Starter spring

western77

western77

Senior Member
I broke a starter spring and would like to know the right way to install a new one. I have the drive on the starter shaft and one side of the new spring bolted to it. I put the key on the shaft and slid the small piece on the shaft and onto the key. Now I need to rotate the small piece to attach the other end of the spring but which way do I go? Do I wind the spring tighter or go the other way ? Thanks JB
 
That is what I thought too, but it has been 35 years since I have replaced one. This one had a broken spring and the two holes are definetley are 90 degrees from lining up. The broken spring was a model a spring with the two eyes in line. I don't get it ?????? JB
 
The drive head is keyed to the armature and the starter pinion isn't, so it can rotate to line up the 2 bolts, one on each end of the spring.

If you look at the spring for the Model A, it will have a spiral like that of a LEFT HAND screw, not to be confused with other springs with a right hand spiral.
 
We are currently working on an article, for the Model A Times, about the spring clips Ford added to the starter Bendix. The bolts line up so the spring that does not allow this is unwound. A-11383 spring clip adds additional support to the bolt and helps keep the spring aligned. Not sure when this clip was introduced but it you can find it in the parts price list December 1932. They are available through the parts dealers now because they are being remade.
 

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John LaVoy said:
We are currently working on an article, for the Model A Times, about the spring clips Ford added to the starter Bendix. The bolts line up so the spring that does not allow this is unwound. A-11383 spring clip adds additional support to the bolt and helps keep the spring aligned. Not sure when this clip was introduced but it you can find it in the parts price list December 1932. They are available through the parts dealers now because they are being remade.
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John, In the picture you just posted, the spring clips should be on the inside of the spring, rather as on top as in the picture. You also need the common lock washers under the bolt heads.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
John, In the picture you just posted, the spring clips should be on the inside of the spring, rather as on top as in the picture. You also need the common lock washers under the bolt heads.
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Tom,
Makes sense to me, I'm looking at the Ford Service Bulletin, and it appears they were installed on top of the spring as I did it. Do you have something that shows it differently?
 
John LaVoy said:
Tom,
Makes sense to me, I'm looking at the Ford Service Bulletin, and it appears they were installed on top of the spring as I did it. Do you have something that shows it differently?
Click to expand...

John, Page 571 in the SERVICE BULLETINS, plus a couple of original drives I worked on a few years ago.
 
I recently installed these clips and I'm sure Tom is right. I can't quite make out what is happening on the right side of the picture but the lower bolt (close to the pinion gear) has to be wrong.

The clips 'clip' onto the shaft and head with the clip holes and shaft bolt holes aligned. The spring slides over the clips and you can then see that the built up thickness of the clip reduces the twist of the spring when it is 'torqued'. I'm hoping that this will reduce the likelihood of the securing bolts loosening or stripping their threads.

(5/16 " bolts with 5/16 spring and 3/8" bolts, 30 - 31, with 3/8" spring).
 
John LaVoy said:
Tom,

So this is the way they are installed?

John
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Yes, I like to push the clip in as I tighten the bolts, otherwise the clip barely fits under the first coil.

Later springs had the coil on each end turned to a bit smaller diameter, so the clips weren't used on them.
 
I found my original clip and see the wear indicating how it fits. It is even marked Bendix. Thanks for pointing that out, the service bulletin picture is a little deceiving.
 
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