Brother can you spare a starter??

[EricG]

So we're leaving for a 2 week 2K mile road trip tomorrow - and last night, for the first time ever my starter didn't engage. Spins, but doesn't engage. A few taps with a hammer, and it works again, and has started about a dozen times or so since then with no issue. But not confidence inspiring.

Of course, rebuilding the starter has been on my todo list forever - just haven't gotten there yet.

So I'm considering carrying a spare. Is R&R of an 80 series starter a reasonable parking lot job? Any unusual tools required? Anybody have a spare laying around that I could borrow?

 

[Fitzgerald]

I used to carry a ball pein hammer around with me when I was DDing the 55. Works like a charm.

 

[EricG]

I used to carry a ball pein hammer around with me when I was DDing the 55. Works like a charm.

Yep, already packed.
How long did you drive it with that problem? Did it get worse in frequency? Did the hammer taps eventually stop working?

 

[CO_Hunter]

No idea on the difficulty of trail repair but I am sure there are plenty of threads on MUD. Might be worth buying one and keeping it in the rig during the trip and returning when you get home if not needed ?? Have a great trip, wish I could tag along

 

[EricG]

No idea on the difficulty of trail repair but I am sure there are plenty of threads on MUD.

Yea, I've been reading a few. Doesn't sound that bad actually. Simple jobs just never end up simple when I'm doing them though

Might be worth buying one and keeping it in the rig during the trip and returning when you get home if not needed ?? Have a great trip, wish I could tag along

Yea, was thinking about that also - wonder what the return policy is like.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Yep, already packed.
How long did you drive it with that problem? Did it get worse in frequency? Did the hammer taps eventually stop working?

It did eventually get worse, never to the point where I couldn't get it started, but it did get to the point to where I had to bust out the hammer a little too often.

It was probably a year or two before I switched it out. I'm sure there's quite a bit of difference in starters between my 1F and what you've got, so YMMV.

Good luck and have fun on the trip!

 

[EricG]

It did eventually get worse, never to the point where I couldn't get it started, but it did get to the point to where I had to bust out the hammer a little too often.

It was probably a year or two before I switched it out. I'm sure there's quite a bit of difference in starters between my 1F and what you've got, so YMMV.

Good luck and have fun on the trip!

Actually, I think I saw a thread somewhere that you can bolt up an old 1F or 2F starter to the 1FZ, and vice versa. The interchangeability of the parts on these is amazing. Take a look at this:

http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/lockers.html

Go to the differential gaskets, [FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]Part# DG36010 - fits 58 - 97, FJ40/55/60/[SIZE=-1]80[/SIZE]
[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[EricG]

Advance Auto will return it for up to one year if it hasn't been installed - gonna do that for peace of mind. And order the rebuild kit from CDan as soon as we get back. PS pump is dripping also, so will probably do both.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Sounds like a great plan. Peace of mind, priceless. Hope you all have a great trip!

btw, did my ps pump rebuild a couple of years ago. Still leaks but slower...

 

[Stokes]

I rebuilt mine recently with new contacts and a new plunger and when it gets cold it still spins like that. Not really sure if the bendix in it is going bad, but it works! Rebuild for $40 is much better than the money for a new starter.