Starter Motor Drive Gear and Flywheel Ring Gear Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Check the wear patterns.
1. On the starter drive.
2. On the flywheel ring gear.
3. If the wear pattern is normal, install the starter motor.

Fig 1: Checking Starter Drive & 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 starter motor and flywheel.

Fig 2: Damaged Starter Drive & Flywheel Ring Gear

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.