Harddisk makes strange sounds, as if head is slipping

Hello,
My mac has been making ticking noises 6 months after I bought it. After reading the forums, it seemed that that isn't a terminal problem, and I chose not to send it in for repairs. However, every once in a while, what I assume to be the hard drive makes some sort of fluttering noise. The mac is still responsive, but it seems as if the head is slipping on the harddisk.
Any ideas what this could be?

like very very soft, very regular ping pong balls yes. I read on this forum that this model has some problems with the harddrive not being attached properly, and that the ticking was a result of this, and not an indication of hard drive failure.
The fluttering has me worried more. At first it sounded like a bug trapped in the casing, but it has been going on for too long for that to be the case.

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