2 questions, Starter and pinion howl, 99 4X4
 

Hi guys newbie here, well thats not all true, haven't been here for a while so I forgot my username.
Purchased my silverado new and 118,000 miles later and shes giving me a few problems, Noticed it started cranking hard so I thought it was the battery it would start when the engine was cold but today it just clicks, a few days ago it did this and jump started with no problems. but it did set long enough to cool off. made sure all conections were clean, so is it the starter?
Also last month had the pinion seal replaced, NOTE: I always made sure the lube was full, but after having the seal replaced 2 to 3000 mile latter it started howling, it doesn't matter if your on the gas or off, the holwing pitch is the same could the garage have messed this up in anyway, by too much torgue on the nut. Would it be the pinoin bearings, I do appaicate the help. We were to go fishing this next week, a trip we have been planning for almost a year now, OH SO SO SAD.:mad::(:confused:

I would thoroughly check the battery before going to the starter. You will need a volt meter to check it. When the truck is off, you should read around 13v across the battery. Watch it when you hit the starter. If it drops below 8-9 volts, you have a weak battery. It may be weak because your charging system is bad. When the truck is running, you should read about 14.5V across the battery. This is the alternator output. Of course, you could always take it to AutoZone and they will check it for free. I'll let someone else address the pinion issue. Good luck.