Pulley/bearings noise

[Cpl Dirk Hradec]

So a couple of days ago shortly after my wife drove off to do some photography, she calls me and says the X is making a "new" noise. She swaps vehicles and goes on with her day.... I get home and there is a rapid "chirping" sound coming from front of the engine on the passenger side. I figure it is likely either the idler pulley or the power steering. After loosening the belt, I notice a little wiggle in the idler pulley so I replaced it. When I first started the engine up no squeak, but it came back, a little lower in tone, after about five minutes. I'm hoping someone out there can give me a little advice on where to look next. The water pump pulley seemed pretty solid. This isn't hard work, I'd just rather spend my time doing something else.

FWIW, the belts a fairly new (less than two years old) and the power steering pump was replaced around three months ago.

 

[Prime]

Bearing noise that you've eliminated the idler pulley, maybe the alternator?

 

[Cpl Dirk Hradec]

Even though the alternator is on the driver's side, that is the next suspect. I sort of figured I'd end up pulling all the belts before I was done with this.