Starter gearbox grease

[Slipperyeel]

I have a new battery coming . The old one is 3yrs old (std BMW Exide battery). It won't start the bike anymore after standing for just 2-3 days without some assistance.

But to give the whole starting process the best chance, I thought I'd also whip off the starter and give it a little tlc, a la the "starter strip" sticky on this forum.

But in the sticky there are no details about adding new grease to the gearbox/bendix.

I'm sure I'll work it out (mine has no grease plate, so before I fit the new one, it should be easy!), but before I do it, any tips? Is it as simple as pushing some grease in between the gears? And which grease? I'd probably just use a general purpose grease.

Cheers

 

[Hay Ewe]

i asked that question in the sticky as well, didnt hear anything
I used some casatrol waterproof wheel bearing grease becuase I had it to hand.. Only put it in the planet gearbox, though.
Any on the gear that meshes with the flywheel teeth will get flung off pretty quick and then attract dirt and make a worse mess.
Thats my thoughts

thanks for asking the Q

 

[Slipperyeel]

Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps I'll take some photos when i do it.

I'm don't expect anything particularly complicated, but it's nice to have a reference before doing a job. I'm expecting mine to need a good clean-up because 2 years ago i had the dreaded grease plate welded to the armature. Removed it to fix the problem, but never replaced it.

 

[gog]

I was advised to (and did) use a small dab of graphite grease on each of the planetary gears, and locked the grease plate down by melting 3 points around the plastic edge with a soldering iron. I also lifted up the little flywheel and lightly greased (with the same grease) the gear under it after a thorough clean with contact cleaner.

 

[AdrianS]

I stopped the starter and removed the old grease and dirt.
I used moly grease - just a smear.
Another school of thought is to leave it clean and dry. The grease attracts dirt so it gums up quickly!

 

[Slipperyeel]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the camp that thinks some grease should be in there. And i think some moly will probably get the job. But i will get the gear off and degrease it all first.

On another note. Does anyone know where i could buy a new grease plate from, in the UK?

I've looked on line. Brush sets are easy to find, but not other parts. Ideally i wanted to get my hands on something this week.

Cheers

 

[Hay Ewe]

I got my parts from Euromoto elec in the USA (I am in far north Australia and it was easier)

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/

 

[Ian J Hartley]

On another note. Does anyone know where i could buy a new grease plate from, in the UK?

Cheers

Good luck with your search! I couldn't find one years ago when I searched.

When mine fell out, I thought about fabricating a replacement from a baked been tin lid, but in the end refitted my original one even though it was holed and damaged. Keeping the thing in place to prevent it falling out again is a problem. So I melted the case edges over with a soldering iron the same as gordongraham.

You are probably better off continuing as you are, without a plate fitted. At least you know how much grease has been thrown out over the years of use, and removing the starter for a regrease is not an onerous task.

Ian

 

[mspenz]

You can get a cover from these guys;

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Starter-Gear-Cover-All-D6RA-Starters-Valeo-p/d6ra-gearcover.htm

I've just ordered some parts from them but unfortunately the exchange rate is v-poor and their shipping charges are stupid .

I like their replacement magnet housing; http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/d6ra-magccw.htm

Clean the starter drive using brake/clutch cleaner then blow dry and add a couple of squirts of GT85 & then dry any excess with a cloth, it lubes it a little and the PTFE stops dirt sticking. That's what was causing my starter to turn slow...dirt clogging inside the starter drive

 

[mspenz]

I got my parts from Euromoto elec in the USA (I am in far north Australia and it was easier)

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/

 

[Slipperyeel]

Thank Ian. You've saved me a search

Mike. I think you're where my thinking is at. A clean is the least i can do and I'll start with just that (thanks for the GT85 tip - not used it before, but maybe it will replace the moly? My guess is it will get into more nooks and crannies?).

Thinking about it and looking at the diameter, i think i'll make up a replacement grease cover myself, but out of stainless (300 series, so not magnetic). I'll find a way. But i suspect that first i will clean it and get some measurements for the grease plate.

 

[mspenz]

You'll need a little grease in the planetary / geartrack but just use the GT85 on the external drive part (push it back and fore with your thumb and see how sticky & slow it is).
I just ordered a replacement magnet housing cover last week, shame I didn't know as could have included your cover in the order

Mike.

 

[Nick591]

When I stripped my starter recently the grease plate was loose on the shaft but fortunately had not shorted out the armature. I used normal lithium grease on the planetary gears , bent the retaining tabs on the plate out a bit more and pushed it back into place. Also used light oil (3in1) on the sliding gear (was pretty sticky originally) and on the outer bronze bush of the main shaft

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Slipperyeel]

Thanks all for the feedback.

Today I had a chance to get the starter off and sort it out.

It wasn't in such a bad state internally. But the biggest issue was that the sliding clutch mechanism was all gummed up. It moved, but sluggishly.

Degreased with brake cleaner (I cleaned the planetary gears as well, I really got it completely grease free). For the gears I ended up using general purpose grease. For the sliding clutch mech I used expensive bicycle chain lube which has ptfe (I had it already, perfect for the job).

What a difference! The whole set-up now moves so freely I was kicking myself for not having done it sooner.

Fitted it onto the bike (not started it for 4 days - but need it tomorrow!). It started but the battery only just had enough power. Previously it really wouldn't have managed.

So if anyone out there is questioning their battery, get the starter off and give it a clean and re-lube. You'll give the battery no excuses! I think it took me 45min, end to end

Ah. Some other details. The grease plate dimensions, in case somebody wants to make one:

Diameter = 51.25mm tight fit 51mm for a 'drop in' fit.
Recess depth = 4mm

I'll now make one to fit or buy one!