Starter grinding
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3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
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Starter grinding
I’ve got a 99 F350 7.3. Starter went out so I picked up one from Napa and made sure it was exact same as the old starter and installed it. Hooked the batteries up and started it and there was a grinding noise for less than a second and cleared up so I didn’t think anything of it and I let the truck idle a few minutes as it’s been sitting for a couple days. Then threw it in drive and gave a little throttle and a horrible grinding noise came from underneath and immediately shut it off. Stupid me then tried it again and backup a couple feet and made the same horrible grinding noise so immediately shut it down and that’s where it’s sat. There was no shims on old starter so I would think I shouldn’t need them with this one. Any help at would be helpful cause the noise was horrible and I hope didn’t cause more damage.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
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Never made any noise at all and ran beautifully before changing to the starter from Napa. I’m pulling the Napa starter tomorrow and checking the fly wheel and putting a different new starter on it if the flywheel looks fine and go from there I guess. Just was looking for some insight if anyone else has had this problem.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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Yeah best thing to do is pull the started and bench-test it, along with looking at the flex plate/flywheel (depends if you have automatic or manual) to make sure you didn't damage any teeth. Make sure the pinion is extending/retracting as expected.
If it checks out, you may need shims to get the spacing right - not all starters do. Shouldn't take much if you do need some.
If it checks out, you may need shims to get the spacing right - not all starters do. Shouldn't take much if you do need some.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
After 5 NAPA starters in 2.5 years (30 years ago), I installed a OEM factory starter in my '87 Land Cruiser and it was far quieter and never needed subsequent replacement. To NAPA's credit, they gave me 'cash back' on the original price (oddly, $50 more than I paid for an OEM starter at the dealer).
'Nuff said about NAPA remans.
'Nuff said about NAPA remans.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
I've had better experiences with Autozone and O'Reilly starters on these trucks than I have anywhere else. I don't get anything critical from Advance Auto Parts because they make it difficult to get things warrantied. You have to take it back to the store you bought it from otherwise it's a lot of red tape.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,645
I've had better experiences with Autozone and O'Reilly starters on these trucks than I have anywhere else. I don't get anything critical from Advance Auto Parts because they make it difficult to get things warrantied. You have to take it back to the store you bought it from otherwise it's a lot of red tape.
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