So my A/C compressor has been making a failed bearing sound for a bit now. Today, I went to Napa & bought a shorter belt to bypass the compressor totally. Start her up, and she purrs like a kitten again. I then proceed to take her out for a test drive and around 2500-3k RPM's, I hear a slight metallic (something loose) noise. Back home, take off the splash guard and realized it was the A/C pulley/clutch assembly rattling around due to lack of tension. I literally have it wrapped with a piece of clothesline right now to apply pressure pushing the pulley away from the compressor (obviously temporary). Took her for another test drive and all is well. Anyways, without actually removing the A/C compressor and all of its components and lines, what would be an efficient fix for my situation?

 

Fix the bearings.....

 

Yeah, I don't think you have to pull the compressor to pull the pulley and replace the bearing. Plus...don't you want functional a/c?

 

sure i'd like functional AC. not prepared to pay for it though.
i'm used to the heat now & at 105 its only gonna get cooler...eventually.
this car is my backup vehicle when its storming, main vehicle is a motorcycle with a backup motorcycle.

 

Pull off the clutch and bearing assembly. It can be done while the compressor is still on the car...although you need to unbolt the compressor and let it hang (like you would when you do an alternator) to give yourself a little room. Reinstall is much easier while the compressor is on the car.

I did this and have been riding around for 4 months with the shorter belt. I finally sourced a used compressor with good bearings and have been trying to swap the new pulley/clutch assembly on. The large snap ring on the reinstall has been an absolute PITA and I need to find a better snap ring tool.

Just make sure to disconnect your AC from the plug on the compressor so that you don't attempt to run the compressor when it is not hooked up.

Here is a good writeup that I just found this morning...it would have helped me a decent amount if I had found it before I attempted this project... http://www.vqpower.com/v2////article...article_id=112

 

here's the working link

http://www.vqpower.com/v2////article...article_id=112

 

Excellent. Thanks guys, and no, I do not care for a working A/C system as I have never used it in the past.

 

Rip out the compressor and bring it to a open field.