So here is my dilema, bought my truck a couple three weeks ago with 150K miles on it. Truck runs great and had all routine maintenance records on it, dating back till it was new. Then last weekend, the starter started grinding every now and then. So I went to Napa on Sunday, because the dealer was closed, and bought and installed a new starter for it. Worked great for Sunday and most of Monday, but then it did it again. So I kicked myself for not getting the starter from the dealer. Went back to Napa and returned the starter. Went to the dealer and bought a different one. I decided to look at the flywheel while the starter was off and saw that four or five of the teeth are worn (see pic below). Anyway, went ahead and put starter on. Now it hasnt' made any wierd noises for three days.
My question is, should I have the flywheel replaced (to the tune of around $450), or is this "normal" wear for a flywheel. Any suggestions would be appreciated. THANKS

 

If that is the worst spot then I'd run it, but if you have the time and energy......

Remove starter and file those bad spots to look like the other teeth on the flywheel, while your there(actually before you start filling) turn the engine over(by hand) while watching the flywheel to make sure that is the worst spot. If there are other spots that are worse and appear to have teeth missing, it could be causing the repeated starter failures.

 

Ditto, I agree with rollingthunder. File the burrs off flywheel teeth it will work fine.

 

Sounds good. I'll get in there and check the whole flywheel and file those down. Thanks for the advise.