Anyone had to replace their starter lately?

Mine started clashing every now and then, so I went ahead and replaced it at 52K miles - I have no desire to pull the trans to replace a tore up flywheel from a bad starter. I know it's an electrical/mechanical component, and they croak whenever they feel like it. Just kinda disappointed me, my dad's '97 5.4 2V has 180K-something on it with the original starter.

 

Just replaced mine today, it was the original, 273,000km on the truck, 300 I6. All day it seemed like my battery was losing it's charge 'til finally, no dice, had the local mechanic out to our driveway, and he checked my voltages, turns out starter is pooched, so he asks me if i have some wrenches, has me pull it off, while he pops out to get one to replace it.