My Starter is grinding (loud)when cranking!!!--any ideas??

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting & Diagnosis' started by 75LTCAMARO350, Oct 9, 2007.

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  1. Oct 9, 2007 #1
    75LTCAMARO350

    75LTCAMARO350 Member

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    Apr 5, 2007
    Houston, TX
    The car is a '75 LT V-8. auto.
    It will start, and drive---
    After like 1 second cranking it will start loud grinding noise....
    someone told me to shimmer it?? Don't know what that is.

    Any help would be great!! THX in advance!!
     
    75LTCAMARO350, Oct 9, 2007
    75LTCAMARO350, Oct 9, 2007
    #1
  2. Oct 9, 2007 #2
    CorkyE

    CorkyE Veteran Member Lifetime Gold Member

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    CorkyE, Oct 9, 2007
    CorkyE, Oct 9, 2007
    #2
  3. Oct 9, 2007 #3
    angel71rs

    angel71rs Veteran Member

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    Did it just start happening, or after a new starter install? You usually shim on install to get proper tooth engagement. Is it a grinding noise or a loud whining noise? If whining, it might be the bendix. It kicks the starter gear back. When they go bad, your starter will sometimes crank for an instant, then the bendix kicks out and the starter just free revs, so you get the whining noise.
     
    angel71rs, Oct 9, 2007
    angel71rs, Oct 9, 2007
    #3
  4. Oct 9, 2007 #4
    75LTCAMARO350

    75LTCAMARO350 Member

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    Apr 5, 2007
    Houston, TX
    I just got the car. I don't think a new starter is in it. But I'll check.

    The noise is NOT very high pitched. But it sure is a nasty grinding sounding. As soon as I hear it I let off the starter key and crank again. Just repeat until it starts.

    I will get under it and see if anything loose.
     
    75LTCAMARO350, Oct 9, 2007
    75LTCAMARO350, Oct 9, 2007
    #4
  5. Oct 9, 2007 #5
    68400BIRD

    68400BIRD Veteran Member

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    Sounds like it just needs to be shimmed or it could be lose.
     
    68400BIRD, Oct 9, 2007
    68400BIRD, Oct 9, 2007
    #5
  6. Oct 9, 2007 #6
    gordonquixote

    gordonquixote Veteran Member Lifetime Gold Member

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    Sometimes over time the starter shifts some and moves away from the flywheel. Then the bendix and the flywheel don't mesh and the gears grind.

    Loosen op the starter so you can easily wiggle it, pull the solenoid end of the starter away from the block (usually won't move much), and then tighten it back down. Try this before you take undertake the hassle of shims, shim it as plan B.

    I had the same problem and fixed mine this way Sunday (I tried to start mine in gear and it shifted the starter).
     
    gordonquixote, Oct 9, 2007
    gordonquixote, Oct 9, 2007
    #6
  7. Oct 9, 2007 #7
    68400BIRD

    68400BIRD Veteran Member

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    Just as a helpful tip, you do not have to take the starter out to shim it. Look at the shims and only take out the one bolt that you need to. The other side just slides in.
     
    68400BIRD, Oct 9, 2007
    68400BIRD, Oct 9, 2007
    #7
  8. Oct 10, 2007 #8
    75LTCAMARO350

    75LTCAMARO350 Member

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    Apr 5, 2007
    Houston, TX
    THANKS for the great info!! I like to start with the easy stuff first.

    Should I try maybe jumping the car---to see if there is a weak battery in it causing this grinding????

    The battery looks kind of new---but........
    I 'll check for good connections also
     
    75LTCAMARO350, Oct 10, 2007
    75LTCAMARO350, Oct 10, 2007
    #8
  9. Oct 10, 2007 #9
    68400BIRD

    68400BIRD Veteran Member

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    A bad battery is not going to cause grinding but it could cause a slow rotation of the motor or starter that will sound real bad. If the starter is turning the motor over real fast I would not worry about the battery. Or you could have the battery load tested. If the starter is crashing into the flywheel and then turning the motor over it will give you a grinding noise. I would get a pack of shims out of the help section and install one of the thinner ones and keep going up until the noise goes away. This is a common problem so don't feel like you car is the only one doing this.
     
    68400BIRD, Oct 10, 2007
    68400BIRD, Oct 10, 2007
    #9
  10. Oct 10, 2007 #10
    Twisted_Metal

    Twisted_Metal Moderator Staff Member Lifetime Gold Member

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    Use a 1/8" drill bit to check the starter/flywheel clearance. :D

    Put a 1/8" drill bit between the flywheel teeth and the starter shaft. If it's too tight, add shims till it clears. If it's too loose, remove shims.
     
    Twisted_Metal, Oct 10, 2007
    Twisted_Metal, Oct 10, 2007
    #10
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