My 76 FLH has a bad grinding sound when I hit the starter. Upon tear down I found that the starter Bendix is very rough. Not the gear teeth, but the body of it where it would ride against the back side of the ring gear.
My question is - is there supposed to be something that limits the travel of the Bendix, so the it's body doesn't ride against the ring gear, or is it supposed to push all the way out against the ring gear?
FWIW - I have 2 thrust washers in place where the shaft goes into the outer primary cover. It came apart that way, so I've always put it back that way.

 

Far as I know the brass washer [quite thick] is what limits travel..
Rough physically?? but it turns freely one way while not the other??
I guess I would start by inspecting the lever, or Carrier, in the primary, that carries [aims] the bendix... also ensure you have the correct width spacer [brass in primary on bendix shaft] number is Not as Important as Width...

 

so, does the Bendix travel far enough to come into contact with the back side of the ring gear? I know the Bendix gear mates to the ring gear, obviously. Not sure what brass washer would go between the Bendix and ring gear.

 

the "face" of my Bendix, the flat part behind the Bendix gear, is all chewed up. Not sure what the back side of the ring gear looks like. It seems like these two surfaces come into contact with each other when engaged. Not sure why/how the Bendix surface is chewed up.

 

Number 22


Holds the bendix from over-engagement... btw #7 is in the outer primary for reference..

Edit; Fixed image [I hope] damn well gettin hard to link Pictures these days

 

 

I have 2 big brass washers in the #22 position. I know what you said, the thickness is more important than the number. Could it be that I don't have enough thickness there, and the Bendix is traveling out too far?

 

I have an after market, and the bearing is recessed.

 

does that shaft really move in/out, or does the Bendix riding on it only move in/out?

 

The bendix is flung out on the shaft by the Lever [carrier] #13 the shaft remains stationary..

Absolutely... look at the relationship in the Picture.. Now, with Chiwanese Parts... IDK... all bets are off... I don't use 'em... Chrome ones being particularly Poorly Manufactured..