Fan noises can be annoying, but not all noises are indicative of a defect. Noises like rattling, rubbing, and grinding are usual indicators of bad bearings. There are a couple of tips that may alleviate the noises from fans:
• Reseat the fan, do not over tighten the mounting fan screws (this can affect the efficacy of the vibration pads)
• Mount the fan by tightening down the screws in a criss cross pattern (uneven mounting can cause slight tweaks to the frame and promote rubbing)
• Make sure there are no obstructions in the way of moving parts.
If the noises persist, there is a strong possibility that the fan does have defective bearings.