Replaced Flywheel now sounds different when starts
 

2000 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 had the flywheel crack. Had it replaced. Starts fine but has a grinding type noise when starting. Is this normal when the flywheel is replaced? I realize it's an old starter on new flywheel...

pinion Gear on the starter is probably worn out and is slipping every few teeth on the flywheel. pull it out and check.

The new flywheel probably has taller and thicker teeth on it since it is new, and god knows how many starts on it. I would replace the starter in-case your teeth on your old starter are bad. If the new starter makes a noise, you might have to shim the starter.

5 months later it still sounds rough when starting. I did install a new starter after the flywheel and that did not help. The shop that replaced the flywheel spent hours working on it and was never able to make the starting sound smooth like original. They just told me "it'll wear in and is fine".

Anyway 5 months later it now will sometimes take 2 trys to start it. The firts release of the starter and it will not start. the second time it starts fine. Does not do it everytime just occassionally. I am associating this with the flywheel. The flywheel was new -- anyway a wrong flywheel will fit on the 4.0L?