Starter Motor Drive Gear and Flywheel Ring Gear Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Montego, 2006 Ford Freestyle, and 2006 Ford Five Hundred. 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 - CVT or STARTER MOTOR - 6 SPEED .
Check the wear patterns on the starter drive gear and the flywheel ring gear. If the wear pattern is normal, install the starter motor. For additional information, refer to STARTER MOTOR - CVT or STARTER MOTOR - 6 SPEED .

Fig 1: Identifying Starter Drive Gear & Flywheel Ring Gear (1 Of 2)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If the starter drive gear and the flywheel ring gear are not fully meshing and both of the gears are scored or damaged, install a new starter motor. For additional information, refer to STARTER MOTOR - CVT or STARTER MOTOR - 6 SPEED .
If necessary, install a new flywheel. For additional information, refer to ENGINE .

Fig 2: Identifying Starter Drive Gear & Flywheel Ring Gear (2 Of 2)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.