Freelander 1 Very lazy slow starter motor

Evening.

Have just purchased a '99 2.0 Diesel Freelander that needs a bit of love. The starter motor is very slow and doesn't always start the engine, if you don't get it started on the first few attempts it gets slower and slower each time you use it until nothing happens. It then needs a rest for an hour or so until you can have another go.

If the car fails to start the unit is quite warm and so is the large cable leading to/from it. Does this point to a dead/dying starter motor or do you think I can get away with one of the rebuild kits?

Just noticed this on Ebay, as far as I can tell LRT00105 is a compatible unit?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311392964557

Many thanks.

Check all your live and earth connections, the lead getting hot is more suspect than the starter, also has the battery got enough cranking amps? ( tired or too small perhaps) try charging overnight, or go with a jump start straight off to see if it makes a difference

+1 on the battery, if you don't know how old it is, replace it. Mike

Remove the starter motor and change the contact and plunger, take a look at this thread in the link below, I have changed a few on the R40 and I also changed mine on my TD4 as a precaution, by the time each car as reached 75,000 to 85,000 these will need doing, Arctic2

http://www.75ztcommunity.co.uk/starter-motor-repair-kit-diesel-t8916.html

Check battery leads, replace battery, replacing the starter solenoid contacts last.

Thanks all. Battery is now off and on charge (it doesn't look that old, but could be broken), lead from the battery and on the starter motor seemed well attached when removing, will grease on replacement.
I will refit the charged battery, if no different I will use a secondary battery and some jump leads. If still no different I will invest in a starter motor refurb kit.

I assume the starter motor is earthed by its case, as there is only the +ive and spade connector?

All fixed. Charged battery and jump leads using another battery made no difference. New starter motor fitted and works like a dream. Fires up first time every time. I will take the old unit apart at some point and see what the issue was, maybe fit a repair kit and keep as a spare.

Thanks again for the help.