Just wondering how long a Starter-Bendix should last . I'm approaching 2000 miles and today my Bendix crapped out . Its under warranty so its going in but is this normal for this amount of miles or should these thing last alot longer . I don't want to be fixing this every year . Thanks

 

Can extend life of bendix if when cranking. I use left hand to crank and when starts,BLIP throttle quickly and will kick back bendix quicker,eliminating hanging up which is one reason they can wear out quickly. When you start and hear bendix still engaging,this contributes to premature wear. PLUS,they need to be greased every now and then. Good luck

 

Mr. Polaris Tech,

You were very helpful with fixing my grinding tranny problem and I thank you. I have one last problem. When I try to start my 2001 ranger, it sounds as if the bendix doesn't engage the flywheel long enough to spin it, and then slips off and I hear it grinding against the flywheel. If I pull the spark plug out, the starter will engage and keep spinning the engine over and over. I took the starter apart and cleaned everything and it spins niclely by itself. I am going to replace the battery today. The bendix gear seems to move very freely by hand. Seems to be the battery, the starter or the bendix part. I will eliminate the battery tonight since it's so old, but I still can't crank the engine (with the spark plug in) even if a battery charger is attached. Any thoughts? Thank you again. deereman@dcr.net

 

If bendix seems likes its kicking back or grinding under load,CHECK teeth on bendix,if sharp,worn, could be problem even though it may spin out and in ok.I've replaced a lot just because teeth were ground down and wont engage flywheel properly and kick back (flywheel teeth a lot stronger) Check starter by removing bendix,see if turns freely with switch,no slow running,or binding sound. Sounds like bendix from your description!

 

I also found that the metal cup that the rear of the bendix spins in was chipped and when I pulled it out, there was a crack in it that ran all the way around it. The bendix would still spin very freely, but I will obviously replace that little cup. The cup in the engine cover looks good.

 

YES forgot about bushing in engine case! have had a few chip and crack also! Good luck