starter making f-d up noises

[get_up_mark]

tonight i notice after starting my car the starter grinds and makes horrible sounds. i think it might be going. anyone know. i cant check it out till daylight

[Kenrik]

Grinding is not good don't want to mess up your flywheel I would pull the starter have a visual try having someone turn the key when it is out and hooked up see what happens. mine shot sparkes out :O it's really easy to replace on a 240 takes about 5min to take it off and 5min to put it back

[240DRFT]

are u hearing a goose like sound?

[Mikoriad]

I just had a similar prob. My starter began making that horrible, gear grinding noise from time to time. In a couple days of hearing that the first time, it gave out. Turns out the part of the starter that covers most of the gear broke off. I hit the junk yard and got a used start of an old 240. It's a pain to reach the two bolts holding it on at first, but once you figure how to twist and contort your arms it's a cake walk. Paid 14 dollars for a used started from a junkyard. For you info, you can use the starter off any 240, 89-98, sohc, dohc, doesn't matter. I say goto the junkyard pull one first, to get an idea of how to get it out, and then replace your bad one. For me (first time replacement) it took a total of about 45 mins to remove and install, that 14 dollars was all I paid. I think you can also use the starter off the first gen altimas.

[hot_waxx]

How do you take the starter off? I'm trying right now and I can't get to the top bolt.

[Mikoriad]

Yeah, that's the only part that can be a pain. You just have to figure a way to twist your arms around to reach that bolt. It can be done. By the way, I used a socket wrench with no exstention. When I took the starter off I put the socket and wrench on the bolt from under the car, then I went up top and wrenched out the bolt. You'll just have to keep trying until you figure out how to reach it. Once you do get that bolt off, the starter will basically fall out. Then you have to disconnect the battery, ground wire, and also one connector. Good luck

[get_up_mark]

yeah i ended up changing my starter but that second bolt was never in there so i only put back the one. as far i know my car has had 1 bolt in it since i had the trans out and all seems fine with the one bottom bolt. i had a new bolt made but i havent gotten around to putting it in yet.