i ave a 94 z-28. i've cracked 3 starters and i'm clueless to why. i've checked my grounds and my positvie cables. my starter checked out good before i installed it. anyone every had this or seen this happen? it didn't have shims on it and i didn't put any back on. the starter cracked around where te gear comes out.

 

First "Welcome"!!!! This site is the best I've found for info on LT1's. I would suggest a search of this Forum. And if that does not come up with some thing, then ASK as most guys don't like answering the same question over and over.
That being said, I have broke one starter and I think it was from kick back from a bad Opti. and a failed start. I'm not sure but I replaced both at the same time and have never had it happen again. Good luck.

 

Have not heard of one cracking before. Got a picture of it?

 

yeah i did a search and came u with nothing. here's wat i recently did to the car before all this happened. i replaced the oil pan gasket, which meant i had to remove the opti and the crank hub. i didn't replace the opti cus it was pretty new. when i went to start it the first time it started up just fine, then a few tries after that it cracked, i replaced the started and it started fine for a few weeks then cracked again. i got a new starter then wouln't start at all then cracked.

 

Ok what torque rating are you tightening the bolts to? Just for curiosity's sake. Also have you checked the flywheel? Might be a chance that there are teeth missing, and somehow and it is binding and stressing the housing to starter?

I am just throwing suggestions out there.

Where is the starter cracking at when it does crack?

 

 

the flywheel was fine til the last time i started, that was when the one tooth broke.

 

A4 or M6? Either way you need to change the ring gear or flex plate. Generally when starters break like that, it is caused by trying to crank it when its running or a sticky solenoid,or ignition switch. Also make sure the gear is the right one.

 

it's an auto. what symtoms would a bad ignition switch have? i've got the new starter and i'm willing to try any suggestions to get this fixed.

 

You need to find out why the starter is not disengaging. That or double check your ring flexplate like mentioned. It looks like it is binding for sure.

 

Are you sure that's the right starter? The nose looks different then the one I took out and the one replaced it with. My nose was ribbed and thinner.

 

Look at this one on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/100-N...m180252487871&

 

Cracked mine once trying to start it after getting the opti wet.

 

you may need to shim the starter, check your local auto parts store, like NAPA, and they should have some.

 

If the bendix isn't disengaging, that could be the reason... but I'm sure you'd be able to tell if that was the case. Can you turn the engine over by hand (pry on the flywheel, or by the crank pulley?) If not, then it may be bound up, causing too much stress on the bendix. If you broke a tooth on the flywheel, I'd guess that is what's going on. You say you pulled opti and crank hub, that's where I would start.