starter pinion latches???

[attachment=20119]strater pinion.JPG[/attachment] Here is a pic. It came with the custom accsess hole:jaw:

This will help hopefully, if your 2 latches are worn they will not lock, just be aware if you want to buy genuine replacements from your local Cat Dealer take a bottle of smelling salts with you when you go to pay the bill, they will need the salts to bring you round again after you have fainted, they are about $100 each!😆
regards
Mike

Could be the "stop" inside of the collar assembly that the latches engage that is the problem. You will certainly need to pull the pinion so you can diagnose the problem. I would not be scared to do some "tuning up" on the latches with a welder and file, but do be aware that it could get scary if they don't unlatch properly when the main engine starts. You can disengage the clutch and save the pony motor from being oversped, but the pinion has to unlatch on it's own, nothing you can do there. So extensive modifications to the latches etc might not be a good idea.😆

Thanks for the replies,I see Mike's pics show very little space vs 1" on mine.does that mean that the return springs are broke?I might try adjustment of latches.I was quoted 186.42 ea for the latches.Could the latches be set so tight that they can't ramp up on the lock? Can the gov. be removed fairly easy for clearance for removal of unit?
Thanks again,quinq

WOW, "Only" $186 each for those latches, I thought the $100 I got quoted a year or two ago was bad enough!😖mokin: Is that large spring broken in the middle, or is it just the photo? Before I started pulling anything off I'd be squirting a 50:50 mixture of diesel and ATF over that pinion for a day or two and working it back and forwards, it is not unknown for them to seize up, and looking at your butchered housing I suspect you have had plenty of dirt floating around there.

Try the easy fixes first, before abusing the check book and your fingers.
Mike

That's up from $43.07 in April 2009. I bought an extra set because world inventory was around ten pieces. Wonder now if I can find them. The ones currently available must be new manufacture. $186 seems about right. That's $45 for the guy who makes them and the rest is value added.

Probably nothing wrong with the latches. The engagement arm is bent to where the latches will not engage. Most likely due to wrong speed release adjustment or sleeve is loose from pinion. The price you pay for manually holding in the pinion without latch engagement.