It's like a crunching noise mixed with gring of metal

 

If the crunching and grinding is coming from the starter area, I would suggest it is not lining up properly. Check and make sure you have not broken or lost a bolt and that it is indeed hitting straight. If the noise is coming from other than the starter, stop until you can get an idea of what it may be.

 

Yea I think your right it sounds like it's coming from the starter area

 

these starters are Gear reducted , its most likley the gearing in the starter and your starter is most likley shot

 

Yea my starter took a **** on me

 

I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago, at least they are relatively long lasting in these ones. I had a Suburban that ate them like candy .

 

go to the Larry B's web site .... they have multiple parts for the starters ..

Larryb - LarryB's Cummins & Dodge Denso Starter COMPLETE rebuild kit 94-06


and its not real difficult to accomplish ... a decent work bench and a vise is real handy but can be done on the tail gate if need be ..

 

And do not continuously crank the starter, 30 sec crank max then 2-3 minutes cool down or certain started death will occur!

 

Dezeldoc is right .. 30 seconds .. I tell anyone 5 min .. just cause ..