Truck making weird noise at startup

[Low84]

What's up guys. Let's see if anybody can help me out on this one.

My truck has recently started to make a really, REALLY, harsh sound at startup. I'm talking grinding, clunking, spinning, type of sound and LOUD. People turn around from pretty far away staring with a puzzled expression. It's embarrassing to say the least.

I thought maybe it was the starter that had come loose and was making false contact. I checked it and everything seems alright.

Correct me if I'm wrong as I obviously have no clue what I'm about to say.

Does the starter engage the flywheel and spin it, to start the engine? Could it be a broken flywheel, or teeth on the flywheel that is causing all of this?

I'm pretty sure something is getting damaged real well every time I start it up, because that much noise and that loud can't mean anything good. It's only a matter of time before I get stranded somewhere.


Somebody help, please.