GMC Motorhome Digest V1 #258

[robert shimanek]

Working on the generator one day I noticed the starter was loose.
Inspection revealed that the mounting bracket was cracked. "V'd" out the
crack and welded together the two parts.
I contributed the mount breaking due to the loose starter mounting bolts.
This was noted when I removed the starter for repair This off centers the
starter bendix to the ring gear when starting and eventually causes the
mount to brake. I believe each time you remove the generator out, grab
hold of the starter to check for looseness. After a couple times and you
are satisfied that it is secure just check when servicing the generator.
This would save you some unneed headaches and make your wallet a little
lighter. Locktite on the mounting bolts would help when reinstalling to
eliminate the bolts from loosening due to the vibration.
Just a thought for what it's worth.

Bob

>rakennedy,
>An After-market Onan Starter bracket is available from:
>Ragusa Pattern Shop
>Santa Ana CA
>949-261-5898
>Cost $30
>The Starter Bracket is a highly strengthened Cast Iron Bracket for heavy
>duty use in the GMC Motorhome Onan Generator. Have never heard of one of
>Ragusa's bracket failing. Have seen & heard of many OEM brackets
>failing. Funny, I always start the Onan while pulled out of its
>compartment while working on them....thousands of times. Never had one
>break !!! Never seen a correlation of Onan being in Compartment or out
>of compartment with regard to bracket failing. Could it be a coincident
>with not fixing the problem that caused the failure in the first place
>????
>
>Duane Simmons
>simmee
>
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[jim bounds1]

I have found that as the slides wear, they drop the generator a bit.
The starter bracket is the lowers point on the unit, it will hit the
bottom protective plate of the generator fixed housing.

If you wonder if this could be a problem, when pushing in the generator,
watch the lower edge of the starter bracket as it goes past the plate,
if it stops at the lip of the plate or you see a wear mark on the plate
where it has hit- you get the prize!

When working with this situation, I cut out a square from the lower
plate to allow the starter bracket to clear. This will eliminate the
need of stocking up on starter brackets for the future.

Hope this helps.

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

>
> In a message dated 8/14/98 8:36:31 PM Central Daylight Time, simmee

>
> break !!! Never seen a correlation of Onan being in Compartment or out
> of compartment with regard to bracket failing. Could it be a coincident
> with not fixing the problem that caused the failure in the first place
> ????
> >>
> Onan parts man who made the statement said something about the starter having
> some support from the case when pushed in. I haven't looked, so don't know