300SD starter problem

[tyl604]

Over the past month two times when I hit the starter I got nothing, like the battery was gone (ie not connected). I put it in drive, rocked it back and forth, and it started perfectly. So searching my memory I am wondering if the brushes landed on a flat spot on the commutator (is that the right word?) and I rocked it back to good contact.

As I remember if your starter solenoid is going out, you get a clicking noise. I did not have that. Had zero sound - just like someone had removed the battery. So I do not think it is the solenoid.

So do I need brushes and are they available for a 1981 300SD?

Thx.