Alternator tapping/noise?

[NIKwoaC]

I hate diagnosing noises. I've worked around loud machines for too long and I think I'm mostly tone deaf to tapping/whining/squealing/whatever.

Anyway, I believe my alternator has begun making a tapping noise. I ran the car with the belt off and the noise was gone, and I did the screwdriver to the ear trick and narrowed it down to the alternator.

I'm not having any charging issues, so the alternator is at least working, just apparently not working quietly.

Is it common for the bearings to fail and make this noise?

 

[2000xp8]

Ya, it happens to alternators. I know the sound all too well, and it's pretty damn annoying.