Thanks Nate, I probably already have the right size bearings, actually sleeve bushings if I remember right from the Mercedes manual,, I have a large selection of them for general use.
I always use high temp grease, Navy surplus originally for greasing anti aircraft gun slides, an barrel bushings, plus crocus cloth instead of sandpaper, seems to work better for the polishing the armatures.
On the older GM starter solenoids, 1940s thru 90s, I used too take the solenoid apart an turn the contacts around 180 degrees for whole new contact surfaces. For many years they sold kits for the solenoids, new plastic cap an contacts, sold wholesale for about $1.50, but not available anymore, as far as I know..
I doubt that can be done on the Mercedes starters, but maybe some other models parts, IE contacts,, can be substituted, but would bench test it to make sure it works well.
Don't have a small lathe anymore to turn the commentators, but will buy one if I can find a cheap one, maybe Harbor Freight on sale, thats about all I need now days. I still drive the 80s GM trucks an suburban's as they are so cheap an easy to work on, but fuel prices now days limits their use. Parts interchange real well too.
Who has the starter brushes, an also need some brushes for the HVAC blower motor, that part seems to be so expensive, well worth the while to overhaul or rebuilt it, if possible,, here in Texas the AC is almost a necessity, an heater comes in handy too.
Have not even looked at the windshield wiper motors for parts or a new one, maybe expensive too.
I am moving shortly about 15 miles further inland, too be a bit safer from the hurricanes an lower taxes, thus loosing my large shop, going to about a 2/3 smaller shop for just me an my Mercedes an older GM trucks, plan to set up for maintaining just those two types of vehicles with a decent supply of ready to use,, parts, including ones that I have overhauled, such as these electric motors.
Got to save money on parts, so I can afford the fuel at 4 or 5 dollars a gallon. I am studying a possible conversion of a 80s Chevy AstroVan to all electric, using fork lift electric motor an controls,, solar panels on the large roof, an a small Honda gen set for extended range use.
Just for local use, around town,,nothing over 50 miles a day, or so. The Honda gen set would be mounted where the radiator normally goes, an the fork life electric motor mounted, where the automatic transmission is normally mounted, use a electric vacuum motor for the power brakes. On demand system.
This would cut down on my wear an tear on my beloved Mercedes too. A 6 amp charger too maintain the multi batteries would add minimal amount to my house electric bill. Solar panels would be my greatest expense.
Thanks for all the info,,
Doug in SE Texas, $3.89 for Diesel today.
