So earlier today I was out driving my jeep off doing a few short trips, i came home and parked it. I go to start it and get a nasty grinding noise from the starter (I believe). I was going to try and tap it with a hammer but couldn't find the starter. I'm thinking the starter is going out, any second opinions?

If you're sure it is coming from the starter, not much left to do but replace it. Not that inexpensive and not a difficult job.

Alright, thanks . Also, someone told me it could be the flywheel but when a flywheel is missing some teeth it usually starts after a few tries right?

Passenger side. Lift the truck enough to get under. There are two or three wire connections and to bold connection. I think an 8mm, 10mm, 13/14mm, if not then a 5/16, 3/8 and a 1/2 or 5/8 will be needed. Havent changed one in about 2 years. But the Bendix drive on the starter might be going. The Solenoid pushes the bendix drive that shoves the spinning get on a collar to the flywheel. Problem is, the operation of the bendix drive gets dirty, heats up and scorches or some type of malfunction. When that happens, you have to rebuild it. They dont sell the parts for it anymore. So, replace it.

Disconnect the battery first.

YEAH! I forgot to add that. Even though I dont do that when I work on it. But yeah, disconnect it.

I got under there earlier today, and saw one of the bolts was missing that mounts the starter to the transmission. I haven't been able to get another bolt yet but i believe that could be the issue. I'm thinking it came loose and wasn't catching on the flywheel and was making a grinding noise. I'm a little worried that i might have knocked some teeth off the flywheel though because i tried to start it 4-5 times with it grinding like that.

I think one is loner than the other. If you can get the threads right, you can get a new one from Autozone or Sears.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=898354_0_0_

Parts #: 45639 at autozone. Universal bolts. Oh, that's in the Self Help section.

I really appreciate the help Dre, and Blue. If it still grinds once I replace the bolt i guess ill try the earlier solution you mentioned Dre. Thanks again guys, ill post back with some results. Oh, and thanks to you aswell Tj

Yea when I bought my jeep the previous owners had the bolts switched around and it made a grinding noise. The metal there is soft so it was easy for them to keep screwing the longer bolt into the metal. Check your bolts.

Got it fixed guys! it was the bolt. Thanks for all the help.