I am sure I am not the only LC owner on a budget and scramble for blood pressure pills when I think about replacing my smog pump. At the request of my neighborhood I have removed my pump and taken it apart. The noise is from these thin strips of metal that were apparently forcing some sort of carbide metal strips against the vanes of the pump. I assume to help create air pressure in the housing. The bearing appear fine but the carbide strips are, well, dust. I have only 3 out of 6 and the three I have are clearly worn down. I have checked hte archives and noone mentions there little strips. HELP!