Starter DIY Rebuild...or Buy new?

[Gixxer]

The starter, a Mitsubishi M8T50071, on my 95 7.3 F350 sometimes just has a loud click when I turn the key and it doesn't do anything else. It seems to be getting worse and this afternoon when I tried to start it, it took about 20 times before it engaged. I'm thinking about buying a rebuild kit for it. Has anyone here ever rebuilt one? Any advise?

[pipelayerjdh]

I have never done a rebuild, but it sounds like the solenoid may be weak. I used to rebuild AC, DC, and servo motors, so I'm not sure why I haven't tried rebuilding my own starter. It should not bee too difficult if the kit has everything you need. I guess you would have to use an ohmmeter to test the armature and windings. So, I guess it all depends on the quality and price of the rebuild kit or parts.

[bigcountrysg]

I don't rebuild starters. I just buy a new one with life time warranty. If you rebuild it and it goes bad then you will either have to rebuild it again out of your pocket or buy a new starter. Where if you buy a new starter with lifetime warranty you never have to buy another starter again.

I would make sure it is not a solenoid problem like Pipelayer is saying. I believe that on the 95's the soleniod is not attached to the starter. The solenoid should be on the passenger side fender by the battery.

[Gixxer]

Thanks for the replies.

After dinner tonight I decided to jump the fender mounted solenoid. With the truck in neutral, I took a doubled piece of #10 Romex and jumped it. I could hear a distinct thud from the area of the starter, but no cranking occurred. I think what I’m hearing is the pinion gear engaging the ring gear. However I don’t know if I’m actually getting any power to the starter motor itself…could be a problem with the starter mounted solenoid, but I’m thinking that is most likely the brushes. It will be Friday before I get a chance to drop the starter and check it out.

[bigcountrysg]

The other problem is finding a part store that has a rebuild kit in stock. Back in the day this would be easy to do. But now adays they just have a factory do all the rebuilding. It maybe easier to find a starter in stock then the rebuild kit.

[95stroke]

I got a NAPA with lifetime warranty

[BTpsd]

Originally Posted by 95stroke

I got a NAPA with lifetime warranty

To me, it just makes sense to go lifetime. But that's MHO.

[DZL JIM]

I got a rebuild kit off eBay. I always wanted to do one just becasue, and it was like $50, couldn't pass it up. Pretty neat experience. Then the starter mounted solenoid went bad. Dam thing cost as much as the rebuild kit, I would have been better off just buying a new starter off eBay for $120. I know a ton of guys that have and they work great.
Lifetime warranty is good piece of mind, what's the charge for that type of starter?
If it's a lot more, than not worth it IMO as my experience the 'lifetime' stuff dies rather quickly anyway leading to more R&R work... Maybe it's just me.

Oh, and Fords actually have 2 starter relays.
One on the starter and one on the passenger fender.
Just more stuff to go bad...

[Tony1784]

Make sure your batteries, cables, and grounds are all good and clean. I had starting issues with mine and it ended up just being a bad battery and it ended up just being a bad battery.

[Farmboy444]

Go to Ford or International and buy one! A new one, i went through 5 reman with life time warrantys from different parts stores. 5 starters in about 6 months, it got old quick, they would leave me stranded, stay engaged and are not the most pleasent to change out in a parking lot in the cold and rain. Save yourself some head aches and spend the extra money and buy a new one