Alright, so I'm trying to remove my AC clutch assembly, and there's a piece in side the clutch that screws into the assembly over the main shaft that the clutch sits on. It looks like this: There is threading on the outside of it, and the holes on the inside have no threading. The center hole is where the end of the shaft comes through where the bolt goes on. My question is this: how in the world do I twist that friggin thing out? I've tried putting small screwdrivers and screws into the holes and trying to pry it out, but all I accomplished was breaking 2 screw drivers and bending some screws I had this brilliant idea of getting a U-bolt and putting it in there and then twisting it out by putting a screwdriver/bar inside of the U-bolt and twisting, but Home Depot doesnt sell them small enough. On monday I'm going to go up to the Nissan dealership and see if they'll lend me a tool (if they even have one), but if anyone has any ideas before then, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Greg

 

Greg

So that's what this tool is for in my tool box. I made this tool out of an old cheap 3/8" drive socket. Drill and tap 2 holes on the back side of the socket and screw in 2 bolts/screw, then cut off the extra length. These 2 screw are to fit into those 2 hole on the clutch. Insert a bolt that will fit that socket and then using another socket or wrench onto that bolt, turn and it should come out. Did I make that clear?
Will its midnight now so tomorrow I'll try and repost with more information and a picture if I can figure out how to do that.

Al

 

It sounds brilliant, but I'm not getting a clear picture of it in my head of what exactly it's supposed to look like, or how the screws are supposed to fit. I might be able to drill holes through a socket, provided my drill/drill bit is strong enough for it. A picture would certainly help. Thanks Al.

Greg

 

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Greg

These are pictures (not very good) of the tools I made to remove/install my AC clutch pulley. I used whatever I had in my junk box, but I'm sure it could be done differently.

I used a 3/8" sq. drive 5/8" socket which was about .870" diameter. Drilled 2 holes about .588" apart, center to center, centered on the back of this socket. Then tap it for a #6.32 screw. You could just drill a 1/8 dia. hole and insert a steel pin 1/8"dia. and that should work too. Cut/file to length.

A 5/8" hex nut is inserted into the socket so you can now turn it with another socket or wrench. I had an extra deep hex nut but a regular hex nut should work.

The picture shows one pin broken but it wasn't like that when I used it last.

I don't remember but the sq. dr. in the socket was probably needed to clear the end of the ac shaft.

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The other tool was used to help install the pulley. It is a 1/2"-13 threaded rod about 3 1/2" long with a metric hex nut (M10 pitch 1.5) brazed onto one end. I also filed the hex part away, but that may not have to be done. If you have a tap that size you could drill the end of the threaded rod and tap it.

After positioning the ac pulley on the compressor, I then screwed this tool onto the end of the AC shaft. Used a plier to keep it from turning as you turn the nut/washer to draw/press the pulley in.

Did it this way because I didn't remove the compressor from the car, but it was loose off it's mount.

Hope this helps you and anyone else .

Good Luck AL


http://community.webshots.com/photo/...00560628hNzHSn

 

My brother stopped by our mechanic and asked him if he had a special tool for the job, and he did! Comes in a box with a label that reads "Air Conditioner Clutch Puller" Looks very similar to what you've made, Al, but it's manufactured and it has a grip end on it to grab with pliers or something of that nature. He's bringin it up this weekend for me. Thanks for your help, Al. Maybe I'll take pictures of it to show what it looks like this weekend.

Greg

 

Greg

That sure as heck gonna save you alot of time not having to make this tool. Good of your mechanic friend letting you use his special tools. Don't bother with the pictures . Now did you remove the compressor off your car to work on it?

I read your post on the motor mounts. If you still have the old ones could you post a picture of them? And how much did you paid for them? Just wonder what bad ones look like.

Al

 

k.. so the special tool snapped in like 3 seconds... so we tried using some other tools - tried putting 2 drill bits into the holes and putting the new washer/bolt thing in there to help it stay straight (been trying this 2 drill bits thing all week) and one of the drill bits finally snapped off. Got it back out of the hole thankfully. Went out and bought a pair of bent-nosed pliers, those are now misaligned. Bought a butane torch to try to head up the thing to get it to loosen up, didnt work. Pulled the damn thing out and tried using a screwdriver in the hole and a hammer to turn it, didnt budge. So, basically, its a bastard, I hate my car right now, and we're pretty much out of ideas. We'd (my brother and I) would try making your tool, except there's just no way on Earth that thing is moving. Gonna have to get a new/used compressor for it. In the mean time, we're going to try putting 1 belt on the ps and alternator. We measured the needed length to be about 49", which we bought, but its not a 'v-belt' serpentine (sp?) belt, its a stubby serpentine belt.. who knows if its gonna work or not. We'll just have to find out tomorrow as its already pitch black at 6:30pm and I have no drop lights or exterior lights bright enough on my apartment. Fun times. Piece of crap. Photos will be taken sometime, Al. Promise. Waiting on my brother so we can goto dinner and I can eat for the first time today. On a related note, if you have a migraine, and cant eat or drink, work on your maxima. The frustration will burn off the migraine really quick. At least thats what happened to me. Sigh... I need a $50 car that will just go with little amounts of maintenance. Anyone got a $50 car that can do high way speeds and is in good body/mechanical/electrical condition???

