Starter issue

[lotusing]

My 86 325es auto starter has begun hitting the flywheel at start-up. The starter is new. What is causing this to happen?

Any ideas?

[strad]

So you're saying that initially, when you first installed it, it worked correctly, and now it is no longer working correctly? I would say you have a defective part.

By the way, an auto does not have a flywheel -- it has a drive plate.

[lotusing]

Yes strad you are correct I stand corrected. It is just odd how it has been fine and now out of no where it starts doing this. I only put a few hundred miles with this new starter since I am waiting to get it fully painted and restored so it sits most of the time.

[T77911S]

how do you know it is hitting the flywheel?

[lotusing]

Just as it starts I hear a load metal to metal clash. The odd thing is it never did it before and now it does it sporadically.

[T77911S]

there is a metal plate of some kind along with bushings that line up the starter. you need to check those.
i have only read about this for the automatics, soemone else needs to pipe in and perhaps elaberate more.