Bearings going out?!

[97Stroker54]

When my truck is running it sounds like someone is shaking a can of coins or pebbles! A bearing is going out in something but I dont know what? I took my belt off and turn everything I could and the only thing that makes any noise is the power steering pump and it have forward and backward play in it. Should I replace something else first that is less expensive even tho there not making noise? Something like the Idler pulley or the tensioner? Any thoughts would be good!

[Chop]

I had 96 F350 psd and the idle pulley bearing went south.I replaced the tensioner also because it had become misaligned.It is impossible to hear bearings going bad on the psd when they are running as we all know .Did you check your alternator bearing while the belt was removed?

[97Stroker54]

I spun it and didnt really hear anything it sounded smooth but everything is internal so I really dont now what it is?

[Chop]

Harmonic balancer?

[97Stroker54]

Is that internal to the motor or on the belt system?

[AD5GB]

Did you run the truck with the belt off to see if the noise went away?

[97Stroker54]

Can you run the truck without the belt? I thought that was kind of a key part considering it turns everything the motor needs to run.

[AD5GB]

You can for a short time.... long enough to see if you still have the noise or not. You won't have power brakes or steering (obviously) but you don't need to drive it to listen for the noise.

[Chop]

The harmonic balancer is a fancy word for the crankshaft pulley.Pulley is set in some kinda rubber,helps with vibration.Sometimes the bond between pulley and crank shaft end goes.Loose torque convertor bolts will make alot of racket too.Just throwing ideas out there for you.And yes you can run engine with out belt,keep in mine the water pump is not turning either

[97Stroker54]

Alright well then I stand corrected lol I will take the belt off and see what I hear then! thanks