Guess I know why it won't start...

I aways thought the starter sounded a little funny and was going to pull it out for a rebuild. The it quit working a couple of weeks ago (would just spin and not engage) so today was a little warmer than it has been and I decided to go pull it. This is what I found after it a got it off.

Effect noted, now the search for the cause begins. Yikes!

Did it have the rear brace on it ?

Yes it had a rear brace. I haven't had the truck that long and have not driven it much but every time I started it is sound like it had a high pitch whine when the starter engaged. I am taking it to a starter shop I know to see if they can rebuild it and get another housing for it. I would like to stay with the direct drive if I can.

Your local NAPA store either has a 27MT nose cone in stock or can get one in a few days. They list for about $15. At least that is what I paid for one a few weeks ago at a NAPA.

The -20 takes you through a rebuild step by step. 27MT rebuild parts are around $30 on the internet. The hardest part of the entire process and the only thing harder than taking it off the truck is getting the collar back on the lock ring that holds the Bendix on. The thing that looks like a thick washer in your photo.

Barrman,

Thanks for the pointers.

Hey, no problem. A little polishing compound and that'll buff right out!


I'd take a look at that rear brace. Was it putting some stress on the starter? Trying to pull it out of alignment?

Rear brace looked OK and I think the mystery has been solved. I took the starter to my starter/alternator guy and after a little cleaning we determined that the starter is a Duralast DL8401S ( 12 volt starter) that some previous knucklehead had put in. The truck is still 24 volt so I am sure that is what caused the failure. Too much juice and not enough starter to handle it. My starter guy is building me a gear reduction drive starter in the correct voltage. So hopefully all will be as it should once I get it put back in.

There are some "aftermarket" starters floating around that are plain junk. Beware of them as well. They too will do the "spin, no engage" routine without breaking the nose housing.

Make sure you get the different rear brace if you are switching over to redux.