HVAC blower buzzing

[thebrakeman]

'06 Mountaineer Premier, with Auto Temp Control.
A moderate buzzing from under the dash when running (comes and goes). Gets higher-pitch and louder as fan speed is increased. Does not seem to change when blend controls changed, so it seems like the fan blade(s) are just barely, lightly touching something.

Is this something I can access without tearing the whole dash out?
On other cars, I've changed the cabin filter, and while removed, I could reach in and clear leaves and other debris. Is that accessible on 4th gen?

 

[Rcflyer330]

You should be able to access the fan from the passenger foot well. Its three screws and an electrical connector and the fan and motor should come out. On my 2010 explorer i had to remove the fan to remove some leaves that where stuck in the fan causing noise.