Starter Motor Drive Gear and Flywheel Ring Gear Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Ford Pickup, 2006 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2006 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2006 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the starter motor. For additional information, refer to STARTER MOTOR .
Check the wear patterns on the starter drive and the flywheel ring gear. If the wear pattern is normal, install the starter motor. For additional information, refer to STARTER MOTOR .

Fig 1: Locating Wear Pattern Of Starter Drive And Flywheel Ring Gear
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If the starter drive gear and the flywheel ring gear are not fully meshing or the gears are milled or damaged, install a new flexplate and a new starter motor. For additional information, refer to ENGINE - 5.4L (3V) or ENGINE - 6.8L (3V) and STARTER MOTOR .

Fig 2: Locating Wear Pattern Of Starter Drive And Flywheel Ring Gear
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.