Having a hell of a time buttoning up a starter replacement on my '99 EVO (FXSTC) about every 12-15'th bump on the starter button and the Bendix won't return to the resting position, it stays out and grenaded my last Bendix and took some chunks out of the flywheel. I replaced both the flywheel and the Bendix but I am still having the problem with the Bendix not returning every time, I can't put my primary on untill I am 100% confident. Any ideas what would cause that? I cleaned everything up real good when it was apart and I excessively oiled everything as it went back together. It has a brand new deep cycle battery if that matters. Any help is appreciated

 

You see the length of that shaft,which rides in a bushing in the cover? That's what keeps it aligned.That's what keeps it from destroying itself. Never actuate the starter with the primary cover off.