1998 Softail starter install : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

jcorso11 · 08-07-2009, 09:23 PM

Removal went pretty much according to plan, reinstall....

There is a sleeve that covers that starter shaft and the shaft that goes into the primary, basically a slightly larger sleeve... the sleeve is tapered on one end.

2 questions. 1 is if the taper goes towards the starter or the primary...

2. The shaft has a snap ring inside it.... it would appear that said snap ring should be on something... not just in the sleeve!!!! any assistance would be AWESOME!!!!

Joe

Serg06 · 08-07-2009, 09:28 PM

the snap ring stop the shaft from going further down the starter shaft. You should be able to tell by how far down the shaft the sleeve goes. It is supposed to cover the starter shaft and the snap ring will bottom out when installed properly. I can't remember but I think the short side goes towards the starter.

rcsoftail · 08-07-2009, 09:35 PM

I can't remember either, but the start shaft will be almost completely covered by the sleeve.

Serg06 · 08-07-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcsoftail

I can't remember either, but the start shaft will be almost completely covered by the sleeve.

And the snap ring will be on the starter shaft.

jcorso11 · 08-07-2009, 09:50 PM

ok.

So i put the snap ring on the groove of the starter? Then which picture is right?
image 99( which the taper towards starter)
image 98 (taper towards primary)

Serg06 · 08-07-2009, 09:52 PM

Tapper towards primary. it has to go through a seal.

jcorso11 · 08-07-2009, 09:55 PM

so, the coupler will cover the starter shaft completely?

Should the snap ring be attached to the shaft of the starter? or just resting against it?

Serg06 · 08-07-2009, 09:57 PM

Just resting against it. Put the tapper towards the primary and slap that bitc& on.

jcorso11 · 08-07-2009, 11:35 PM

OK.... call me crazy... but this can only go on one way, right???

I tried it the way you explained, and ill be.... Nothing.

I think we were looking at different tapers... Either way, i swapped it, and bam... all set.

Going the way you said, I couldnt do ANYTHING to get the shaft screw to reach the starter....

I spun it over, and its engaging perfectly...

SO, the million dollar question... Can this piece be swapped, or is it a one way installable part. (the coupler)

jcorso11 · 08-08-2009, 10:04 AM

anyone. I just about have this buttoned up, and before I put oil in, i want to confirm that its right.

Thanks
Joe

rcsoftail · 08-08-2009, 12:51 PM

Your first picture 898 looks correct to me. The longer section goes over the starter shaft. The snap ring stays in the sleeve and butts up against the end of the starter shaft. I did one a few months ago and my memory is starting to come back.