149 starter question -- what is this?
 

The 149 quit starting yesterday.... I turned the key and it just clicked. I pulled it out of the way and started poking around this morning.

I was looking things over, and saw a thin piece of metal sticking out the end of the starter shaft, by the pulley. I tried to pull it out, but it was stuck! The starter has been spinning really slowly anyway, and I've been wanting to pull it apart to see what the inside looks like. I don't know what I'm looking for, but sometimes I can't help myself :biggrin2:

Anyway, I pulled the whole thing off [I think that starter weighs as much as a Craftsman rider I used to have....]. Sure enough, that thin piece of metal was stopping the starter from spinning. I took the front cover off, and there was more of that metal inside a little groove of the cover.

Here's a photo. Is that thin piece of metal something that's supposed to be in there, and now needs to be replaced? Or something foreign that just found its way in?

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/p...pictureid=5700

:bigthink: Looks like a Shim Washer.

Looks like whats left of the bearing.

I do not see a picture.

Neither do I.

This is the pic he posted.

Sorry about the photo issues.... I can see it on both Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. I uploaded it through the "Insert Image" icon. :BangPC:

I think J-Mech is right.... Part of the bearing is gone! Looks like they're $25-30.

Is there anything I should do while this is taken apart? Grease, cleaning, etc.

Here are a couple more photos of what the inside looks like [I'll try attaching this time, instead of inserting....].

Thanks!

Got a bearing from the Cub/Case dealer....

Should I grease the outer ring before setting it in the S/G cap? Also wondering if you all have tips on what/how to clean while this is cracked open....

Thanks!

I never grease the outer ring of a bearing as it should fit really snug and that part does not move. Since electricity is involved I clean out those area with air being careful not to use a great deal of pressure.

Spray it all out with brake cleaner. You won't hurt it. Did you get 2 bearings? There is one on each end. Although I'm sure you had no problem getting the bearings from CCC, there are MUCH cheaper options with bearings that are as good or better.

Thanks Paul and Jonathan

I didn't think about the other bearing.... Just checked and there's no play, so maybe I'll leave that one alone.

Getting the bearing from the dealer wasn't hard....but it took 4 days and a 25 mile round trip. Yeah, if there are cheaper alternatives, I'm all ears!

Another question.... On the end opposite the pulley, right above the small bearing, there's something that looks like a wick. It's in a hole that goes through the cap from inside to out. Any idea what that is?

(Another question.... On the end opposite the pulley, right above the small bearing, there's something that looks like a wick. It's in a hole that goes through the cap from inside to out. Any idea what that is?)

An oil hole to oil the bearing.

Yep! :ThumbsUp:

The original bearing should have had an oil hole in it. I do no know if the new bearings have it or not.

Nice! That wick is about as dirty as can be.... Maybe I have something laying around to replace it.

Paul mentioned that the outer ring should fit snug and not move. If I understand that correctly, I think I have a problem.... I set the bearing in the recess and it's pretty darn loose [see photo below -- I pushed the bearing to one side so you can see how much space is on the other side]. The outer ring of the old bearing is the same size as the new one....

The small ring fits on the shaft very snug, so it'll spin with the shaft. Seems like with that much play in the end cap recess, everything that's not the inner ring would just be spinning however it wanted.

Do I somehow need to make sure the outer ring is snug in the cap, or is this how it's supposed to fit?!? :bigthink:

Yeah. You definitely have a problem. It looks like the right size bearing, but it should not be loose in the case like that. Looks like the old bearing's outer race was spinning and wore out the case.

So..... couple things.
First off. I wouldn't use that bearing even if it did fit. It's not right. You need a sealed bearing. That one is open and designed to run in oil/grease. It will just fill up with dirt and fail again.
Second, you need to make sure the bearing is the correct size. (I am pretty sure it is.) I can't tell from the pic. If it is indeed the correct size, then you need to either find another S/G or a new/another end cap because that one is gone.

Sorry for the bad news. :(

I agree with Jonathan. The only hope for that end cap is to possibly machine it round, and then sleeve it. Or find an alternate bearing with a larger OD.
Good Luck!

I was going to mention that. (Machining it) but with the hole being so egg shaped, it would take some time to make sure it's centered. My local machine shop does this all the time with electric motors. It is do-able! :ThumbsUp:

Well that stinks.... Thanks for the info and tips everybody!

You may be better off buying a rebuilt SG when all is said and done. :beerchug:

I hear ya! :beerchug: