[V8] Cat wheezing starter

[Mark Kalbskopf]

Every 3 months or so, I would turn the key and instead of cranking  
over, I would get this wheezing sound like a cat who's eaten too much  
grass.
A couple of tries later and the engine would crank over like normal.
Now this is happening every other day so I guess my time is running out.
Is this the pinion on the starter wearing out or what?

(I don't want to hear it's my flywheel!!)

Mark.
90 V8
188,000 miles