Starter with armature shaft bearing between armature and speed reducer

A motor vehicle starter (10) comprising:

• an electric motor (16) comprising a rear armature shaft (18) carrying armature windings (22) and rotationally guided by a first rear bearing (32) and by a second front bearing (68);
• a coaxial front output shaft (20) carrying a starter drive assembly (64) and rotationally driven by the rear armature shaft (18);
• an epicyclic gear train speed reducer (44) inserted axially between the rear armature shaft (18) and the front output shaft (20) for the coupling thereof;
• the second front bearing (68) inserted axially between the armature windings (22) and the reducer (44) so that a supporting section (74) of the armature shaft (18) received in the front bearing (68);
• the reducer (44) comprising planetary gears (46) carried by the output shaft (20) and fitted rotationally between two front (50) and rear (52) radial flanges;
• the front bearing (68) capable of being supported axially against the rear flange (52);
• the reducer (44) further comprising at least one spacer (48) such that the radial flanges (50, 52) being kept apart axially by the at least one spacer (48) so as to provide an axial clearance between the planetary gears (46) and at least one of the radial flanges (50, 52) in order to prevent the nipping of the planetary gears (46) when the front bearing (68) is supported axially against the rear radial flange (52).