Starter motor replacement

[hemsley]

I'm in just replacing the starter motor on my Elan +2 and would like to know what type of grease or lubricant I should apply to the pinion. From examining the split and fractured pinion on the one I've removed (made a noise like very healthy christmas cracker when it failed), it looks a bit dry.

Any suggestions?

Happy New Year.
Martin.

[john.p.clegg]

Just an educated guess but maybe it should be dry to prevent crud sticking to it?
John

[nebogipfel]

Not sure what is recommended but over the years I have worked a small amount of oil into the pinion and then wiped most of it off ........ so that it is lubricated but only just

Grease will create a sticky mess and as JPC says too much lubricant will cause dust to adhere and cause more problems than it solves.

I have found that when very lightly lubricated they tend to stick less and are a little bit quieter in operation

[john.p.clegg]

Maybe just a little something on the teeth to help them engage?
John

[twincamman]

I have had success with a little atf on the shaft once a year --and make sure the bung is in place --ed

[rgh0]

I use motorbike chain lube on the sliding pinion shaft and pinion gear itself for my preengage starter ( and bendix gear before I changed).

Designed for exposed gears / sprokets / shafts like this.

Rohan

[worzel]

Hi Martin

I may be wrong on this but I was given to understand that the correct lubricant is powdered graphite- the same stuff that should be used for door locks.

Don't know where you buy it however because my old man gave me the stuff 20 odd years ago.

John

[saildrive2001]

You should only use a dry lubricant, powdered graphite is the recommended lubricant, you don't want oil or grease on the pinion that will collect dust or dirt in it. I haven't used it for this purpose but I know you can buy a spray can which is a dry graphite lubricant at Canadian tyre stores here in Canada.