Have I solved starter issue ?

[Pavl]

C5 estate x7 2008 1.6 hdi - mine for 5x mots.
Short version:
Two days ago parked in shade at home, later went to move it to more shade and just did a short 3 point turn and parked slightly nose down moderate slope. All as normal.
Later same day go to start it and just aloud click (like a big relay) but without any motion or noise from starter. Dashboard and all other electricals looked/behaved as normal.
Yesterday removed starter, clamped in vice and tested with spare battery.
Instant operation without slightest hesitation. Repeated a few times without problem.
Afternoon - replaced starter, turned key and instant start.
Continues to start as normal (at least ten times since starter refit).
Have I really only done the equivalent of whacking the solenoid with number one adjuster ?
Or is there a looming computer brain cloud looming ?

Background:
C5 always started without any hesitation, rarely use any amount of glow plug.
Engine in very good condition, pollutions always very low, FAP juice up to date, no electrical faults.
Was re-programmed (mild) year and half ago.
Usually does very long 130kmh runs.
Starter (apart from being "great fun" to remove and replace) looked in good order (Mitsubishi I think). Pinion looked as new.
Connections were slightly corroded and needed tlc to loosen and a very good clean and thread clean.
Tightened earth strap as much as I dare.
Faces of alu block and motor had a white film (brushed off).
Copper grease added to alu faces and to threads of bolts which had come out clean and dry (after some swearing).
Torque to "grunting sounds" as even my small 3/8 torque wrench wont fit.

Would you rely on this from now ?
Paul

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi and welcome.

I would suggest that is exactly what you have done. As the bushes wear, they can get stuck and I suspect then when you left the car on a slope they didn't settle back - so the equivalent of a tap has knocked them back.

It's a sign they are likely wearing, so I suppose it depends on whether you want to get them replaced or just bung a new starter in.

[Pavl]

Thank you - GiveMeABreak.
I think I will go for replacing the whole lump ... and now that I am a skilled starter remover/replacer it should only take five minutes ....oh dear ..the shadow of that flying pink thing has just blotted out the sky ....

Just a note about the C5 .. there is a bunch of cables retained by the little bracket on top of the starter and they are the biggest barrier to removal and replacement.
I will be trying to make some sort of retainer for the pin on this bracket that just pushes into a spare threaded hole ... so that the motor can be put back without inventing some new words.
If this works I will post info.
For those of you who might be familiar with older RangeRovers ... I will just say "top bell housing nuts".
Paul