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Ok so i have 3 now starters on the bench that all do the same thing... they spin but wont engage the flywheel!

It looks to be like a double helical gearing and maybe the inner one looks sticky. Anyone well versed in getting these to work properly? i think i have heard your not saposse to use any type of lube except graphite? They all spin. seems a shame to dump them

Dave - Yeah, they get sticky and don't work. Need to be cleaned up with brake-clean, blow dry with compressed air, repeat if needed, make sure it's really clean. Get a tube of dry graphite, sprinkle it on and work it back and forth. If they get oily, they stop working, any oil at all and it just takes a little dirt to be attracted to the oil.

Ok thanks tom...thats kinda what i figured....i saw some replacement drives on ebay for like 13 bucks.
Do you have any experience taking the gear off to clean or replace it? The one i have has a nut...but i cant really detemine how to hold the shaft to loosen the nut without samaging anything. The other 2 seem to have a crimped ferule or something...seems like only removal would be to destroy it.

Hello, air powered impact should get the nut off. Those things are usually full of black dust inside. A complete cleaning inside usually helps them also. Mike

Ok yea the impact worked with another hand kinda wedging the gear.... so that one is now apart.... on to the other 2.... these are like crimped? or snap ringed or something?

This sounds good. I have a 20 that was semi working. R u going to get inside? I had to get in one time because the post was loose or something. Post some pics if u can

With a 12 count and Dave's 600 Beter be able too! Also the fact he is our web master.... Dave I don't have that steering spindle you need.

....good one Joe.....I was eluding to....if he wants...or has time.lol

So I didn't feel like getting into anything heavy tonight....so I found the old Magnum 20 Starter. I could sell as used for like $15.... Or learn how to freshen them up. So I disassembled in like 10 minutes. Looks really good....just gunky and needs cleaned up. Now I remember I was in one before to replace the brush holder few years ago. I'm not sure how I found the Problem... probably just stopped working....or maybe the terminal kept turning.
So...what is the best way to clean these parts up of light grease....dust and metal dust?

Probably my shortest post ever...

Use this:

Looks perfect Tom....I will look for a can.

This is the kinda project that makes u feel good....lol done in an hour. I did not get the Electra lube....used a break clean for electrical stuff. I had a hard time getting the metal filings out from the magnet but another magnet worked pretty good. Gave a light 220 then 600 sanding to the brush surface....commuter thing. Put a couple dabs of engine oil on the bushings and got it back together. Made a "U" shaped tongue depresser to ad getting it back together. Then used lots of the dry graphite lube. There is a hollow in the gear housing...so I squeezed some in there too. Wrapped it back up for another day if needed. Thanks Dave for getting me jump started on this.

Good job dag.....looks good and u will have it for a rainy day. Just a heads up.... brake clean is clorinated and not good for that stuff.....

Thanks for the heads up....no...I used none clorinated brake clean......and did not use much at all. So I don't need the police knocking on my door....

Well, now we're to the point that dag is both complimenting and admonishing himself... Good job, dag!