Dunno if you got any p-mail answers, but if you have a manual tranny, it's
possible that a buggered up starter bushing can keep the new one from going
in. That's a brass bushing located inside the bell housing, the tip of the
starter shaft fits into it.

At 01:26 PM 6/11/2006 -0700, Rob wrote:
>I have an '87 vanagon, with a subie 2.2. This is the stock VW starter.
>
>I took the starter off and it doesn't want to go back in, do I need
>to line the gear up to get it in or am I missing something simple?
>It's been a long time since I pulled the starter on a VW, & it's
>Sunday afternoon.
>Anyone on the computer who can offer advice? I'm back out to try some
>more & will come check the e-mail the next time I get really frustrated.
>
>
>
>
>
>Rob
>becida@comcast.net