Technical 500L starter bushing

[tmrsgv]

Hi all,


disassembled the starter of my fiat 500L today after my car wasn't cranking so well and wouldn't start (have another post on that, maybe still earth problems...).


The first thing I noticed was that the front slip bearing (facing the engine) was completely oval and had some kind of trauma with a previous owner...


Couple of questions:
1. How do I know the nominal diameters of the original slip bearing and tolerances? I'll either buy one or make one on the lathe...

2. is this and indicator pointing to a more severe problem somewhere else?



Also, I've started filming all my work (mainly to keep track of the bolts and nuts i'm taking off), will upload to YouTube soon.



Thanks!

 

[fiat500]

Surely you going to be in measure- mode anyway if you're planning to turn one on a lathe? But there's an inexpensive kit available with bushes and brushes and springs from most online suppliers. Same happened to my professionally rebuilt starter

 

[Toshi 975]

I just bought a couple of kits and measured a bush with my callipers. Looks like 11mm i/d & 13.5 o/d. The axel Gerstal kit also includes the bush for the bendix along with the brushes but the springs are sold separately. That may already be a non standard bush in there though. You need to press it out to check the o/d.

 

[tmrsgv]

Great, thank you for the dims.


It will take me some time to order bushings so I'll probably make my own, although I did order from Motobambino new brushes so I will swap those.


Do you know which material are the bushings?

 

[Paolo66]

Press the old bush out and measure the hole. This is the OD. Measure the shaft on the starter, this is your ID. If you can get them I would go for an oilite bush. These are porous bronze bushes that soak up oil. Leave the bush to soak in oil for 24 hours and you have a self lubricating bush. The oil stays impregnated in the bush for ages

 

[Toshi 975]

The bushes are what I would call "oilite" type which if I remember correctly are sintered self lubricating bronze. Sure you will be OK if you get a suitable bit of phosfor bronze.

 

[fiat500]

These are porous bronze bushes that soak up oil.

...quite a handy feature on the Fiat 500 engine.

https://webshop.fiat500126.com/elec...pair-kit-_2-bushings-and-1-set-of-carbon-pins

 

[tmrsgv]

Got the bushing replaced. Went to a starter workshop and found a stock bushing that was a very good fit.

Will put everything together and back in the car. Fingers crossed the car will fire up...

 

[tmrsgv]

Installed the starter yesterday and....it works! The car starts easily.
Turns out the worn bushing was the problem (or the main one) and it made cranking very hard on the starter motor.

Thanks for all the help! [emoji3]