I replaced the drive clutch on my 98 Fatboy starter about a month or so ago. Its been great until Friday. I accidently bumped the starter and I heard a clunk, now it grinds really bad when I goto start it? Before I tear into it, what could this be?

 

you may have damaged the drive again or you damaged the gear reduction part of the starter either way it has to come apart to find out.

 

Sounds like what happened to my starter... for me, the starter clutch was toast, and the pinion and ring gears were chewed up as a result of not fully engaging. I had the grinding noise too, then the starter clutch gave out altogether. In the end, I had to have the starter clutch, pinion and clutch basket (with the ring gear on it) replaced. Hopefully, it's not that involved for you.

Cheers!
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