Starter making noise like it was striking the flywheel

ELLISONE

MEMBER
1995 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

The starter one day was making a noise like it was striking the flywheel with a very hard start, this continued and I replaced the starter with quality OEM replacement. Started the car twice after install it started normally with no noise's and then it started making same type noise but not as loud and it started very easily and ran normally. Now the noise does not happen every time I start the car. My question is, should I shim the starter? When I took it down there where no shims in place also what type and where do you get these shims if they do need to be put in? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

If it doesn't do it all the time, shimming won't help. Also, I have never seen shims on these vehicles. I will say that there were two different starters that were used. One was manufactured by Mitsubishi and the other Hitachi, so make sure the replacement is the same design. Since it makes the same noise with both starters, I question if the flywheel itself is damaged. The flywheel is the component the starter engages with to turn the engine. It has teeth on it and they can break, the flywheel can crack, or it can even become loose.

What I suggest is to remove the new starter and check the gear itself to see if there is any evidence of damage to it. Next, while the starter is out, slowly turn the engine from the crankshaft pulley and watch the flywheel for damage to the teeth as well as check to make sure it is tight.

If it is cracked, it may be hard to see. However, do your best to check.

Let me know what you find.

Joe