Starter Solenoid repair

I have a 12 year old repower B&S engine in my JD 318 and for last year its been an issue with starting. Turn key and click goes the starter solenoid turn again click. I would do this number of times and it would finally power the starter. I would check for low battery not the case. It finally failed to work and I ended up jumping the solenoid battery terminals to start. Ok it’s time to replace so I removed solenoid.

After finding it was $20 part I decided I would investigate why it sounded like it worked but didn’t. I’m retired so 1 it’s $20 and 2 I have time. So I removed the 4 rivets by filing off the ends on back of metal base. Drilling only spun the rivets. I drove the rivets out on the body supporting the plastic body not to stress the plastic. Taking care to lay out parts as they were removed. The coil and coil wiring was removed with extra care as it’s very thin wire to terminal connectors. After the moving power points came out showing signs of burnt and carbon buildup on one side. Looking at the terminal post side where the power cables connect looked the same. Power post pressed out of the body with a light tap. I cleaned connections with 800 grit wet sand paper. The parts are heavy duty and would be a shame to throwaway. Reassembled and used 6-32 x 1/2” machine screws with nut and red thread locker. I was able the thread the metal base but didn’t feel confident it would hold by itself. Reinstalled and one click it started. Have to see how long this will last. Just may be a matter of re-cleaning in future.