Squealing Starter

[braappn]

Hello - Engine is Mercury 50 ELPT, year 2013, serial 1C266632. The starter makes a horrible squealing noise, and is getting worse/louder. Despite the noise, the starter operates as it should and cranks strong and fast. The engine only has about 70 hours on it, I bought it recently with 50 hours.

Seems like I should just replace the starter or have it rebuilt? Any chance there is something more going on here? It looks simple enough to swap out but I hesitate to touch it before asking around, since I don't know much about these things. The engine doesn't seem old enough for the starter to be worn out?

Battery is brand new. I did recently change up the wiring and add an on/off switch to the positive lead. The wiring wasn't really extended and shouldn't have voltage drop, but I haven't done any electrical testing. The ground from the starting battery is also connected to a common ground with my house system, but nothing else is connected to the starting battery.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.
Greg

[Bob]

Was it squealing prior to your additions ie switch and wiring. Don't understand the house system common ground statement

[EuropeanAM]

Probably a bearing or bushing in the starter. While you could carry it in to a local starter shop, I suspect you will end up replacing it. Relatively simple to install.

[braappn]

Thank you guys. The noise is certainly sounds like it could be a worn bearing or bushing. I think I will go ahead and just replace it myself. I was just uncertain because I thought the engine was new enough that it shouldn't be worn out.

Not too sure about if it made noise before my work, since I just used it once last fall and did all the work over the winter. It may have been faint and getting worse over time.