Smog/Oxygen pump making strange noise

Is it really necessary? Someone told me I could just take the belt off of it and it wouldn't affect anything ; that it was just an emissions component? Is this ok to do? 1991 Ram w/ 5.2 318

i have removed the belt off of other vehcles thet used V belts and it was all good. and ya its only for emmisions as far as i know. I'd bypass it before replacing it myself cuz they r pretty pricey.

We have a 91 with 5.2 also, and the air pump has always made some racket. No grinding or anything though.

You should be able to purchase a rebuilt unit at a parts store. In an emission area you won't get a tag without one. You can also go to a scrap yard and look for a rebuilt unit.