Date:         Sun, 18 Sep 2005 00:38:28 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis <guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis <guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Starter - windings available?

Well, the saddest thing about this story is that orginally, my starter was
working fine...it just seemed to be cranking a little slow for my liking.
My first guess would be that the original rebuilder failed to diagnose the
current draw issue, and evidently lost some of the balls that carry the
final drive.  So what I got back was a starter with an appetite for amps,
and an intermittent binding final drive.  Had my starter quit, I would have
just bought a rebuilt.  However as I was doing an engine conversion, and
replacing drive axles, bearings, drums, bearings etc it seemed logical to
have the 100 000 mile starter serviced too.

The second rebuilder, a local Bosch shop, mysteriously failed to diagnose
what seem to me to be "rookie" issues.  For example, a part that tests fine
on the bench does not always perform the same under load.  For a starter
that is not supported by an external bushing on the transmission housing, it
would seem logical that final drive and bushing tolerances must be pretty
tight, or binding would result.  To have a starter come back four times,

Ultimately I always try and give my business to local folks if I can.  If a
rebuilder comes recommended from a reputable garage, I'm always willing to
give them a chance.  As my own knowledge and experience increases, I'm
increasingly aware though that people who are true "craftsmen" and take true
pride in their work, are the exception rather than the norm.  It's
disappointing, but that's reality.