Bendix replacement

[BennyB]

So I have a 550 that has been running great all summer. Well with the exception of a small leak I guess, but I'm not worrying about that just yet. After taking it out last, the starter just spins and the Bendix does not engage. I haven't had to deal with one of these yet in my jetski journey. Is that something that can be rebuilt or do I need to cough up the $450 for a new one? Also, I'm assuming the cheap ones I see for 25 bucks on Amazon are garbage? However, there are some from WSM and SBT for around $100. Anyone have any experience with any of these? Are the WSM or SBT ones any good or do I need to shell out the cash for OEM?

Also, to replace this I know I need to pull the flywheel. Can anyone recommend a good flywheel puller? Are there any that work for both Kawasaki and Yamaha? Or do I need to get a Kawasaki specific one for this and a Yamaha one when I need to pull my superjet flywheel at some point.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Big Kahuna]

The bendix on a 550 is built onto the Starter, not like they are on 650cc and larger motor.

 

[BennyB]

The bendix on a 550 is built onto the Starter, not like they are on 650cc and larger motor.

Oh ok so I need to replace the whole starter then?

 

[Big Kahuna]

Yerp.

 

[BennyB]

Well that was good to learn, thanks! Looks like OEM starters for the 440/550 are non-existent these days, as would be expected. Any brands I should be aware to avoid or seek out?

 

[WFO Speedracer]

This would be my pick, but shop around you might find it cheaper than that somewhere else. The Venom brand starters are good , the Protorque starters are good but kind of pricey , avoid the elcheapo Ebay and Amazon Chinesium starters and SBT starters like the plague.

1976-1995 Kawasaki JetSki Jet Ski JS400 JS440 JS550 550SX Venom Starter Motor | 211633710 | OE | 0791321102787

JS550 / SX 1982-1995. New high performance Venom 9-tooth starter motor. Venom Starters. Maintaining your Jet Ski isn't always easy, with many Jet Ski parts difficult to find or unavailable because they've been discontinued.

www.ebay.com

 

[BennyB]

This would be my pick, but shop around you might find it cheaper than that somewhere else. The Venom brand starters are good , the Protorque starters are good but kind of pricey , avoid the elcheapo Ebay and Amazon Chinesium starters and SBT starters like the plague.

1976-1995 Kawasaki JetSki Jet Ski JS400 JS440 JS550 550SX Venom Starter Motor | 211633710 | OE | 0791321102787

JS550 / SX 1982-1995. New high performance Venom 9-tooth starter motor. Venom Starters. Maintaining your Jet Ski isn't always easy, with many Jet Ski parts difficult to find or unavailable because they've been discontinued.

www.ebay.com

Awesome thanks, good to know about the SBT starters as those were the easiest to find on my initial search. I'll go with the venom

 

[WFO Speedracer]

A few of us here have used the Venom starters with good results . Myself has pulled one apart and said that it looks fairly beefy inside .