How to get Merc starter brushes to stay in

[kenroughty]

Hi,<br />I have a '84 60hp Mercury. How do you get the starter brushes to stay in while putting the starter back together? There are 4 brushes and springs. I only have 2 hands and it seems 4 hands are needed to get all 4 to stay in.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Keith

 

[alcan]

Re: How to get Merc starter brushes to stay in

Temporarly wrap and twist a fine wire around the brushes. Assemble armature. Cut wires and remove.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: How to get Merc starter brushes to stay in

'mornin' kenroughty,<br /><br />Alcan's got it right. I don't knoiw your particular starter but typically there will be holes or ports at the base of the starter housing, in the area of the brushes. sometimes these are covered by a collar. slip a wire in the port or thru a hole, around the brush and then back out the port/hole. twist up the wire to restrain the brush. repeat for all 4 brushes. insert/seat the armature(?) shaft, then cut & pull out the wires. it really is "that-easy"<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[clanton]

Re: How to get Merc starter brushes to stay in

For the starters that dont have the wire holes, I use a putty knife with a slot cut the same size as the armature shaft. Push brushes down with knife install armature, slide putty knife out. The last one I did, I used a bondo plastic spreader with cut notch.