is formed by the first case member 76 to limit the motion of the armature plate 84 toward the electromagnetic coil 70 the second case member 92 is disposed within the central cavity 68 of the nose portion 66 of the starter motor housing 62 such as to be rotatably and axially movable relative to the drive shaft 72 the second case member 92 is axially interposed between the first case member 76 and an engine ring gear 94 of the engine to be started not shown in the drawing the second case member 92 is interconnected with the first case member 76 by means of a plurality of tongues 126 extended from the second case member 92 into engagement with a plurality of slots 128 formed in the first case member 76 the second case member 92 is axially displaceable along the drive shaft 72 relative to the first case member 76 and is rotatably driven by the first case member 76 a coil spring 130 and an annular cushion member 132 are mechanically interposed between the second case member 92 and the first case member 76 such as to bias the second case member 92 away from the first case member 76 in a direction towards the engine ring gear 94 as shown the axially extending flange 76c of the.