Something I read - NEVER TRIED - dating back to the old MFM Hard Drives:
It said that a common source of noise on a Hard Drive was the grounding
pad (a little beryllium-copper flat spring that held a graphite pad in
contact with the end of the main shaft that supports all the platters).

The author (Minasi?) said that as the pad wore, it changed its resonant
point, and caused the noise when it started to resonate.  He suggested
damping the vibration by putting a dab of RTV rubber or the like on the
OUTSIDE of the pad only - keep it out of the moving parts.  After a few
years, it may dry out and fall off.

As long as the problem is not a failing bearing, the only damage caused by
the noise would be to your nerves.  ;-)

I suspect that this is "old news", but I hope this helps.

Boyd Ramsay

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