Half the time when I try to start my car my starter just grinds and grinds making a horrible sound. If I keep trying it will eventually start the engine. This happened suddenly after several years of problem free starts.

I pulled it out and the gear is in good shape. The flywheel is also undamaged. This leads me to believe something is not pushing the gear out all the way, or with enough force. Is it time for a new starter or can I service this?

 

Well starters can be surviced as long as you can get the parts for it but its uisually not worth it unless your going to rebuild the whole thing. Although it kinda sounds like its just out of alingment causeing the gears not to mesh well. Thats assumeing the teeth on the flywheel and the teeth on the starter are in fact in good shape ofcourse. I mean if the bolts werent 100% tight on the starter as things do have a tendency to lossen up over the years that would put the starter out of alignment. I would make sure everything moves freely and if it is try just re-installing it. I would also try adding a shim under the starter and see how it goes.

 

Do you know its definitely the starter grinding or a loud clicking noise?

If its more of the clicking sound make sure the battery terminals are tight.

Otherwise it sounds like the solenoid could be shot or starter is misaligned.

Check the alignment first. then by a solenoid.

 

Might be best at this point to just replace it. The starter drive could be bad, or it could be the solenoid. Either one can cause the motor to spin before its really engaged and grind badly. Its possible its not aligned as well, make sure your bolts are tight and see if you can check the fit. Its hard to do on the car though, esp. with the solenoid in place. Usually when its misaligned you'll hear the gear hit the flexplate/flywheel before it spins.

 

one other thing i thought of was to make sure ur battery is charged all the way.

but it sounds more like the solenoid than anything.