Growl from fanbelt area

[bodine465]

My wife's 95 Explorer has developed a growl from under the hood which has become gradually louder. It's a dead bearing kind of sound that stops when I remove the belt. While off, I spun the idler and tensioner pullies, but neither felt very rough. The fan clutch did feel kinda rough, but I couldn't tell if that's the clutch portion or the bearing. No overheating or water leaks, so I'm assuming it's not the pump. No change in noise when the A/C clutch is engaged or disengaged.
Any of these items more common for replacement? Suggestions?

 

[dman726749]

my best guess would be fan clutch, they seem to be a common problem

 

[pavil58se]

Just last month the idler pully let go on my 96' Sport. It literally flew off while at highway speed. :roll: It had been making a light grinding, actually a whirring noise, for quite awhile. Upon inspection the bearings were all burned and or missing. Give that part a look-see. I got a replacement at Advance Auto for about $10.00. HTH. p58