So it's time for a new starter???

[71 GMCDRVR]

All of a sudden today on my way to work I heard this horrible clank coming from my flex plate. After further investigation the gear on the starter was making contact with the flex plate as the motor was running. My question is..isn't the gear supposed to retract back after the motor starts???...if so that would mean this starter is bad??? Is it time for a new one???

Thanks Guys in advance for the info......

[hopped up]

that happened to me recently too like 2 weeks ago. starter was super hot!! the exhaust pipes were cooled off before the starter was. dont know why it happened, i had a spare starter so changed it out.it checked out good at autozone
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[68gmsee]

Make sure the flywheel/flex plate isn't damaged, loose or broken. More than like the starter drive is gone and should replace it like hopped up mentioned. Anymore it's not worth trying to figure out what the problem is unless you have a lot of time to mess with them or you want to keep the original stock starter.

[hopped up]

yeah check the flywheel. mine has a few teeth that got slight damage. just put in a new flywheel about 2months ago
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[71 GMCDRVR]

Fly wheel looks good no missing teeth(that I can see) Thanks for the info guys, strange this starter is'nt even a year old, I havn't had any heat soak issues with it. I was fiddln with it last night and when I turned the starter over the plunger just flops around, so the return spring (i guess) is not doing its job...time for a new one!!