rebuild or replace starter?

Richard Thoms · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:51 pm Post subject: rebuild or replace starter?

Starter went kaput. I'm considering rebuild kit (~$35) or aftermarket starter (~$100). Probably won't go for the RMax starter (~$220) - I just run club racing and usually TaG.

What is involved in a rebuild? Is it worth the trouble/savings?
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Joey Guyon · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:39 pm Post subject:

Take the starter off. If the Gold housing isn't cracked and the bushing in the end isn't worn, then do a repair kit. If the housing is cracked, you can weld and grind it, but then it becomes a spare.

Ihor Bilyy · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:23 pm Post subject:

I tried rebuild. Its a pain in an axe. Decided to replace starter
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Ted Murphy · Joined: 17 May 2010 Posts: 40 Location: Canada, ontario,

I had to replace my starter as it crapped out during an FWT event last year. When we got back from the FWT I did rebuild the old starter to keep as a spare. As Igor noted, it is a bit of a pain to line up the brushes and get the thing bolted back together - but it's doable. Took 15 minutes or so, once the starter was off the engine.

Tim Doll · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject:

tony zambos · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:22 am Post subject:

Are Rotax starters that much harder to put new brushes in than a Leopard?
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Richard Thoms · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject:

Got the rebuild done. It was tricky but with a little help and strategically placed index cards I was able to get the brushes installed. I did not see Tim's note about RTV until just now (doh!) but I don't think I'll open it back up for that! Next time for sure.
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Josh Buttafoco · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject:

Rotax... leopard rebuilt are both simple and easy...

Don't waste the money buying a new starter when you break a brush. Do it once and you ll kick yourself for buying that new starter.

David Flori · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 33

Where are good places to get the replacement brushes?
Any quality and inexpensive options?

Can we just walk in to a place that carries brushes and get the size that fits these rotax starters, or are there any strange features or compounds that make it worth getting the standard replacement kits?

Seems like a fairly standard brush, with a side/top cast brush wire being the only specialty about it.

If replacement is required,is it better to go with the OEM rotax starter or OK to go aftermarket for the starter in this specific case?

Where are the best places to go to get a replacement starter both aftermarket and OEM?

TIA

Chris Rock · Joined: 15 Aug 2002 Posts: 338

From the Leopard owners manual
Start at page 36

brush replacement

It's actually pretty easy to do once you make the two little U shaped wire pieces

David Flori · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 33

Looked around, any good reasonably priced sources to replace the brushes someone could pass along?

I have looked at my starter, and it really only needs to have the brushes replaced, and it will be good as new if i can find a reasonable source.

If I can find some reasonably priced units I will surely hit them with a little RTV or silicone or rubberization product to damp them and inhibit vibration.

TIA