I had the same problem with my '09. Dealer said it was the bearing. So they replaced the motor but also told me it might happen again even with the new motor. And wouldn't ya know it. About a month after they replaced it I started hearing that great ticking sound.
Your probably right. Good thing I no longer have that truck. Let someone else deal with it.Dealer probably just banged some pots and pans while he drank a beer and pretended to change your blower motor. That's why he was so sure the same noise would come back.