more likley that my starter is just going bad?

I have a spare good starter, but if the bushing is likely to be the problem, I may sell it and get a self-supporting one instead.
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Andy


Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786

[Stocknazi]

Loctite (green colored) sleeve retaining compound would work great in this application. I've used it on a couple of my reduction box bearings to housings b/c they were not a tight press fit.

You do want to use a new or withing spec ID bushing and thoroughly grease the flywheel teeth and bushing.
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[Eric&Barb]

[Eric&Barb]

Would first try a new bushing to see if it is loose. If not you might be better getting the self supporting type, the 12 volt is super easy to acquire, while the 6 volt version can be more of a hunt.

Bushings worn will result in insulation torn off the wires inside the starter, not the other symptoms you describe.
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[von_hansel]

I highly recommend using a new bushing to see if that fixes your problem.

The correct drift is tool #222A. You can also use a socket to knock the old one out and to install the new bushing.

You can reach out to samba member RWK to make you the starter bushing drift. He has made me a couple of drifts and I have been satisfied with his tool making capabilities.
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[Who.Me?]

Thanks. Sounds like the two issues aren't related.
I realised last night that the front flange on the engine keeps that bearing from being pushed out by the starter, which explains why it hasn't dropped in to the bell housing already.
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Andy


Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786

[j.pickens]

If you're running a 12V flywheel, just get an autostick starter. It is unsupported by any bushings... FTW!
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[BarryL]

[sub-hatchtim]

[70bus]

2x on RWK's tools and 3x on self-supporting starters.
However, if you ever want to make it look stock, or need a replacement starter in a hurry, sort out the bushing anyways; gives you options.
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Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams

Raul the 65 singlecab

Karl the 70 nine-seater

[sub-hatchtim]

if your budget allows run one of these

no bushing, they are dimensionally smaller and lighter so much easier to mange

https://www.chirco.com/hi-torque-wosp-starter-fits-vw-bug-swing-axle-or-irs-vw-002-bus-or-mendeola/
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58 Dove blue singlecab
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