Occasionally when I go to start the car you can hear the starting gear spinning and trying to start the motor but it must not be kicking out to grab the flywheel to turn it. So far I have been able to just keep trying and eventually it will kick out and grab the flywheel and turn the car over. This is not the typical "click click" issue where the starter does grab the flywheel and just doesnt turn.

Do you thinking I may be able to take apart the starter and fix the issue inside, or do you think I would be better off just locating a replacement?

Also, while the starter is out I plan to inspect the flywheel for broken/missing teeth as well.

 

Replace it. Quick, easy and you can take it back where you got it from if it has another problem soon.

 

Replacing it is easy enough, but if I can fix it for free or little money than why not? Especially since I am in between jobs right now and wont start my new job for at least a week.

 

Sounds like the overrun clutch is gone and the pinion gear needs replacing. Last time I checked with my Mitsu stealership they wouldn't sell me the individual parts and I had to buy a reconditioned starter ~$220 with core return

Looks like this:

Overrun clutch and pinion gear is #2.

 

The only fix is to get a new starter.

 

OK then. I know some of the starter issues people were having that they were actually about to take it apart and clean it and smooth down some burrs or something somewhere. But I wasnt sure if it was for a similar issue and couldnt find the thread where they were talking about it again.

Guess I will start calling around to price out a starter.