Car running as well as its ever done (idle, acceleration etc) but there is one annoying thing. Most often when cold (e.g. first start of the day) there is an intermittent , and I don't know how to describe it, grind, crunch,catch, something as the starter motor spins. Most often the car still starts but sometimes the starter seems to bog down and it needs another key turn to get it going. Most often when this occurs, after the car is running, if I turn off and start again it doesn't happen.

All belts are good, harmonic balancer visually looks OK. So I'm thinking starter solenoid or starter. Trying to avoid having to struggle with the starter motor top bolt unless I have to since it sounds difficult. Any way to narrow in on the problem? Other suggestions?