Weird engine noise... used a tire iron to my ear and the other end to the water pump with the engine running, sounds like the bearing or something with the water pump is bad, sounds like metal on metal inside, going to replace it... has this happened to anyone else?

Don't remember the sound but mine went while driving - froze up and tore the belt up. Had to replace along the road.
This was around 110,000 miles. If there are alot of miles on it I would replace it now and save yourself the hassle of towing or roadside work. BTW, mine is the 3.5.

Mine is the 3.8, I plan to fix it as soon as the snow stops!