I thought was hearing a recognizable sound coming right side engine compartment, sounded like a turbo charger winding up, problem is I don't have a turbo. At first I thought it might be power steering pump, but after closer examination it appears to be the alternator bearings singing for me. I put a sounding rod up on the frame of the alt. and it definitely sounds like the bearings. I put two alternators on the old Bonnie in the first two years of ownership. Any other guys experience alternator bearing failure new Bonnevilles? I think the oem alts are just not made that well, or does it have something to do with the "Mr. Goodwrench" program? You catching my drift?
markwb

I just did mine at 80k miles. It'* funny how some fail early, and some don't. Mine was the rear bearing. Yours too? I really wish we could find out if it'* load factors, poor design, off-axis torque mounting, or whatever. All I can say is that you've been though it before, so get a good warranty on the next one!

Thanks for the reply. I was wrong on the alternator. This morn. when pulling out of drive way I'm hearing a loud noise (power steering pump loading) then noticed oil spots on driveway. When I looked under the car the whole right side frame member & right side of front stabilizer are oil soaked. Flex hoses on power steering pump oil soaked also. I checked the fluid level in reservoir on power steering, and can't even get any indication of a level. But having said all that I still have to keep watch on the alternator. It is possible that I have two probs here. There'* no doubt that the power steering system is on the brink, that gets first attention.

markwb :?

My whining alt is still alive and when it smokes I will slap in one of my performance units. The company who builds my Alternators told me the Gm unit we use has a rear bearing issue and they are not made for the application they are used for. There fore they can often fall apart. Other times you get lucky and they last for years and years.

Ty

The cheapest solution is the one Will mentioned, which is to rout cool Air over it. Easy and cheap.

Ty

Aha! There IS a rear bearing issue with these things! Thanks Ty!

My car is still waiting for the DP alternator. I have a cheapo to get by in the meantime, but I'd really still like to figure out WHY there'* a rear bearing prob. Cooling it some will extend the lifetime, but in the long run it'* probably much better to just change to something better.

I had the same exact thing going on with my Bonne. My alt worked great but it sounded like I had a turbo. I think its kewl, I got stopped becuase people wanted to see it but I told them its my alt bearing and then they usualy laughed. Its all in good fun. I just bought a new alt from my local parts store for 55 bucks and it works great and doesnt sound like I have a turbo.