Originally Posted by Diseasel300

See MikeD's post above. There are 2 big posts on the solenoid. The lower one is what the motor terminal connects to. The battery + terminal connects to the other. In this configuration, nothing should happen. To activate the starter, use a heavy piece of wire and jumper the battery + terminal to the small terminal. The solenoid should pull in, the motor should run, and the Bendix assembly should be flung out to engage the ring gear.

The armature of the solenoid free-floats. It shouldn't be greased either, wiped with oil is fine, but don't grease it. It's usually only held in place by the rubber boot on some designs, or only by tension against the Bendix fork on others.