Gday,

I've had a type of grinding noise in my 98 TF ever since I bought the car, roughly 6 months ago, I finally decided to try fix this noise as it sounds quite harsh at times and is very anoying. Listening around the engine bay with a large screw driver pressed against my ear and touching various parts with other end, I discovered the noise to be worst with screw driver on alternator (didnt try AC comp itself). So any way I whipped the alternator/AC compressor belt off and the noise was gone.

I tried spinning both by hand to listen for noises and grinding feelings etc, and the alternator seems fine, but the AC comp makes an audible noise as it is turned, hence Im 99% sure its the AC comp that is the source of my noise.

My guess is thats its a bad bearing, but Im also guessing that it could be possible that the clutch system for turning the AC comp on and off isn't fully disengaging, thus grinding and making the ill noise. Has any one ever had this problem with their AC before, or know wether or not it is possible to simply replace AC comp bearing/s or entire clutch system? Im thinking of ringing a few places such as car AC specialists and general mechanics just to see what they say, possible fixes and prices etc. But anyway, if any one has ever had this problem and fixed it please let me know, as this noise is driving me crazy, and I can't exactly drive round with no alternator belt, or could I :think: .

Thanks in advance.

does the noise go away when you turn on your AC?

This could answer your 'half engaged' clutch theory.

Sound is all gone :D .

I pulled the outer part of the pulley off, the part which the belt straps on to, checked it out, bit dirty so I cleaned it up a bit all looked fine though. Had a close look at the remaining clutch setup, and in between to contact surfaces where the outer pulley spun and the inner part did not when the clutch was not engaged, I packed a tiny bit of hi-temp grease in there, is was more out of frustration then anything, as I didn't really think it would do anything. Anyway after that I put it all back together, whipped the belt back on and retensioned it, started the car up and the noise was no more. SO it was either the small amount of grease I packed in there, stopping the noise, or before hand the belt just wasn't tight enough, some how causing the noise, either way though its gone so Im once again a happy camper :D .

niceee :D atleast ur alternator didnt *** up like mine :(

']niceee :D atleast ur alternator didnt *** up like mine :(

Yeah I was a bit concerned about that, as a working alternator is kinda mandatory to driving your car, and they aren't the cheapest things to replace, even the bearigs can be pretty pricey.