I bought a new 2001 S-10 that I replaced a starter on, around 50K and 2 years after I bought the car. I have since sold the truck to my son, who now has around 140K and he has replaced the starter 3 more times and is having another starter put in as we speak. This is the 4 cylinder, manual trans, and when I changed it the first time, I did not notice any shims. I had starter problems many years ago, so I am always observant for shims. So since I bought this new, is it possible it should have had shims, or is there a service bulletin on this problem, or can someone give me some advice on the situation.

 

Welcome to the forum. There wouldn't be shims if they weren't needed. What was wrong with the starters? Has the flywheel ever been serviced?