starter questions

[thekidd]

I have a no start, but while waiting for my new parts, I took apart 2 starters. One is the old bigger starter, and another of the newer smaller styled starter. I've never opened up any starters before. The bigger starter I took apart, and when i got to the brushes one looked like it wasn't even touching the copper part of the armature. Could this be why my starter was bad? And also noticed that 2 of my brushes were were worn down at an angle, and the other 2 looked like they wore down normal (a slight rounded in the middle wear). Is this normal wear on the brushes? Could the 2 brushes that were worn at an angle cause the starter to be bad? Filed the 2 brushes down to they were flat and making contact with the copper part, and reassembled. Will have tested tomorrow.
The smaller starter is about 2 years old, and noticed there are 6 lines scorched on the big round silver magnetic piece, 3 on one side, and 3 on the exact opposite side. Is that why that starter is bad? And I also have something loose in the solenoid. Don't know if that is a recent break or not in there. I did strip the small stud for the solenoid, and moved the silver arm going into the solenoid, but still connected. Also will have tested tomorrow.

How do I test them at home? I took jumper cables and put the +positive wire to the large post on the starter, and the -negative clamp to the small stud, connected them to the battery, + wire from battery to the larger stud on the starter. Is this correct? Nothing happened prior to taking the starters apart.

Any insight is welcomed. Have a new starter on the way BTW. Thanks.

(I wish my phones camera worked so I could show you all what I am talking about