Not sure how to describe this noise... noisy pump?

Not really sure how to describe this noise except it sounds like a hydraulic pump. I am waiting to get my super long screwdriver to use it as a stethoscope but figured I ask here in cased someone has already fixed something like this before. It sounds like it is coming from the passenger side area kind of in the power steering area. I did try to flush the PS fluid, while the fluid is nice and red now the noise is still there. Noise does not change with using the steering wheel either, but it does change with engine RPM.

Until I get time to troubleshoot and really dig into this anyone know what this could be?

 

Alternator about to go bad? Air conditioning belt? Im not sure, it sounds like a belt or component is rotating and vibrating. Bot really sure , sorry i cant help more

 

My first thoughts are serpentine belt tensioner pully and or idler pulley, my second thought would be alternator going bad.

Your super long screwdriver will tell the tale, using a mechanic's stethoscope would of been my advice to track where the noise is coming from, the screwdriver works just as well, just not as flexible.

 

Pulley bearings would be my first guess. Knowing your year & mileage would be helpful.

 

Apologies, its a 2004 4Runner 2WD, 180K. I have a brand new belt and upper and lower idler pulleys waiting to be installed, if that fixed I will be very happy. Better than the alternator or the power steering pump.

 

Take the belt off. Have someone start the car and run it for say 30 seconds. then you can stand outside and listen.

If you don't hear the noise, then it is one of the pulleys that the belt is on.
Try spinning the tensioners, pulleys, alternator, cooling fan, etc... You might hear something odd.

 

That is the plan for this weekend, spend some quality time with the 4Runner lol.

 

Just to update everyone... put on a new serpentine belt new lower idler pulley and one upper puller (the one by the power steering pump) and the noise is now gone! Glad it was not the power steering pump or anything bigger. For some reason Rockauto sent me two lower instead of two upper pulleys, so as soon as that is fixed the idler on the driver side by the tensioner will get replaced as well. It is not making noise yet, however the bearing feels worn out.

Now on to figure out which wheel rear wheel bearing is bad. Project "Ole Silver" continues.

 

Passing on some good advice I was given about this. If the 12-and-6 wiggle test doesn’t indicate an issue, get an automotive stethoscope (less than $10 at Amazon). Put the probe on the spindle outside where the bearing is and spin the wheel. You should hear grinding or crunching if the bearing is bad.

It appears mine are good and the noise I was hearing was a stuck caliper. Fixed that yesterday.

 

He's saying it's a rear wheel bearing, the wiggle test doesn't work so well for the rears, up and down will be about the only way to test for play.

 

My though (in order to eliminate any driveline noise/fell) is to actually take the shaft out and spin the bearing by hand and check for play that way. Hoping I can pull it out enough not to have to take the drum parking brake apart and lift by the rear axle in hopes to move all the diff fluid to the opposite side and reduce the amount that come out. All this is hypothetical of course, come this weekend we will see how it goes. I have a mechanics stethoscope however even with the rear in the air and trans in neutral not sure how much other noise it will pick up.