2.7 cold start noise help please

[szube]

I had same symptoms and pulled my starter motor, took it apart, and re-greased it. The squeal/bark disappeared. I had a normal sounding startup for awhile.

The starter squeals when the starter gets stuck and doesn't recoil fast enough into its housing after the engine starts.

Re: startup rattle - I'm beginning to think some cases of the rattle could actually be related the starter. After I greased my starter I had a normal sounding startup, but with time (6 mos) the car began rattling on cold startup - at the same conditions and for the same duration as the squeal had occurred.

My theory is that my starter is worn (original) and possibly damaged from the previous owner failing to fix the squeal. I think grease might've bought the starter more time but it is still slow to release on startup, hence the rattle. It's also possible I didn't grease it enough/use the right grease.

Edit: 2.5L