Bosch starter pinion

[davidwheeler]

Being somewhat disturbed by the price and apparent fragility of Consortium Bronze pinions (as OEM) I am considering getting some made in steel.    All other starter pinions that I have come across are steel and I wonder if there is any reason why Bosch used bronze for this starter and any reason why one should not use steel?

[Richard Fridd]

Is it to save wearing the flywheel ring gear?

[Kari]

Same problem with the Augusta. There, the teeth are cut directly into the flywheel material, there is no separate ring gear. Using a steel dog will only accelerate the wear on the flywheel.

I don't know if the Lambda has the same system, but if so, I think the only permanent solution would be the installation of a hardened ring gear and using a steel dog. I did so on my Augusta.

For starter motors with the Bendix drive, it's important to have a good, fully charged battery for starting. It helps to prevent the dog bouncing off the teeth on the flywheel, which is the main cause of damage to dog and flywheel.

Regards  Karl

[JohnMillham]

Is it to save wearing the flywheel ring gear?

Yes, that's the idea. I believe that the Lambda's system engages the pinion more gently than the Augusta's, which is thrown in at full power. I would rather wear out the pinion than the starter ring as it's easier and cheaper to replace.

[davidwheeler]

I actually did replace my starter ring, sourcing one - the last one, alas -  from the USA.    Some sort of tractor I think it was.   The Lambda pinion is first protracted by an auxiliary coil, rotating very gently and then full power is applied.    Unfortunately, the full power coils tend to retract the pinion again!