Starter missing the flywheel!

[bronco2tank]

I have a 87 Bronco II with a 2.9. I bought it a couple of days ago and I replaced the usual (oil, wireset, spark plugs, battery, etc.) and I also replaced the starter. I had it running for three days in a row. However it made an awefull metal on metal squel. I thought that it was the flywheel but the next couple of times that I tried to bump it I could hear the starters bendex just spinning. Now I have just spinning and no engagement. I looked into different starters, but Ford used the same one on all the Bronco II's. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Ranger Dave]

check the flywheel

[bronco2tank]

It was definately the flywheel! When the previous owner had done work on the tranny it wasn't aligned properly. Thus when I took the new starter back off I seen a bunch on metal shavings and a worn down flywheel. Amazingly enough the starter made it through okay. Any ideal on the easiest way to replace the flywheel? Thanks!

[Mud Addict]

Gotta remove the transmission or motor, to get to it.

[Ranger Dave]

Any ideal on the easiest way to replace the flywheel? Thanks!

ya might be able to slide the tranny back far enough.i replaced the clutch in a xplorer without takin the tranny out

[justinC]

mine has the same problem but it has happened more than once so you might keep an eye on it to make sure that it doesnt keep happening

[fnlucky]

same thing with my 88 I replaced the starter not thinking about checking the flywheel... And then it would not start made this horrid noise so I checked the fly wheel and yep metal my starter did not fare well it got stuck open and chewed up... With the changing the fly wheel well unbolt slide back best to have a good size jack and a spare set of hands to steady it... Keep us posted!