Bendix Drive Fails Diagnosis

When a Bendix type drive does not engage the cause is usually one of three things: The drive spring is broken, one of the drive spring bolts has sheared off, or the screw's shaft threads will not allow the pinion to travel toward the flywheel. In the first two cases, remove the drive by unscrewing the setscrew under the last coil of the drive spring and replace the broken parts. Gummed or rusty screw shaft threads are the most common causes of Bendix drive failure to disengage or to mesh properly and are easily cleaned with a little kerosene or steel wool. Lubricate the drive with light oil sparingly, and be sure the flywheel housing has adequate ventilation. There is usually a breather hole in the bottom of the flywheel housing which should be open.