Starter Boot Replacement

[Steven Proctor]

So I have been having some issues with the bike and I wanted to clean all the electrical connections and add some dielectric grease too. Upon inspection of my starter I saw that one ode the ground wire’s boot and sleeve was severely jacked up. I could see the copper all through and the boots were had dry rot. I purchased the new boots and sleeve but not sure how to get them on. In the pic you can see the sleeve that goes over the wire. Any ideas on how to get this sleeve on without removing the starter? I don’t want to rip the sleeve because of the large connection. Not sure if I should cut the connector off. Right now the connected is permanently attached to the wire. Thanx for the help!

 

[Jwooky]

thats not a ground

That's the high current power to the starter motor.

You can either remover the stater and have it rewired/rebuilt..
or
Find a piece of high quality, shrink wrap and put it over the wire.

i would also apply sealer or where it goes into the motor.

 

[Steven Proctor]

thats not a ground

That's the high current power to the starter motor.

You can either remover the stater and have it rewired/rebuilt..
or
Find a piece of high quality, shrink wrap and put it over the wire.

i would also apply sealer or where it goes into the motor.

Thanx for the clarification! Pretty important piece if info. I have the right boots and sleeve to place over it. I guess I will cut the connection and replace the connector.

 

[Mickeetwo]

That's a common problem on bigdogs or at least in 06 it was. I just shrink wrapped mine and likr JJ said it's a hot wire to the starter

 

[demon dog]

I've used liquid electrical tape...brushes on...and I did several layers . No problems since. maybe slice the boot and then seal with the liquid tape. hope it works out for you.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

All you have to do is get a short piece of coat hanger, make a small hook on one end, put the hook through the boot so it can grab the eyelet and apply a little dielectric grease to the inside of the boot at the hook end.
Now hook the eyelet on the starter wire and push the boot down over the eyelet being careful not to dig the hook into the boot.
With the dielectric grease it will slide on fairly easily. The fun part is getting it into the starter casing. Not impossible and sometimes they actually slide right in for me.....lol.
I do them all the time here in the shop without removing the starter on most but the left side drives pretty much force you to remove the starter in some cases.
I also like to add some steel braid and shrink tube to protect the boot.

 

[Steven Proctor]

Thanx for all the input. I will give it a shot tomorrow.

 

[what?]

It's a pain in the ass for sure. I had some luck with starting the boot over the eyelet?? On the end and then rolling it back over itself. Wok it down some then roll it back some more. Probably a piss poor analogy but think about the first time you put a rubber on.......when you were drunk.


I had the boot crack apart earlier this year and wasn't sure if it was causing issues with my battery.
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/posts/854540/

 

[Kobi]

I would suggest you cover the tube with cloth tape or plastic wire tubing when you are done. I replaced mine and the rubber started splitting and cracking again in less than a year. I was hoping the new tubes were made of more durable material. Liquid tape may be the best bet as long as you can properly protect the wire where it goes thru the chrome cover.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

I would suggest you cover the tube with cloth tape or plastic wire tubing when you are done. I replaced mine and the rubber started splitting and cracking again in less than a year. I was hoping the new tubes were made of more durable material. Liquid tape may be the best bet as long as you can properly protect the wire where it goes thru the chrome cover.

The boots we're getting are crap for sure. I've tried several different ones with the same results. Unfortunately everything is coming out of China these days and this little stuff is just junk most of the time. Thats one reason why we started putting steel braid on the boot.

 

[Steven Proctor]

All you have to do is get a short piece of coat hanger, make a small hook on one end, put the hook through the boot so it can grab the eyelet and apply a little dielectric grease to the inside of the boot at the hook end.
Now hook the eyelet on the starter wire and push the boot down over the eyelet being careful not to dig the hook into the boot.
With the dielectric grease it will slide on fairly easily. The fun part is getting it into the starter casing. Not impossible and sometimes they actually slide right in for me.....lol.
I do them all the time here in the shop without removing the starter on most but the left side drives pretty much force you to remove the starter in some cases.
I also like to add some steel braid and shrink tube to protect the boot.

Got the boot on with your method. Worked pretty good. Just took my time. It was a bit of a pain to get the boot to seat into the starter. Now time to start putting it all back together.

 

[Srodden]

It's a pain in the ass for sure. I had some luck with starting the boot over the eyelet?? On the end and then rolling it back over itself. Wok it down some then roll it back some more. Probably a piss poor analogy but think about the first time you put a rubber on.......when you were drunk.


I had the boot crack apart earlier this year and wasn't sure if it was causing issues with my battery.
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/posts/854540/

What !! ?? When I was drunk I just shoved it in lol believe me I shoved hard lol