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Question: What and where is a Bendix on the starter? Does it require special tools?

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Tracilea, 3.0L V6, Oak Grove, KY, December 17, 2012, 05:53
 Rookie

My car started making a grinding noise sometimes when I tried to crank it, and would take several times to crank. It became worse and worse until it just wouldn't crank at all one day.A man at the gas station heard it once and said I needed a bendix. Is it too late now? Or will that fix problem? AND how hard is it to fix, and do I need special tools? Sorry I sound like an idiot, I know I should of done something sooner, money too tight, now I'm hoping it will be a quick fix!

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  • Answer #1

    goodguy December 17, 2012, 06:28
     Master

    you will have to take the starter apart when you take the starter off check the teeth on the flywheel if you have teeth missing then you will have to take the trans out I would suggest you take it to a shop and have them look at it

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  • Answer #2

    pushrod December 17, 2012, 06:30
     Master

    If you are lucky the starter drive (bendix) may be all that is damaged and not the flywheel.
    Buy another complete starter motor and just swap it out and if you have a car buddy get some help!
    BEFORE you do any repair to the starter, remove the NEGATIVE battery cable!!

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  • Answer #3

    Greg's Orange Auto (8467 Answers) , Orange, CA - (714) 361-9355
    globalhelper December 17, 2012, 06:31
     Master

    remove starter and ck flywheel or flex plate to make sure the teeth are ok if so replace starter

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    Tracilea, December 17, 2012, 09:54
     Rookie

    Thanks to all of you for the advice, you all three said buy new starter, do you mean bendix or actually a starter, or are they the same thing??? I have someone coming to look at it today, who will know more than me but has never repaired a Mazda!

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    goodguy, December 17, 2012, 14:28
     Master

    the bendix or starter drive is a drive inside the starter it engages the starter with the flywheel its just as easy to replace the whole starter

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