Hi, I need to replace my starter contacts. The instructions in the FAQ from George Starter Motor Contacts says to use a wooden block on the contact plate and press it down with a hand press to 221 lbf. I don't have a hand press! Can I do this without a hand press? Hope this is not a stupid question. Thanks!
Replacing starter contacts
- Thread starter lnnguyen01
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As per my write up - the MANUAL says to use a press etc - I just used a wooden block and applied some pressure by hand - not a hand press 
cheers,
george.
cheers,
george.
use a 13mm wrench to hold the 'head' of the copper bolt so that the contacts stay flat in the starter. You can eyeball it.
I've put in dozens of starter contacts, never had an issue without using the wooden block.
I've put in dozens of starter contacts, never had an issue without using the wooden block.
SUMMIT CRUISERS
SILVER Star
It is very important to keep the contacts flat and to clean the inside of the plunger hole. I did mine 2 weeks ago, had to remove it again and then I found one of the contacts was slightly raised on one side (not perfectly level). I believe this caused some intermittent starting problems. It acted like the engine was locking up in the middle of the starting process. I removed the starter, leveled the contacts and cleaned the plunger hole out with a towel soaked in brake cleaner. Now is works perfectly. Not sure if it was the alignment of the contacts or the cleaning of the plunger hole. BTW, I did replace the plunger with new and the hole was not that dirty.
X2 on the 13 mm backup wrench. I also ground a 14mm socket head level to use for tightening the outer nuts.
X2 on the 13 mm backup wrench. I also ground a 14mm socket head level to use for tightening the outer nuts.
I did mine a few months back, and used a wooden block cut to fit just in between the sides of contacts and then used a large C-clamp to hold the wooden block tight against the contacts while I tightened them.
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
I did mine a couple of weeks ago and I must admit that I missed the part about pressing the contacts down. I did press them down but with a thumb while tightening them. So far so good. Hopefully I won't have to take them back out.
I used a wooden block and clamp to apply pressure. Good luck.
x4
Also, when reinstalling the starter in the truck, don't over-torque the lug for the wire as some have said that this may cause the plunger contact to tilt.
- Thread starter
- #10
Just FYI update. I replaced the contacts this week. It was difficult removing the two starter mounting bolts as space very tight but replacing the contacts were easy. I laid the starter upright on the ground, did use a vice, wooden block, or press. Just used my thumb to press down. Seems to have fixed my intermittent starting problem. Thanks to everyone's help!
Summit Cruisers; could you explain this some more: "I also ground a 14mm socket head level to use for tightening the outer nuts". Why and how did you do this? Got a photo of the socket head?
Anyone have a photo of the wooden block in action?
Anyone have a photo of the wooden block in action?
SUMMIT CRUISERS
SILVER Star
The outer 14mm nuts are very thin and to tighten them with a normal socket with tapered ends caused mine to start slipping and rounding off of the nut. One of the nuts (the right one illustrated in the post directly above) requires a lot of tightening to get the contact to firmly seat properly. I then ground off the the end of the socket where it was tapered inside to give the socket a direct more secure fit. I read someone had done this for removing the Differential fills with much success as well.
Replace the plunger while you're in there. It's not a job you want to do twice.
SUMMIT CRUISERS
SILVER Star
Any hand grinder with a new disk should work while holding the socket in vice, however; I rotate the socket against the side of an abrasive blade on my 14" chop saw. Bench grinder should work also but is more difficult to hold the socket steady.
I have replced hundreds of starter contacts at Toyota and have yet to need to replace a plunger. just make sure the contacting surface is still strait then clean it untill it is smooth and re-install no wood pressing is necessary. PS I have yet to have a comeback or replace a whole starter
