Can Starter Motor Terminal Be Serviced?

[YL82]

I am able to make a decent connection with what little thread I have left to work with using the 10mm nut to secure the starter motor cable, but its a tenuous situation.

Broke about 3/16" of threads off while tightening (perhaps overly so) the nut to make sure the cable was secured. Snap!

I serviced the starter (new brushes, sanded commutator, cleaned armature, etc.) and hate to go back inside just to look whether terminal can be replaced.

Anyone know whether terminal can be replaced from the inside of the housing with a new bolt? Other ideas?

Thanks.

 

[pamcopete]

I think everybody is waiting so you can tell us!

 

[YL82]

Oh, I see how it is!

Sure, I'll check it out.

I don't know the full length that needs to protrude out of the starter if I am able to put in another bolt. Sure don't want a new one to protrude too much since that terminal is in harms way and is easy to knock off (and overtorque as I learned).

 

[YL82]

Oh, I see how it is!

Sure, I'll check it out. I don't have the starter with me, so I'm having to look at past pics I took. I'm cautiously optomistic based upon an image I took a few months ago. The dark red plastic piece seen on the inside looks like the one I removed and it looks like wire is secured with some sort of screw (Wrong!).

I don't know the full length that needs to protrude out of the starter if I am able to put in another bolt. Sure don't want a new one to protrude too much since that terminal is in harms way and is easy to knock off (and overtorque as I learned).

Will share what I find out!

I believe I have my answer w/o having to open up my starter motor thanks to my gazillion images.

After taking a closer look, I don't consider the terminal to be servicable - at least I'm not going to mess with it from the inside (see images).

I plan to try either a coupling nut and short section of all-thread or (in all likelihood) a Male to Female Threaded Hex Standoff (from McMaster Carr). Never heard of a standoff before a couple days ago, but I'm hopeful that will work for me.

 

[retiredgentleman]

Looks like you may be able to repair the terminal.

However, if it does not work for you, you can just buy another starter motor. Many of the young lads like to remove the starter motor, and just do the kick thing. There should be lots of them for sale.

 

[Downeaster]

You are correct, that terminal is not serviceable by the average home mechanic.

It is silver-soldered to the field windings in the motor case.

A good starter/generator shop would be able to fix it tho.

Edit: As long as you pay attention to the insulation, there's no reason the hex standoff won't work.

 

[YL82]

Considering that I'm a below-average home mechanic, that definetly rules me out!

I had assumed (incorrectly) that it would be hard to locate a replacement starter motor. Then again, I haven't been looking for one. I'm damn near 50 yrs. old so I think I'll keep using a starter motor.

I'll report back on how the standoff works out. May be a while since I'm doing my first engine rebuild. I've been meaning to start a new thread - still in disassembly stage.

 

[Downeaster]

I had assumed (incorrectly) that it would be hard to locate a replacement starter motor. Then again, I haven't been looking for one. I'm damn near 50 yrs. old so I think I'll keep using a starter motor.

I'm 62 and I don't think that even puts me in the Top Ten for Chronologically Challenged XS Riders.

 

[Shipper]

I'm 62 and I don't think that even puts me in the Top Ten for Chronologically Challenged XS Riders.

70 and still kicking it over w/o any problems. C'mon Man!!

 

[kevski]

Carefully file the threads off, and re-cut with a 5mm die then use slightly larger outside diameter 5mm washers, job done.

 

[kshansen]

I was going to comment on this thread saying I had a starter I could rob parts from to fix this one, I would sell cheap to help fix this one then noticed it was a never closed thread from back in 2013!