brushes

[dumbo]

hi all topic been on here before stater motor brushes 4 off them where from??? cheers simon

[Theclash]

I too would be interested to know , my starter as also developed a fault

[CovKid]

Petrol? Bosch?

Two things. Brushes are under a tenner BUT although two can be soldered/fitted on relatively easily, the other two are soldered to part of the body of the starter and you'll need more than an ordinary soldering iron to do so.

Can't find my original purchase now but 99% sure these are the ones (at least measurement wise and where the flyleads are located):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STARTER-MOTOR ... 35c0476ae5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As I say, two are easy but the other two require more than what most would have in their toolkit due to the heat required. Don't think they will be a breeze to fit - they're not. Starters with brush boxes (ie an assembled unit) are much easier to do. Just forewarning you. Its also VERY dirty work to say the least - if you can get the starter apart. Also. if you're going to do the brushes its generally wise to replace solenoid (£18-£30). Finally, ideally bearings should be replaced on an overhaul too. Its cheaper DIY but perhaps not with the time involved. Feel free to have a go but its not a straightforward job. Very easy to ruin brush flyleads with too much solder and its not unusual to discover that even with an impact driver, you can't shift the screws on the solenoid. 'Often they will chew up making the whole job a complete pain.

[Theclash]

Thanks for reply covkid
I refurbed the starter on my mk2 golf and like you say it's a lot easier when the brushes are pre assembled
I only have a basic soldering iron so I think I will take my starter to the local auto electrician and get a price for the job

[dumbo]

cheers ralph thanks again

[Theclash]

I'm called ralph aswell ha ha ha ......god I got so much stick over my name when I was at school , boy named sue springs to mind

[CovKid]

Heard them all including "His name is Raaaaaalph" (Cheech & Chong). Don't care now. Its a rare name anyway. I did change it up until my 40s then reverted back on the basis that I knew it was 'official' if they called me Ralph. Don't mind Covkid - lots just call me that now.

Back to the starter, its definately possible to do it but the two affixed to body present a challenge. I managed to do mine but spent an age cleaning areas on body back to bright steel and you need plenty flux and patience. A really big soldering iron (or small blowtorch ideally) will do it but its very important to keep track of how much solder you're using and keep the bushes held above the flyleads as that reduces the wick effect. If you get too much solder on those, they won't flex after that and you're sunk. Just bear all that in mind. You also need to give those flyleads a tug once cool to make sure they really are holding.

In the vast majority of cases it IS the brushes that have worn short. Its just unfortunate that we ended up with that design. Second to go tends to be the solenoid, third is the thick earth braid, then bearing failure. For sure a lot of starters that get exchanged just have worn brushes - frustratingly, although when they get refurbed by the bigger places, they usually do the lot. Local places will sometimes just clean it, fit new brushes, give it a quick spray of black paint and charge you whatever.

Worth a go though - helps you understand how the thing works. I enjoy the challenge to be honest.

This will help you a bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nMLhl2q4s8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - name that accent. Nearest I've come up with is icelandic/irish Note the size of the iron needed!

[boatbuilder]

He's in Ireland alright but an eastern European immigrant!
Sells solenoids and brush boxes etc on ebay.