If the starter has a problem of “slippage” and “stagnation”, nine out of ten it is due to the lack of lubrication of the one-way clutch.But not all one-way clutches can be greased casually-the roller type will wear out if it is applied incorrectly, the friction plate type will slip directly if it is applied too much, and the spring type will still break if it is not applied to the point.

Today, I will explain the three one-way clutch lubrication methods commonly used in household and commercial vehicles. Follow the steps and it can last 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers 

If the starter has a problem of “slippage” and “stagnation”, nine out of ten it is due to the lack of lubrication of the one-way clutch.But not all one-way clutches can be greased casually-the roller type will wear out if it is applied incorrectly, the friction plate type will slip directly if it is applied too much, and the spring type will still break if it is not applied to the point.Today, I will explain the three one-way clutch lubrication methods commonly used in household and commercial vehicles. Follow the steps and it can last 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers. 

1.First understand: why does the one-way clutch have to be lubricated?

No matter what type, the one-way clutch relies on "mechanical locking” to transmit power, and the core problem is friction and wear.**：

Lack of oil can cause dry grinding of parts, such as flat rollers and broken springs, and it won't take long for them to slip.；

Sand, dust and metal debris mixed in, isolated without grease, will wear out the contact surface like sandpaper；

The starter will heat up when it is working, and the high-quality grease can withstand the high temperature and will not run off or harden.

But the key is: for one-way clutches of different structures, the “key points” and “taboos” of lubrication are completely different. First see what type of car your car is and then do it.

2. Roller type one-way clutch (the most common in family cars): keep an eye on the roller and wedge groove

The Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and other family cars we drive are basically roller-type one-way clutches-relying on 3-6 small rollers to “clamp/loosen” in the wedge-shaped groove, and the lubrication is staring at these two places.

1. Preparation tools: Choosing the right grease is the key

Necessary greases: ** High-temperature lithium-based grease** (just No. 3, temperature resistance -20℃~120℃, not flowing in summer, not hard in winter), old cars or those who often run at high speeds, choose "extreme pressure high-temperature lithium-based grease” (better wear resistance, temperature resistance 150℃)；

-Don't use butter (calcium-based fat)!In winter, it will be as hard as a stone, and the roller will not be able to turn if it is stuck, and in summer, it will flow cleanly, which is tantamount to not applying; the oil will not work, it is too thin, and it will leak out at once.

-Auxiliary tools: dust-free cloth, cotton swabs (wipe small gaps), small soft brushes (for greasing), needle-nose pliers (remove circlip), alcohol (remove old grease).

2. Step-by-step lubrication: thoroughly lubricate during disassembly and inspection (recommended)

If the starter has been removed (such as changing the one-way clutch or repairing the electromagnetic switch), take the opportunity to lubricate thoroughly, the effect is best：

①The negative electrode of the power-off bottle: First unplug the negative electrode wire of the battery to avoid energizing and burning the motor when touching the wire.；

② Remove the one-way clutch: slide down from the armature and block it with your hand when removing the circlip (the circlip is elastic, don't bounce and can't be found)；

③Remove old grease: Wipe the old grease and metal shavings inside with a dust-free cloth. If there are many impurities, wipe with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, dry and then apply a new one.；

④ Apply new grease: cotton swabs dipped in grease, apply a thin layer on the surface of each roller (0.5mm thick, just cover it, don't pile it into balls), and the inner wall of the wedge-shaped groove is mainly coated with “the narrow end of the roller clamping” (the friction is the most severe here); the mating surface of the electric pivot is also coated with a circle to facilitate the expansion and contraction of the one-way clutch.；

⑤Installation and return test: Install the one-way clutch back on the shaft, clamp the circlip tightly, and turn the gear by hand-it can't turn clockwise, it can turn freely counterclockwise, and it's right without caton.；

⑥ Install the starter back: connect the wires and batteries, and try to twist the key. There is no abnormal noise or slippage when starting, and it's done.

3. Simple lubrication (for emergency use, no need to disassemble the starter)

If it's just regular maintenance and you don't want to disassemble the starter, just apply it from the gap of the electromagnetic switch.：

①The negative electrode of the power-off bottle, unplug the small plug of the electromagnetic switch；

② Dip a small amount of lithium-based grease with a small brush and squeeze it in through the gap of the electromagnetic switch push rod (the push rod is connected to the handle clutch, and the grease will be brought in with the movement)；

③ Press the push rod repeatedly several times to let the grease spread evenly, connect the plug and battery back, and try to start.

️️ Note: This method can only be temporarily alleviated, and the old car should be disassembled and lubricated more thoroughly.

3. Friction plate type one-way clutch (commercial vehicles/large-displacement vehicles): Never touch the friction plate!

Trucks and large-displacement SUVs commonly use friction plate type-relying on multiple sets of friction plates to “compress” the transmission force, you must not touch the friction plate when lubricating, otherwise it will slip as soon as it starts.

1. Structural characteristics: The friction plate is a "restricted area”

The friction plate is divided into the active plate and the driven plate, which are locked by friction. Once the grease is stained, the friction force is gone, and it will only idlewild when starting.Therefore, lubrication can only be applied to “non-friction parts”: separation bearings, guide sleeves, and spring shafts.

