Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Chris,
... ... ..... One thing Larry ask me was did I have a diesel leak. Yes I did, very small, but it drip on to the started and helped wear the brushes. I fix the leak too.
Cary
I too had a fuel leak/weap from the top of the fuel filter head and decided to fix that just in case that was a contributing factor (I'm sure it didn't help). Its been 3 months and the starter looks like the day it went in, no oily residue on it and is still working like new.
If you suspect a ground issue, I'd look there first. My cables were fine, but the ends were tore up from being taken on/off and cleaned etc. that they could no longer clamp the posts and were beginning to split/tear at the bolt from try to over tighten them. The military style clamps completely eliminate this situation and can be had from McMaster-Carr for cheap ($5 a piece I think?) and as a bonus, if your cables are in good shape there should be enough slack to simply replace the ends at the battery and not have to replace the entire cable.
If in doubt about the starter, yank it out have it load tested. It will be painfully obvious if yours is dead or dieing.
Chris
