[wdhigh]

Got a 87 w/ 4.2. Paper work from previous owner showed new flywheel installed when the pugeot was swapped by local tranny shop. Replaced the rear main few weeks ago and after putting the starter back on it has not been right since.

First it just got plain LOUD! Then it started free spinning like the bendix was not jumping. Changed starter and noticed the flywheel eaten up and metal dust every where around the starter. One mech suggested a shim and that just ended up breaking the bolts completely and trashed new starter.

Auto parts store was cool and replaced the starter and it is back to making a grinding noise and has now chewed bad spots into the flywheel.

Please help! Anyone delt with this before, it is beyond me and getting old quick.
Another local shop suggested taking the flywheel off and having it "worked" and he feels that will cure this. Is he right or what?

[Matt87YJ]

Mine has done the same thing, I put a new ring gear on the flywheel and put a new starter on because of the same thing that happened to you. Yes that will cure it, new flywheel ring gear and new starter and you're back in business.

[Tshark299]

the starter that was in my Jeep since I got it (about 5 years old) went last year. since then I've put 5 starters in it. 2 of them only lasted a month. the teeth on my flywheel are definitely worn down on the side closest to the starter. The first 3 were from Advance, the last 2 from Autozone. this last one from Autozone has actually lasted 10 months now without signs of failing soon, so I'm thinking half the problem is that these 30 buck rebuilt starters are junk and I happend to get lucky on this last one.

But ALL of them, including the original that lasted for years, have been LOUD. Unsuspecting bystanders within a 10 foot radius get scared when I turn the key. I'm thinking above all it's just the nature of the cheap Ford starters used on early 6-cyl YJs.

[major gruntski]

I'd say it's more than likely your fly wheel.



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