My starter groans sometimes

[rabbitman]

In the MK2 golf, usually does it when it's working extra hard like if the engines cold. I replaced the shaft bushing but it didn't fix it.

FWIW this is a gear reduction starter with all the little planetaries. It seems weak too, especially when it starts groaning.

[burn_your_money]

Do you have good cables going to it? The ground right under one of the mounting bolts?

[rabbitman]

Do you have good cables going to it? The ground right under one of the mounting bolts?

Yup I have big fat cables on it, idk what gauge they are but they're probably half inch diameter.

The ground is under one of the big bell housing bolts which I figured would be as good as under a starter bolt.

I bought a new battery today and it cranked waaaay faster and longer than before but it still makes that weird groaning sound sometimes.