About a month ago I replaced the left front axle. During installation, the clip on the end of the axle was preventing it from sliding into the tranny. I took the clip off and squeezed it to make it smaller. Was this bad?

Anyway, the axle went in fine after that. Later, I noticed that there was a whirring noise that increased as the load increased. It kind of sounded like a supercharger noise. This noise still exists.

I have changed the tranny fluid thinking it may be the cause, but it is not. I have searched to no end for someone with a similar problem but have only found one. They said it might be the timing belt tensioner. But, if it is not the problem, I dont want to waste the extra $100 for the belt and the tensioner. What could be happening?!?