Hey guys, got a new laptop recently that was actually able to read a random memory card i had laying around that i thought was dead. It just so happened the card had the pics on it from when i overhauled my FD starter.
I had been meaning to post the images to give people an idea of how to do it / whats involved but couldent get the images, until now!
It was months ago that i did it so sorry for the lame write up but its better then none, hopefully the pics will be self explanatory.

Ok so lets assume you have already removed your starter motor.
First you need to undo the bolts on the back of it to get it apart.

Remove both bolts. Spray he crap out of everything with brake clean.

Remove the back end of the starter and you can now see the bushes. Notice two of the brushes are severly worn down and much shorter than the others...iv circled them in red. They must be removed and replaced.

Remove the back plate thing that holds the brushes. Excuse about my lack of knowledge as to what anything is actually called, if you don’t like it, don’t read  once again notice how two brushes are basically non-existant

Old brushes, new brushes...

Notice the size difference between old and new..

New brushes installed, notice how far they all stick out!

Brush holder installed back in the rear casing

Now you want to clean up the contact areas on the rear of the ummmm...bit that spins LOL

Now its clean...use a scotch pad and some petrol or similar..

Reassemble and we are done! Your starter should be like new.

 

First time I've seen pics of someone opening and repairing an FD starter. Good job. You didn't replace the solenoid though...

 

^yep the solenoid still worked fine

I figured it was worth posting up as i always see people replacing the whole starter which is usually not needed. Overhauling them seems to be a bit of a lost art nowadays

 

Where do you purchase new brushes from is likely a question that will be asked.

 

I got them from my local mazda dealer, they are known as "starter yoke brushes".

I had the parts breakdown diagram somewhere(that they sent me so i could identify the correct part) but i cant find it now sorry =(
ill look for it on my work PC tomorrow.

I believe they are mostly compatible between different models of cars aswell.
A little trickier, but you can buy generic brushes from your local auto parts store and solder them onto the thick copper wires if you cant get actual mazda ones..
genuine mazda ones should be <$15

 

hurahhhh, here you go, i wrote it in an old thread at the time that i did it!
below is what i posted


" I ordered new brushes from mazda, part number is 24-753 - BRUSH, YOKE. They are cheap for anyone thinking about doing theirs. Less than $15 usd I would assume. (yes i know you can get universal/generic brushes but for the value, im not going to try to find something elsewhere that will fit)

I should have them tomorrow and will probably do a little "how to" remove/dissasemble and recondition the FD starter motor if i can find a camera in time.

Yea its pretty much the same as any starter but specific pics often help people attempt things themselves which they otherwise may not, and I cant currently find a FD starter rebuild thread."

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...oblems-989597/

 

This would have been an epic thread, had not every photo been as burry as all get out..

One suggestion, you might attach the photos to the messages in the thread. This way the photos will always be around as long as the forum is (since external picture hosting changes through the years).

 

Great writeup, never take a starter apart before. I have a spare FD starter sitting around, I might open it to check it out.

 

But you did not go over the 100% take apart, clean, and re-lube.
You only concentrated on the brushes.

I first totally cleaned mine in 1999 with an engine rebuild, and again this year with a new clutch and trans. My brushes are still in fine condition and length with over 128,00 miles and 11 years of dayly driving to work.

How did yours get worn out?

 

I have no idea how they got worn out.. they just did. I guess my starter fluid was bad

I just threw the images up because i found an old SD card with them on, and I remembered that when i tried searching for images at the time i was doing my starter brushes, I couldent find any for the FD. So figured i would post them up in hopes they would help someone..even if they arent very good quality.