Abstract: An improved starting apparatus is utilized in association with a starting motor to effect rotation of an engine ring gear. The starting apparatus includes a pinion gear which is movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position in meshing engagement with an engine ring gear. If the pinion gear teeth and ring gear teeth are misaligned as the pinion gear is moved toward the engaged position, a plurality of balls cooperate with surfaces of grooves extending transversely to the path of movement of the pinion gear to effect rotational movement of the pinion gear relative to the engine ring gear. This pinion gear rotation moves the pinion gear teeth into alignment with the engine ring gear teeth and thereby enables the pinion gear to move into meshing engagement with the ring gear.