Greg

 

Greg

I went and found the old ac clutch parts and in the box was another tool that I must have used. It's been awhile when I did this work ...so looking at the parts...I think you don't need to remove this part (special bolt) to remove the clutch Hub. Also I think it's only used along with adjusting shims (if needed) to help bottom them out....then... add the hex nut and tighten things up.

Man... don't even remember if I got that bolt out too...since your having so much problem.

First ??? , did the new ac clutch assy come with a new (special bolt) ? When I got mine it was included. That's how I was able to make a tool to pull that hub out. Look at the two pictures in my link.

I used that new bolt and a washer to sandwich a 1/4-20 nex nut together. Used pan head machine screws but counter sink heads would give you more room to screw it in deeper into the hub. Added a long threaded bolt ... now I have a puller. You should be able to see how I used this tool.

There should be enough threads on the hub with that old bolt still in-place to allow you to use this tool. I say this is gonna work!

Here's the link again with 2 mnew pics...

http://community.webshots.com/album/100558521qhwOiG

Good Luck

AL

 

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! And no thanks to the AC compressor. So, here's what I did, and before anyone tells me its going to destroy my car, take into account that i only want it to drive about 300 miles and then I'll switch it back to how its supposed to be:
removed bastard compressor, went to Adv Auto and tried to get a belt that was big enough to go around the PS, crank, water pump and alternator pulleys. We measured it with a tape measure to be ~49" around all of those pulleys, so we went and got a 3 groove/4 'tooth' serpentine belt, but upon putting it in, it was WAY too long. The alternator would have to be extended to the limit, and then there would really be no way to keep it there. Went back and got a 45", it was way too short. Got a 46", also too short, but close. Got a 46.5" and it was also just a tad too short - I could fit it on the alternator, but then the alternator could not twist into position. Called up Adv Auto and asked if they had a 47" belt, they didnt. All they have is the 46.5" and then a 90" (?!?!) serpentine belt.
So I called up Auto Zone and they said I'd have to bring in the 'old belt' to compare it to what they've got. Goto Auto Zone and compare, and not only is it 47", but its actually the 'V-belt' serpentine thats needed for the job! (all the others were similar to the timing belt in groove/tooth shape I think - flat 'teeth' with cross grooves) I came home, fitted it on there, got the alternator bolted up, tensioned the belt and fired her up with my fingers crossed and a prayer to God that it might work and that all those other pulleys spin in the same direction the alternator needs to go. She fires up and runs kinda clunky at first, and a bit rich (only started the car once in the last 2-3 weeks because of this and that was to move it in its parking space so I had space to lay down w/o being under the car next to me). Drove it around the block and there didnt seem to be any issues with it being rigged like that. Noticed the throttle goes down to idle a lot faster than it used to, but it doesnt bog down at all.
Will take pictures of the beat the hell up compressor tomorrow as well as those mounts for you, Al. There's really not much to show (or, rather, you cant really look at them very well in your car without a lift), but the extent to which they're shot is somewhat scary/humorous. Its been a long day, and its time I eat something. I'll let you know when I get home safe on Wednesday. Thanks for your help, Al. If the compressor I get has a crappy looking clutch on it (from the salvage yard) I'll take a look at your part again.

Greg

 

Okay! So, I made it home safe and sound. The belt chirps a hell of a lot on all of those pulleys, and I think its coming from the PS pulley or the tensioner. Started up about a half hour through my drive, and for the next hour or so I was petrified that it was gonna come apart on me Then, I hit traffic on 295 - a tractor trailer managed to flip onto its driver's side trailer and all, blocked 295 where 295 & 95 meet for about a half hour or so in slow rolling traffic - and I turned off the motor when I could in hopes the chirp would go away, but I had to move too much to make it worth shutting off and starting up again. About 1/2-3/4 of the way through the traffic jam, it stopped chirping for some reason, I'm not entirely sure why. Started back up when I got back to normal driving on the highway. Typical belt chirp - faster the faster the speed. Originally wasnt very bad at idle, but got as bad at idle as it was driving it. Voltage was at a constant 'just-over' 14 volts where it is supposed to be.

Went to UWrenchIt today and picked up an 87 Maxima's compressor and apparently 87's (maybe more?) have what the master tech at Hburg Nissan called a 'revolution counter' on the compressor and 3 prongs sticking off the outer part of the clutch to record/tell the computer when the AC is on. I dont have that on my 88. Got it for $27.xx including a $5 core charge. Brought it home, tried to get that damn bolt out and broke a screw in the hole, so I decided to try to drill the thing out, but the drill I was using got 'burned out' as my dad called it when he got home. He busted out some cutting oil and a newer drill bit and we drilled 2 new holes in the washer as well as drilling out the screw I got stuck in there. Then we used a punch/tap and a hammer to twist it loose (worked a lot better than a screw driver). Long story short, we got the old clutch assembly off, and the new one on, and I will be installing it and restoring my belt setup to normal tomorrow morning/afternoon before dinner. Gonna snag my brother's digi cam to take pictures of stuff before I get to work (hope he brought it home) and post pics after Thanksgiving Dinner or somethin. On a related note, clasp rings suck. Even with a clasp ring tool they were friggin hard to install! Sheesh..

Greg