What are the signs that the starter motor is on it's way out?
I think my starter motor isn't disengaging properly and i kinda get a loud crunch noise when starting the car, and also it can take 5-6 clicks to get the car started. Was gonna post this in the 2nd gen forums but figured all starter motors would be pretty similar?
Car is a 1991 TR 2.6L 4 cylinder :).

my old TP did the whole wouldnt start all the time on me and then occasionaly once the car had started it would make the loud grinding crunching noise

That is your solenoid on your starter - get it rebuilt as it wrecks the bearings on the starter motor and strips the teeth off your flywheel (very ugly).

The solenoid pulls the shaft of the starter motor into position, and provides power (also works like a bigass relay) to the starter motor.

When they get worn, they stick - there is a mongo spring that gets soft. You should be able to get a reco bosch for under $200.

Cheers
Heath Young

extra to what Heath said...
in the TR 4cyl starter there is a planetery gear set between the elec motor and the drive pinion (that engages the flywheel). the outer gear that holds the planetry gears together is mounted to the starter output shaft and is made of plastic.
This plastic outer gear often cracks and cause the problems you are describing.
The same Bosch design starters were used in similar age Falcons and Commodore

If this is the problem and you can repair the starter motor yourself, then the replacement part can be bought from an auto electrician for about $30, otherwise your up for a replacement starter.

Cool cheers guys!
Is there anyway i can check to see if it's cracked easily?
What are the physical signs i should look for on the starter motor?

you wont be able to see it without taking it off.

AstronII starter is a real ***** to get to,
its located where driver's toes point to. :)

if i remember correctly its actually right under the drivers side of the intake plenum, on the top of the housing.

Just an update peoples,
My mechanic had a look today and this is what he said...

...Something about 2 gears, the starter motor has a clutch or something that is slipping and causing the little gear on the starter motor to "jerk" the big gear, and he said that this can cause one of the teeth on the big gear to snap off if you dont get it fixed, which he said is very expensive and you need to take out the transmission to replace the big gear (he may have said O ring???). Now what i wanna know is it possible to replace this "clutch"? I asked him and he said it wasn't worth it as parts were about $90 and i'd be better off just getting a change over reco for about $150?
What do you guys think?

Ok another update,

After replacing the starter motor the car fired up beautifully and the starter motor really wants to engage. That was a few months ago, now it's back firing slow and crunching again just these last few days, is it possible something is killing my starter motor?