Have some irritating whistling sound coming from the altenator. Any suggestions if this is fixable without replacing that damn thing already? Only have 40k miles on this '00 SSEI.

Are you positive it isn't the belt whistling when coming around that pulley? If you got time, take the belt off and swap it around (how do you explain that? oh well hope you get the idea) and see if that helps.

Reason I ask, I put a Goodyear Gatorback belt on both my trucks and both whistled after a while. Pat

Do you live in a really dusty/dirty area?

Do you have a sounding rod to listen to the alternator? A long shank flat bladed screwdriver would suffice also. Be careful around the accessory belt & alt. with any type of instrument.

yes I live in a real dusty area.

I was thinking about asking the same question concerning my '01 SSEi with 55k. Over the Winter I noticed a very slight shrill whine/squeek coming from the same area when I rev the engine a bit. I thought it might be the belt (replaced with a Gatorback = no luck) although it sounds like it'* coming from the rear of the alternator when I used a stethoscope. When I replaced the belt I spun all the pulleys, SC, etc. Sounded like the rear alternator bearing was the culprit when I spun the alternator pulley. Now I'm not so sure. When I scope the SC (just replaced the nose cone about 8 months ago due to leak) it sounds like it may be coming from there, but when I listen without the scope the noise points to the rear of the alternator.

sprayed some lube onto the alternator front,-took care of it for now

If the spray took away the sound then its the bearing, start hunting for a new alternator as the bearings are non servicable.

The last time I had a whistling sound from my altenator, It was died 2 days later.

I replaced mine at 42K miles due to bearing whistle. And they aren't cheap either :(