I have a 1988 f150 lariat and I am haveing a starter issue. I can put the starter on and the truck will start a couple of time then it grinds against the flywheel when it does this I can pull the starter back off then put it back on without doing anything with the fly wheel and it will start again only for a few time then I have to do the process all over again what is wrong please help I am desperate

 

Your starter drive(often referred to as the bendix) is bad. You can replace just the drive, which is what I prefer to do if the starter otherwise works good, or just replace the whole starter. Don't mess around or you may ruin the flywheel by grinding the teeth off in a spot, repair or replace as soon as possible.

If you want guidance on how to replace just the drive, just ask.

 

This is the third starter

 

Are you getting the correct starter? There is an ever so slight difference between the starters for stick and auto trucks. They appear the same but are two different part #'s. I believe it deals with nose depth.

 

The part numbers I'm useing 03-0402 and I've also gotten one from an 82 ford part number 03-0055

 

Explain grinds against the flywheel? Does it start the engine and the engine drags the starter? Starter spins but doesn't spin the engine? Engine starts and starter just rubs on flywheel? Or?

 

When it starts the grinding it's like to bendix and teeth on flexplate aren't connecting but I can remove the starter and put it back on in same place and then it grabs the teeth

 

Where are you getting the starters?

 

Oreilly

 

I would have guessed Autozone, it has been known to get several bad starters in a row there. It does have the symptoms of a bad bendix though. Most rebuilt stuff is kind of done on the cheap. I don't know what to say now.