Ok, so my old starter crapped out (bendix would no longer move forward). I got a new one from O'Reilly's and installed it. I have a 4 speed by the way. Well when starting it would make a grinding noise but eventually start. I'm getting two different solutions: 1- I need to shim the starter. And 2- put a automatic trans starter in instead of the standard. Please help me out if you have any ideas or solutions!

 

Id pull the starter out and look at the teeth

 

You should take it back to oreily and have them test it the same exact thing happened to me and they found that the starter was defective

 

I did take it back to O'Reillys and they tested it and it was good. I went ahead and exchanged it for a automatic transmission starter, installed it and it fired on the first try. With no grinding!!!! Don't no why it worked, but I'm just happy it does.