I want to replace the drive gear on my Delco GM starter. Does anyone just sell the gear? Secondly, how does it come off the end of the shaft. I can't remove that little stop ring from the shaft to pull the gear off. I have the iron nose off of the starter, just can't slide the gear past that stop ring.

take the starter into a NAPA or some other such GOOD parts store, and ask the old man behind the counter for a new Bendix (that's what the old timers used to call a "starter drive gear"), and how to put the thing on..

Get a rebuild kit. They include the "drive gear", new brushes, and the bushing for nose and end plate. Personally I have never had luck replacing the bushings, so I toss them.

The drive gear is held on by the small snap ring at the end of the shaft. It should come off with a little screw driver, or pliers.

Steve

The drive gear is held on by the small snap ring at the end of the shaft. It should come off with a little screw driver, or pliers.

Steve

Right, but there is a collar over that retaining ring, (more like a retaining wire) and I can't get the collar off of it to remove the clip. :angry:

Here are some pics......

Maybe you could try these guys:

Starter repair near you (http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-21,GGLG:en&q=starter+repair&near=Nazareth,+PA+18064&sa=X&oi=local&ct=title)

Right, but there is a collar over that retaining ring, (more like a retaining wire) and I can't get the collar off of it to remove the clip. :angry:

Here are some pics......

Use a deep barrel socket to knock the collar down the shaft off of the ring, pry the ring off, don't forget to put the collar on the shaft before you put the ring back on.
BillL

Ah yes the collar, sorry. I usually use a open ended wrench that will just catch the edge of the collar, but not the snap ring, then hit the wrench with a hammer. It's just slipped over the snap ring and should come off.

Steve

Yea, I tried knock it it off that way. It appears that the little snap ring has opened up bit over the years. Does not fit tight in the groove. It is larger in diameter now and won't allow that collar to slip over it. When i try to knock it off, it just pulls the retainer with it and binds up. Looks like I will have to just get brutal with it, break it off and get a replacement collar/ring for it. I see Napa Online shows the snapring and stopwasher, but not the collar. It shows the ring with then end washer. Click link below.....
Starter driveshaft retainer kit (http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=ECH&PartNumber=SD164&Description=Starter+Driveshaft+Retainer+Package)

....Hey Jeff, thanks for the link to the starter repair guys in my area. If I screw it up bad enough, I'll end up taking the rotor shaft to someone in my area and have them pop the ring off for me.:D

Just got one for my kids truck $12 at local auto truck electric shop.

Well, I tried some more, got it off, but broke that little collar in the process. Can't seem to find one of those online or anywhere, but then again, only 2 Napa's were open here today. I'll probably have to go to some starter places tomorrow. I am looking for the piece on the right, (the one with the crack in it).

Jim:

Go to a local repair shop or parts store that you are friendly with and ask to get the broken piece from an exchange/used starter. When I used to work at a local Mom-Pop store we replaced the starter drives quite frequently. Haven't done one in years but if I remember correctly, a 7/16th open end wrench will slide onto the collar and grab it. Then take a small hammer and tap on the wrench near the collar. The key is to apply even pressure across the collar and it will pop right off-downward. On the issue of the ring that is under the collar, take a pair of pliers and squeeze it to slightly tighten. The oversize of the ring is to help keep/lock the collar in place and prevent it from sliding up and down with each engagement of the starter. To put the collar back on the ring, just take the pliers and pull the collar back over the ring after you have replaced the starter drive. HTH

Well, I contacted the auto electric/starter rebuilders in my area. None of these jamokes would sell me the parts I need. They have them, but don't sell to the public, only if I bring in my starter and have them do the work.:sad:
I did manage to find the GM part number for the retainer ring and the collar though. Went to the GM parts warehouse near me and the guy pulled out a book that was about 15" thick. Collar and ring are #1927848 and #1927849. He can get them, but only in packs of 10 each! That would be about $40. I can get a reman'd Delco starter for $60.

Don't mess around Jim, get a mini starter from www.dbelectrical.com go to his ebay store. good stuff, good people.

I have used ones, I can send one if you want.

Same here as Dean. I have an old starter that I can break down if you need the parts. I can do it this afternoon after work if you let me know. PM or respond back here today and I'll get the parts you need. NO NEED to pay $40 for 25 cents worth of parts.

DFER,
Thanks for the kind offer. Dean has already taken care of it for me. He is sending me the stuff I need.:thumbsup:

Dean Rocks!

Just a thought, have you shopped around some good old fashioned hardward stores? You would be surprised at what they carry.

This is the exact reason I have little boxes and trays full of misc. parts, you never know when someone will need something that you have or for that matter when you'll need it. Ever try getting a two port vacuum T to go into an intake manifold and need it like now, lol, parts store guys hand you books and say if it's in here, we can have it in 4-5 days. Come to my garage, I keep well stocked on these types of things that always creep up when working on your car.

[QUOTE=elcamino72]This is the exact reason I have little boxes and trays full of misc. parts, you never know when someone will need something that you have or for that matter when you'll need it. /QUOTE]

Me too, just can't remember which boxe or tray its in. I always find the part I needed last week when looking for this weeks stuff....