2007 Mazda 3 starter dragging

2007 MAZDA 3
153,000 MILES • 2.3L • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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SWINDLEROSO
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Replaced broken tranny with salvaged one. Everything went back together fine. The starter is starting the car fine, but not wanting to disengage. Its about an eighth of an inch off of coming free of the drive train. Any ideas?
Jul 4, 2015 at 3:04 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It sounds like you need to shim the starter. Basically, moving it further away from the flywheel by adding steel shims where it bolts on to the trans.
Jul 4, 2015 at 9:40 PM
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SWINDLEROSO
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thanks for your response. we didnt think we could shim the tranny because of the way it engages the flywheel. we figured something out though. problem solved. now it will start but will not go into gear. i did get the tranny from a salvage and trying not to fear the worst that its a bad one. the shift lever has been adjusted properly. out of ideas. maybe you have one.
Jul 5, 2015 at 11:46 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
No, you don't shim the trans, you shim between the starter and where it mounts.

What s happening when you place it in gear? Are all connections clean and tight? Is the fluid clean and full?
Jul 5, 2015 at 6:29 PM
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