Starter clutch bearing question

[JGL381]

Bought an 01 warrior with the "common starter clunk"....it was so bad i had to try and fix it...I pulled the starter, side cover, and flywheel...My question is, are the little "teeth" suppost to fall our of the bearing when its separated from the big gear?....a friend said they would fall out even if the bearing is good. The reason i ask is after all this dis-assembly, i cant find any thing wrong...cant see any real wear on those teeth or the big gear...and the starter bench tests fine.....what am i missing?

 

[geeessfore]

I had a member recommend i put assembly lube in the hole the shaft drives in. It has quieted down my starter clunk alot.