[nate13]

Finally Solved!

I know this is a while in the making but I finally ordered the part and was able to install it.

It WAS actually the alternator clutch pulley. Mine was pretty stuck on there and I had ordered the wrong tool at first, so it took longer than expected.

First, I ordered the Bosch tool that was posted in the N54 pulley install on here. The Spline tool was right, even though I had a Valeo alternator I thought theres no way they would have different hardware just for the shear burden on on the maintenance at the dealers...I found out quickly to not assume that anymore. The bosch tool uses a 12 spline anchor socket, my car used a standard T50 Torx. The spline socket that comes with the bosch tool fits though. So I ordered This: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This T50 was long enough to fit the splined socket and short enough that I didn't have to worry about fan harness removal (although it wasn't that hard) Also, I used a 17mm wrench on the splined socket, but I needed to but a 1 1/4 pipe to slip over the wrench to get enough torque to loosen it.

If you too have a Valeo Alternator: I believe you can order the spline socket on ebay by itself and order the T50 on amazon and come it at around the cost of the posted BOSCH tool.

Either way, its done now. Sound referenced above is gone. I will repost if it comes back.

Thanks all for your help!

[Three_thirty_I]

Wow, glad to hear that you got this sorted out!! Will have to keep this in mind if mine starts to become noisy like this.