Bendix Gear/ Starter Problems 1984 Work Horse GT-1600 Tein Briggs

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

No, and I couldn’t even feel the crack with my fingers. The only way I knew it was there was when I sprayed electronic cleaner on it the crack stayed wet a little longer and showed the crack.

I have already put the starter back together after sanding the commutator and undercutting the mica.

I tested the starter and it spins nice with no noise.

All I need is the bendix gear parts which are on order.

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

I also went ahead and pulled the flywheel as I can see getting the starter back on with it in place would be difficult in not impossible.

I will clean the stator and back of flywheel before I reassemble.

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

I did not mention above I checked the brushes and they were not worn down beyond the max limits which I read is 1/4 inch of length from the center of the wires connected to them to the surface that contacts the commutator.

[Handy Don 13,980]

On 5/6/2025 at 7:32 PM, Horse Newbie said:

Any solvent like carb or brake cleaner ?

 

A bit late to the party, but ONLY electronic-safe solvents should be used. 

Anything that can potentially dissolve or soften the varnish that insulates the windings can ruin it in a heartbeat.

Compressed air and soft brushes only. 

Edited May 8 by Handy Don

[Bill D 2,246]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

A bit late to the party, but ONLY electronic-safe solvents should be used. 

Anything that can potentially dissolve or soften the varnish that insulates the windings can ruin it in a heartbeat.

Compressed air and soft brushes only. 

CRC makes a product called electric motor cleaner specifically for applications like this. 

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

2 hours ago, Bill D said:

CRC makes a product called electric motor cleaner specifically for applications like this. 

I hope what is shown above is safe… Says it’s for sensitive electronic components.

[WHX?? 51,702]

18 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

I did not mention above I checked the brushes and they were not worn down beyond the max limits which I read is 1/4 inch of length from the center of the wires connected to them to the surface that contacts the commutator.

Sounds like you did the required reading Neubs... I wouldn't have replaced the brushes either after see the crack. Probably not a big deal but no sense in sticking brushes into it if that piece lets loose. 

Good idea to pop the flywheel and clean & check things out behind there. 

[ebinmaine 72,426]

On 5/8/2025 at 2:41 PM, Horse Newbie said:

I hope what is shown above is safe… Says it’s for sensitive electronic components.

 

You should be fine with that.  

 

 

@Bill D is this the one you're thinking of?

 

[Bill D 2,246]

On 5/11/2025 at 6:27 AM, ebinmaine said:

 

You should be fine with that.  

 

 

@Bill D is this the one you're thinking of?

 

Yes, that's the stuff.  Sorry,  I just saw this.

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

So I got my bendix gear on the starter and got the starter back on the engine. Time to reinstall the flywheel.

Any harm in putting a small amount of of antisieze on the crank for future ease of flywheel removal ?

[Handy Don 13,980]

2 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

Any harm in putting a small amount of of antisieze on the crank for future ease of flywheel removal

[Achto 29,374]

3 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

Any harm in putting a small amount of of antisieze on the crank for future ease of flywheel removal ?

 

Not recommended by Briggs. Manual says to install it dry, warning that lube can have adverse effects.

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

I wonder what adverse effects it could have ?

With a tapered shaft, key way, and the nut tightened with an impact wrench ?

Edited May 31 by Horse Newbie

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

Does the Briggs manual mention a torque value for the flywheel nut ?

I watched a video where a small engine guy explains why it is not a good idea.

[Achto 29,374]

3 minutes ago, Horse Newbie said:

With a tapered shaft, key way, and the nut tightened with an impact wrench ?

 

The minute film causes improper seating of the fly wheel to the crank shaft, which will cause the butter key to shear eventually. I call the Briggs flywheel key a butter key because it is such a soft material. The soft key is designed to protect things. I strongly discourage using an impact on the flywheel nut, too tight can cause the fly wheel to fracture. You do not want a fly wheel disintegrating next to your leg at 3600RPMs. Use a torque wrench.

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

Glad I got on here and asked. I will put the flywheel back on tomorrow.

[Achto 29,374]

Can't seem to find the correct manual. Spec / model number might help. I would think that 60 to 75ft.lbs. on the flywheel nut would be good.

[WHX?? 51,702]

Yes absolutely no impact on removing or installing nut. Too much likelihood of snapping off the crank threads.

 I like to torque to 70% of spec then final. 

[ebinmaine 72,426]

On 5/6/2025 at 6:22 PM, Horse Newbie said:

How do I remove this clip on the end of the shaft at bendix gear ?

 

 

So how did you get that done?

 

 

 

 

As you can see we need to change the gear here.   

 

[Achto 29,374]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

So how did you get that done?

 

Drive the roll pin out and the top will come right off.

[Horse Newbie 7,395]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

So how did you get that done?

 

 

 

 

As you can see we need to change the gear here.   

 

I used a small screwdriver. But I was replacing all the parts on that end. Don’t know if the parts are hard to find but a local lawn mower shop had Briggs OEM  parts.

Looks like maybe squeeze it with pliers and wiggle it out ?

Edited June 2 by Horse Newbie

[Achto 29,374]

I believe there is no need to remove the clip on the end of the starter. Just remove the roll pin and the whole assembly should come off the end.

 

Hold the black plastic cage towards the end so that it is out of the way to avoid damage to it. Clamp a 5/16" or 3/8' deep well socket in a vise and use it for a backer when you drive the roll pin out. After the spring assembly is off the gear will remove easily.

 

[ebinmaine 72,426]

31 minutes ago, Achto said:

I believe there is no need to remove the clip on the end of the starter. Just remove the roll pin and the whole assembly should come off the end.

 

Hold the black plastic cage towards the end so that it is out of the way to avoid damage to it. Clamp a 5/16" or 3/8' deep well socket in a vise and use it for a backer when you drive the roll pin out. After the spring assembly is off the gear will remove easily.

 

 

I'm hoping to remove the gear while the starter is still on the engine.  

[Achto 29,374]

13 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I'm hoping to remove the gear while the starter is still on the engine.  

 

Prolly not gonna happen. 

[ebinmaine 72,426]

7 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Prolly not gonna happen. 

 

 

No worries.  

 

Looks like the flywheels gotta come off...