Rebuilding starter: how often and how many times?

01’ pre runner. I got it at 133k and currently at 221k. I’ve rebuilt the start once.

How often should the bushings be replaced/how many times can that be done before it’s best just to get a new starter?

the truck is still starting fine but I’ve had two instances in the past month where when I went to restart the engine - it had been sitting maybe two minutes while I ran into my shop and then back out - where it wouldn’t start. Pumping the throttle got it to start. I’m not sure if that is a starter issue or something else.

I use this truck daily for work and there is a lot of starting through out the day.

I probably rebuilt the starter at 150, 160k

 

When you say it wouldn't start, do you mean it would not turn over at all or it would not start and run?

 

Wouldn’t turn over right away. Once it got going it runs fine.

 

I'd check the battery cables- both the terminal ends, and the wires for signs of corrosion

 

If you had to pump the throttle it's not the starter.... ofc the delay you gave while pumping the pedal isn't ot be discounted

 

Your issue is not starter related; turning of the key and getting a single "click" sound is, which you are not experiencing.

 

Bushings?

Most time it is worn contacts and plunger in the starter solenoid .

Replace as needed I have installed new contacts a few times in the original starter rather then swap for a poor quality after market.

 

If you mean that when you turned the key you did not hear any clicks from the starter, then I would suspect the solenoid contacts inside the starter assembly are starting to wear out. And then I would pull the starter and replace the contacts on the solenoid housing and on the solenoid plunger.

Like I had to do with mine 12 years ago...

 

I heard clicks.

Given I had to pump the throttle a bit, what would that be?

It hasn’t happened in a few weeks.