Grinding noise when starting

I have a 1990, 4x4 that has started making a grinding noise when I start the truck. It doesn't happen all the time, but often enough to cause concern.

Now before I invest in a starter, flywheel etc etc, I read from cartalk.com that the starter is misaligned and needs to be shimmed to line up perfectly to start the motor.

Anyone have this problem and if it was fixed this way or if it was as simple of changing the starter?

Thanks so much in advance.

Now before I invest in a starter, flywheel etc etc, I read from cartalk.com that the starter is misaligned and needs to be shimmed to line up perfectly to start the motor.



I would think that if it was a matter of the starter being misaligned as you say, It would cause problems every time you try to start it. I looked in my Haynes repair manual which covers up until 1991 > 2 and 4 wheel; drive.
Says (a) check the Pinion or Flywheel driveplate for teeth broken. Remove inspection cover on the left side of the engine to check. or
(b) Starter mounting bolts loose or missing.

Really sounds like (a) to me because when your truck stops and the starter engages where there may be few broken teeth, hence the grinding. When it stops where there are no broken teeth, no problem.
Good Luck, I just put a starter in my old 87 cause of the selenoid!

Grinding probably due to bad bendix on starter, either gear on bendix is worn, or bendix is bad and not fully engaging flywheel. Misalignment and flywheel problems are possible, but culprit is likely in starter.