Just under 2 years ago i had the problem with a grinding starter gear.I ended up replacing the starter twice and the flywheel that had 2-3 teeth grinded away.Last week it grinded it again(2 times over a week period )
Is there anything else that might be causing it to grind ?i could understand if the starter gear and/or solenoid are already gone but
how and why would the ring-gear be toast again,i thought when i replaced the last one that i would be good for the life of the truck.
I'll hit the search button when i'm done here .
Thanks in advance.

my 04 did it since new changed starter twice and dealer changed it once the flywheel is fine and it still does it once in a while more often in cold weather

mine does it to. most all do it. i really dont think you can stop it. if there is a way i would like to know how to do it. it gets annoying.

Yup mine does it to every now and again. You can replace the starter and it goes away for a little while, but it still comes back.

Good to know,thanks guys.
what i have tried lately is waiting an extra 1or2 seconds for the starter to engage ,don't know if it helps but it hasn't done it since.

my LB7 does this. i would say twice a week i get it. i have checked and re-checked the bolts and made sure it was in straight, but it still does it. ive just come to accept it, wait a few seconds and it starts right up!!

The dealer replaced my starter about a year ago. I complained about it a few times but it would never grind when they had the truck for other reasons. Finally it did it whn they had the truck & replaced the starter. It has never done it since.

I was wondering if there is enough clearence between the dirve gear & fly wheel? One could buy shims for the old trucks which I have done in the past to make tolerance. Could tolerance be the problem?

quessing the bendix doesnt come out with enough force on these starters. Mine has done it three time. Either that, or the cut on the teath of the bendix just doesnt jive with the flexplate/fly wheel.

My '05 does the same thing.

Here's more discussion....

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356097

Mine does it, and ive noticed if i turn the key and wait a whole second, but no longer, and then turn the key, it doesnt do it. Just cranking it, or letting the glow plugs go, and it will buzz. Seems to be electrical, more than mechanical.

Mine did it when new. Dealer replaced starter once, then 2 or 3 weeks later, the starter and the flex plate because it still was doing it. No problem since. Maybe your batteries are getting weak.