What is a starter motor bendix?

Question

Is it true that the only type of starter motor with a bendix is an inertia drive type?

Answer 1

Bendix is a common miss-used name for a starter drive. Bendix is actually a manufacturer. when people talk about the starter motor Bendix they are referring to the starter drive gear. this gear locks in 1 direction and free wheels in the other. so when the starter is applying more force to turn the engine over it is locked and when the engine starts the flywheel applies more force and the gear free wheels. if it did not the gear and or the flywheel would be damaged. all automotive starters have this type of starter drive.