Starter for vehicle engine

A starter for an engine of a vehicle, comprising:

• a motor generating torque for starting the engine;
• an output shaft configured to move in an axial direction thereof by being pressed at a pressure-receiving portion of the output shaft, and applied with the torque to rotate;
• wherein the pressure-receiving portion of the output shaft is disposed on a side of the output shaft that is closer to the vehicle than a clutch inner ring of a clutch;
• and
• a lever switch configured to press the pressure-receiving portion of the output shaft at a pressure-applying portion of the lever switch in accordance with an external command so that a pinion rotatably fixed to the output shaft engages with a gear of the engine to thereby start the engine;
• wherein a protection member rotatable with respect to the pressure-receiving portion is provided between the pressure-receiving portion and the pressure-applying portion, the pressure-applying portion facing the pressure-receiving portion across from the protection member being formed with a groove to be filled by lubricant, and the protection member comprising a plurality of washers inserted onto the output shaft so as to be situated between the pressure-receiving portion and the pressure-applying portion.