Volvo Repair: 96 Volvo Turbo noisey AC or Power steering Pump ?, power steering pump, milages

Question
I have a noise coming from under the hood. Sounds like the AC compressor. Noise level is slightly less when AC compressor is (not much though) engaged. Then it sounds like it might be coming from the Power Steering Pump. We have already replaced water-pump, idle bearing, timing belt etc no change. Horrible sounding noise it has been this way since I bought it about a Year an a  half ago and put about 5K on it no change. Sounds like a very bad bearing.I would have thought it would have gotten worst by now. Can a Volvo AC Compressor be this noisey? How do I isolate the problem?
Thanks,
Bob  

Answer
Hello Bob,  From what you discribe,if its an 960, its the alternator bearings.Due to the fact that one belt drives all,theres no good way to eliminate one part at a time.Same case with the 850,due to the engine similarities.Repairs are only to replace the alternator because the repair parts are not released by Bosch corp. .Not an un-common event for those cars.As for those other parts you did replace that was good because time has shown that those idlers and tensioners were failing at the higher milages 140k area.Thank you and good hunting! PKD