2. Lubrication points: choose the right grease + isolation protection

Grease: Separate the bearing and guide shaft**Special bearing grease** (such as polyurethane, which has low viscosity, is not thick at high temperature, and will not get stuck); just apply a small amount of lithium-based grease to the spring shaft (anti-rust, don't flow too much to the friction plate)；

-Operation steps：

①spread the area of the friction plate with a clean cloth during disassembly and inspection, so as not to let the grease splash on it；

②The separation bearing is only coated with the inner ring (where it rotates), and the outer ring is not coated (to prevent it from being thrown on the friction plate)；

③ If you accidentally touch the friction plate, quickly wipe it thoroughly with alcohol, otherwise the start-up will be broken.

4. Spring-type one-way clutch (old car/motorcycle): seeping into the spring gap

Some old models of Jetta and motorcycles use spring-type-relying on coil springs to “hold/loosen” the armature to work, and lubrication requires grease to penetrate into the contact point between the spring and the shaft.

1. Lubrication focus: inside of the spring + both ends

Inside of the spring: the spiral surface in contact with the electric pivot will grind out of the groove due to lack of oil, and the holding force will decrease.；

End faces at both ends: where it comes into contact with the gear and housing, it will get stuck if it is worn out.

2. Operation method: Use a needle tube to "accurately feed fat”

Grease: Choose **extreme pressure lithium-based grease** (spring force is large, anti-fatigue wear), add a small amount of molybdenum disulfide grease (waterproof and anti-rust) for cars that are often wading in water；

Steps：

① Remove the one-way clutch from the shaft, use a thin needle tube for liposuction, and inject it into the spiral gap on the inside of the spring (to ensure that the grease seeps into the contact point)；

②the two ends are coated with a thin layer, and the rotating spring is tested to be able to rotate flexibly without getting stuck.；

③ Don't apply too much, the grease will block the gap, and the spring will not be able to hold the shaft tightly. 

5. Comparison table of the three types of lubrication: you can understand it at a glance

Let's break down the lubrication points of the three one-way clutches into vernacular, and make them clear one by one, so that you can remember them. ——

Let's talk about the most common roller type for family cars. Its "maintenance focus" has to be focused on three places: the roller itself, the inner wall of the wedge groove, and the mating surface of the electric pivot and the one-way clutch.Don't choose grease blindly, just use high-temperature lithium-based grease.

Old cars or those that often run at high speeds are more resistant to extreme pressure and high-temperature lithium-based grease; but butter and engine oil are absolutely untouchable. The butter is as hard as frozen lard in winter, and the roller can't turn. In summer, it runs out again.

The engine oil is too thin, and it leaks out as soon as it is applied, which is a waste of effort.This kind is generally installed in family cars and small SUVs, such as common models such as Toyota and Honda.

Look at the friction plate type again. It is mostly used in heavy trucks and large-displacement SUVs. Remember the “restricted area” when lubricating-the friction plate and the pressure plate working surface must not be greased!As soon as the fat is stained, the friction is gone, and it will only idlewild when it starts.

What should really be coated is to separate the bearing, the guide sleeve and the spring shaft: to separate the bearing and the guide sleeve, you have to use special bearing grease (that is, the kind that is low in viscosity and does not thicken at high temperatures, and will not get stuck).

Just apply a little lithium-based grease to the spring shaft to prevent rust. If it flows to the friction plate, it will be troublesome.

The last is the spring type, which is commonly used in old Jetta, motorcycles and agricultural vehicles.When lubricating, drill into the “gap": focus on the inside of the spring (that is, the spiral surface in contact with the electric pivot, which is easy to grind out of the groove due to lack of oil) and the end faces at both ends of the spring (where it is in contact with the gear and housing, it will get stuck if it is worn out).You have to choose extreme pressure lithium-based grease.

For cars that are often wading in water, add some molybdenum disulfide grease for waterproof and rust-proof; but don't be greedy. Too much coating will block the gap in the spring, but it will make the spring unable to hold the shaft tightly and work in vain.

6. The old driver reminds: Don't step on these 3 pits

1. Don't try to save trouble with the wrong grease: butter and engine oil damage a lot of cars, especially in winter, the rollers are stuck and can't turn, so they can only be towed.；

2. Cleaning is more important than applying grease: old grease will have acidic substances when it deteriorates. If you don't wipe it clean, you can apply a new one directly, which is tantamount to "mixing the old and the new”, which has no effect.；

3.  If the wear is serious, don't just rely on lubrication: if the one-way clutch has slipped and the roller has been flattened, the grease can only be temporarily used for emergency relief. It should be replaced or replaced. Don't waste time.

In fact, one-way clutch lubrication is not difficult. The key is to “see the type clearly and find the right focus”. It takes 10 minutes to get it done, which can save a lot of money for replacement parts.If you are not sure what type of car your car is, you can read the repair manual of the starter, or take it off to see the structure-the roller type has small rollers, the friction plate type has multi-layer iron sheets, and the spring type is a coil spring, which is very easy to recognize.