assembly of starter?

[RalphWD45]

I pulled a B Allis Chalmers starter apart, replaced the 4 brushes, cleaned the armature comuter, and now cant get the brushes to stay back so I can put the armature back in. How do you keep the brushes out of your way till you put the armature in?
 

[LKM]

The brushes are held in contact with the commutator by spring tension. Use a heavy thread or small wire and tie the brush holder and brush back on at least 3 of the brushes while holding the forth back with a small hook type object. Slip the communator back into position and release the springs. I personally use baling wire to make small hooks and secure them to a bolt or any feasable place on the outside of the case.
 

[Dalex]

Is it a Delco or an Autolite /Prestolite ?
 

[thurlow]

Don't recall ever rebuilding an A-C starter, but on the ones I have rebuilt, I've balanced the starter on its other end, slide the outside down over it and hold the brushes back with 2 fingers on each hand.
 

[old]

Not 100% sure on that one but most of them you can pull the brushes back to the point the spring hold the bushes up and out of the way but not so far as to have the springs drop back in. Then you still the armature in then one by one push the brushes down to the point the springs take over
 

[MarkB_MI]

Pull the springs out of the way so you can retract the brushes. Once a brush is halfway out of its holder, let go of its spring. The spring will push against the side of the brush and hold it in place while you assemble the starter. Then just pull the springs back again, slide in the brushes and return the springs to their proper locations.
 

[Dusty MI]

How's the bearings ? Most times they need replacing.
 

[showcrop]

I've done it with string.
 

[pete 23]

On delco's I always pull end plate first and install last with brush's on it and just work one brush at a time on to commutator. I say this because I have seen so many try to leave the end plate on and inset commutator through barrel into end plate. You may have a different starter but after you do a few hundred one always figures out a way to readily do it.
 

[Mike (WA)]

Wife is a dental hygienist, so we always have a lot of dental floss hanging around. It is very strong, and not bulky like string. Tie brush up and out of the way, and stick an Xacto knife in to cut it when the time comes.