The present invention discloses a starter for cranking an internal combustion engine including a device for absorbing a rotational torque exceeding a predetermined level. In this device, a laminated body composed of fixed disks and the rotatable disks is used. A frictional force in the laminated body is preset by a spring member pressing the laminated body in the laminated direction. To avoid concentration of the pressing force to a position where the spring force is imposed, a certain gap is formed between the spring member and the laminated body. To give a proper surface hardness to an internal gear portion of the rotatable disk and to give an abrasion-resistive property to a portion contacting the fixed disk, the rotatable disk is subjected to soft nitriding treatment. Thus, a stable frictional force is secured in the laminated body, and a long life of the excessive-torque-absorbing device is realized.