96 suzuki sidekick starter question?

[stevew]

I recently had a issue of no crank. I tracked it down to the starter. After installing the new starter i turned it over and it started. Yeah! However, it sounded like a machine gun going off. I instantly turned it off. Looking at the old starter I found that the flywheel wore a groove in the housing. I bought this vehicle used and it looks like the previous owner just let it grind until it quit making noise?

My question: The starter I have to replace the old was sized for my suzuki by the parts store. I had no shims to put on the starter but wonder if ther is supposed to be? The old and new starters are identical. I created a make shift spacer, and so far it runs great and there isn't that frightening racket.

Thanks for the responses!

[jtgh]

OUCH !

there is a metal plate between engine and bell house on mine.


you did say what car you have.
1.6L manual has this plate.

see it. sitting on top of bell housing.
below photo

these kicks are precision made.
perfect machined surfaces, not some old detroit iron.
it fits so close a hair cant get in.

you have something very wrong.

what are you driving.?

cheers.!

[stevew]

I have a 96' Sport. It is a 4x4 automatic and has a 1.8L.