Bearing rattle - PS, tensioner, idler, or water pump?

[stephenson]

Friend's 1999 with manual trans ... about 120K.

Light bearing rattle at lower rpm, both parked and moving - as soom as steering wheel begins to be moved, it goes away - it does not occur when steering wheel is turned to full lock in either direction. Steering feels absolutely fine with no stiffness, etc anywhere. No squealing, no whistling, etc. Just light bearing rattle.

His mech replaced the belt and the tension assembly - same exact noise - although it did go away for 20 minutes. They have and used stetheocope. Are now recommending PS pump replacement.

I listened and since didn't have even basic tools, my assessment based only on this - I swear it seem to be coming from middle area of the accessory area - more like the idler pulley to the water pump area.

If it were my car, I would remove the belt and hand spin the various pulleys to see if one felt like it could be culprit ... but, since we live several hours apart, he will end up taking it back to his mech.

What do you think?

Thanks - appreciate the help and experiences from everyone!!

[fishexpo101]

Idler pulley is known to go bad (bearing sometimes leaks out grease too), would be one of the ones I'd have a look at.

I agree - easiest way is to pull the belt off and turn all the pulleys by hand to find the noisy one. As it could be more than one pulley giving him problems.

[stephenson]

Thanks fishexpo1 ... I can't imagine that his indie mech could have missed something that obvious, but it's what I think, too.

Do you think could be PS pump? No leaks, no stiffness, noise sounds rythmic with a very slight clack ... sounded just like a dry bearing to me.