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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Starter motor repair

With the transmission out of the car and the gearbox pulled from the engine I noticed the main spring on my starter motor is broken. It looks like it’s been broken for a while. The motor looks ok otherwise and worked fine when I was using the car.

It seems you can get spares to repair starter motors, has anyone overhauled a starter motor ? How easy is it, and what are the things to look for and replace?

Or is it better to just buy a new one?


C MADGE

The label on the motor....


C MADGE

It is very easy to clean/repair/overhaul. Brushes bearings springs are cheap on E Bay. An overhauled starter motor by yourself is very often better than a "new" one.

Flip
Flip Brühl

Ideally you need a compressor for the Bendix spring. They do come up on eBay from time to time.

Alternatively, you could attempt the ‘John Twist’ method, using two pairs of mole grips. Personally, I wouldn’t.


Dave O'Neill 2

Chris,
you may enjoy repairing the starter, you might want a full crash helmet, body armour and lots of open space for the JT method.

If I've got it right from the label it is from week 33 of 1985.

If you want to spend a lot more money the uprated hi-torque starters are much nicer, certainly on the ears and nerves. Supposedly use less power and turn stronger, useful if you have high-compression engine, or get poor battery or starting - but they're not really needed, just nice if you can afford it.

Nigel Atkins

The label also shows that it is a B90 exchange unit - Lucas’s own reconditioning program.
Dave O'Neill 2

It's an easy job if you have the tool Dave refers to. First job I did as part of my restoration. I also changed the bushes and cleaned up the commutator and brushes.
Bill Bretherton

Dave,
you have better eyes than me (not difficult though) I almost had my nose on the monitor to see the B90 exchange, that's without your greater knowledge - I hope Cedric sees this thread. :)

I must find the JT vid for H&S.

Nigel Atkins

H&S vid -"Hi, I'm John Twist, put your safety helmets and goggles on".
218 MG M35G Starter MGTD MGTD mgtf MGA MG midget 1950-1979
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6CR_8efA88

246 MG T type / MGA / Midget M35G Starter Motor Repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmh2qZgfv1Q

Nigel Atkins

I've changed a Bendix drive before. IIRC I used the vice to compress the spring...
David Smith

Thanks for the replies, I have found bushes, brushes, and the springs online so i’ll Give it a go.

John Twist’s method looks like, errrr, fun :(

Yes I was thinking a vice would be easier than mole grips and possibly safer.

It wouldn’t take much to make a compressor out of some thick plate, nuts and bolts though. Seeing it’s a snow day I might make one....
C MADGE

A home made spring compressor made from a bit of plate and bolts is easy and safe to do. Despite the chunky appearance of the spring it only needs to be compressed by a fraction to release the wire ring clip.
GuyW

I have rebuilt my starter and bushes, brushes are all easily available. You may also think about replacing other bits as well...this retaining ring failed in mine and caused the whole thing to lock up tight as it fouled the armature
Dave


David Cox

Here’s my home made compressor, 1.5mm was all I had, and it’s a bit on the bendy side but has done the job.

Getting that little clip off that holds the washer on the end is proving impossible! Any tips?


C MADGE

You just need a small screwdriver to lever it out.

Hopefully you won't need a new clip.

The box spanner that comes with the proper tool also has a recess in the other end which is used for refitting the clip.
Dave O'Neill 2

From your photo I see that the thick retaining washer is still locking the wire circlip. If that is how it is still stuck then you need to tap it down towards the spring to properly expose the wire ring clip which should then priese out with a flat bladed screwdriver
GuyW

Thanks Guy, that’s the step I was missing. Once the washer is lowered the clip came off easily.
C MADGE

This thread was discussed between 31/01/2019 and 01/02/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.