Starter bendix gear rubbing flywheel 15hp Mercury 2-stroke- can it be shimmed?

Happy holiday season and thanks in advance for your help.

Problem: Decided to add a starter for the heck of it, and so my wife knows she can start the motor without me. I got the ring gear and spare flywheel for $30, so figured it's worth it. I bought an OEM equivalent from eBay. It fits, teeth mesh, but the bendix gear rubs on bottom of flywheel both in the engaged position and dis-engaged position. I attached photos.

- 15hp Mercury 2-stroke, 1998
- OEM starter is 90983A1 and the one I bought is supposed to be a match. It fits fine.
- See photos, Teeth mesh, bottom of bendix gear rubs bottom flywheel when engaged, bendix teeth rub bottom of flywheel when dis-engaged.
- I have not run the starter yet.

Questions:
Can shims be added that would solve this problem? Where would I shim the gear?
Is it just the wrong gear? What gear would be the correct one?

Thanks again,

Sure.

Jeff

What flywheel did you buy ?-------Taking 0.020" off the flywheel might work.-------What are the numbers / brand on the starter you bought ?-----Made in a far away place ?

Take the bendix off starter and grind the area in red..thiss will allow it to slip further down shaft//no need to shim.

Thanks for the help. I returned this starter to eBay and ordered another one from DB electric. It fits perfectly. So I think the one I got from a vendor on eBay has a batch that is not built to specifications. Thanks again,