i was driving to work today, and when i stopped to fill up i head some awful grinding noise before i headed back on the road, noticing alot of cranes around, i figured construction. but i found out when i got to work, it was actually me. i opened the hood up, and on the passenger side where the belts are, there is a cylindrical looking piece that is loose, and it is grinding against the pulleys and sparking.

some other things i have noticed: when i accelerate, the grinding goes away, but i hear a whistling noise, not a squeal but a whistle.

what i have done recently: less than a week ago i had all 4 of my belts replaced, after the amount of time it took the shop to do it, 8 hours, i am thinking they didn't do the job right, does anyone have an idea what this loose piece may be? and if so, could a botched belt job the culprit? if it is something else about how much would it cost to repair?

-thanks,
ross