Starter Drive kicks out

one of my 430 diesels has developed annoying problem , The
starter solenoid will not keep the starter drive engaged into the
flywheel ring gear .the starter spins free but the drive will not
stay engaged long enough to start the engine. I think the drive
is at fault But Not sure ? Which componet is at fault. is the
solenoid failing to keep the drive engaged ? or is there sprags
inside the starter drive that are stripped and are failed ?

Most commonly in what I have experienced is the starter drive at fault. That is the easiest and most inexpensive to start with. The starter ring gear on the flywheel could be getting worn of course and on very rare occasion I have seen the plunger stroke of the drive not adjusted correctly. That can be checked after replacing the drive, Rod.

I see so many times folks will just change the drive,, sure that will help out if that is the cause only most times I see the entire started needs checked over and rebuilt to make them work 100% I guess I do not mind spending more on the repair to get things back to 100%,, I agree with Rod for sure just me I do not just stop there,,

Tom , The Shop That we used to trust Has Gotten The "Throw it ALL Away AND BUY A NEW ONE" mentality . And Maybe THat REALLY is the right way to go to get the ultimate "BANG" from a starter instead of patching one up to get several thousand more starts . . In the Last 2 years . One starter for a 318 Dodge , I have bought One for a 430 Case , one for a 800 Case , one for combine Perkins motor , one for Dodge Cummins,. and TWO for a 4020 JD .in 18 months time to the tune of average 250-350 And That is Reasonable new rebuilt price , But Golly after all that lunch money thrown that way . You would think The guy would help You out when ever You have a problem . What has me Feeling disappointed is THe 4020 starter failed in 10 months time And the fella refused to make it right or at the very least Prorate . Based on the fact water had found its way into the starter , probably from pressure washing . I was right there when He took it apart and there is no denying that water got in there,. HOWEVER ,. The ribber O ring was flattened on what side and round on the other side indicating a possible failure point from the factory rebuilder. The Guy refused to acknowledge the O ring was at Fault And to Me it was obvious as that was the cause of failure, and His rebuilder Could Had "made it Right" if He would had" gone to bat for Me " .. I just Don'tcare todo bizniz With that guy unless I have To ,., And i Know I can put a starter drive in that starter , because i have done it before , back in my High School days .