2000 Chevrolet Impala LS review from North America

We have had a "grinding" noise in the engine for over a year now. We took it to the dealer and they said it was the alternator. Because of a more competitive price we took the vehicle to a private garage and had the alternator replaced. Noise did not go away. We have had back to two different garages, but no one can find the problem. The noise was not there for 3 years so we know there is a problem. We went to check the steering fluid thinking that the steering was grinding, but cannot find the steering fluid reservoir! Thinking we were idiots we had two other mechanics look for it and they read the manual that came with the car, but they could not find it either!!

Stumped, any help? Standover@cox.net.

Overall we have enjoyed the vehicle when it was not in the shop. We have had this vehicle to the dealer 22 times under warranty and now it is out of warranty and we are about to give up. (We purchased the extended warranty and that was well worth it)