i finally thought of checking to see what the starter motor was doing so i hooked it up while it was out of the car and turned the key, the solenoid pushed out the pinion but it didn't turn does this sound like the starter motor or the thrust bearing? when the pinion is "in" it can be turned one way by hand but it can't be turned the other way is that right?

Cheers
Mike

i didn't think of that i thought the thrust bearing had seized but if that was the case the pinion wouldn't turn at all. i did get the starter to turn over after leveraging against the pinion but it only turned over a couple times slowly and then stopped

hi,

try using jumper leads and earthing the body of the motor (put yr foot on the thing) then touch the 2nd lead on the solenoid ( the one that runs into the starter body).
That will put 12v straight onto the motor. If it spins ok, the problem is in the contacts in the solenoid. If it doesnt spin, you've got bearing or brush problems..

good luck,
chris