The A/C died on my 2000 SE.
The clutch bearing is bad and a link on the clutch plate broke.

Does anyone out there have a clue where I can get a replacement clutch without having to buy a whole compressor???
I've looked everywhere and can't find one.
I don't want to open the system because everything else works great.

 

U-Pull it style salvage yard. It'll probably only cost a few bucks.

 

I ran into this whole ordeal a couple months ago. Replacing just the clutch will take a lot more time than just replacing the whole thing which is why most shops don't do it. I went with the route of replacing the whole compressor as it was the easier alternative (found one for not too bad of a price).

Although Derrick2k2SE is right, a junk yard would be your best bet for getting just the clutch. Also the site www.car-part.com lets you search for it. I am not sure how mechanically inclined you are, but before you attempt this I would look up the steps and tools required.

 

This is a good point. Also, keep in mind that any work you have to do will be done within the confines of the engine bay since you're not wanting to remove the compressor. This adds another layer of difficulty over having it on your workbench.

Emptying the system isn't such a big deal. Just bring it to a shop and ask them to evacuate the system for you and recharge it when you're done working on it. Call around and get some prices. It's not much work for the shop if they have a good AC machine. It can take a little while but it's just hooking up the machine and letting it run.

+1 on car-part.com. They're great for locating used parts anywhere in the US. However, most salvage yards aren't going to sell a part of a part. They'll want to sell the whole compressor.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/231772303038?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1588%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D53601919689_324272%2526itemid%253D231772303038%2526targetid%253D186358953849%2526rpc%253D0.12%2526rpc_upld_id%253D76688%2526device%253Dm%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fitm%25252Flike%25252F231772303038%25253Flpid%25253D82%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9003234%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D239125209%2526adgroupid%253D14978428809%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-186358953849%2526gclid%253DCIvD_bbWh88CFdcYgQodjkgKhg%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D1091662896851&ul_noapp=true

Anyone try this?
Is the ac different for the 2000?

Edit: look for myself. Besides, the entire new compressor is about the price of the above assembly.

 

I looked at Nissan part numbers and the 2000 part number is different from the 2003 part number.

The parts book does not give information as to what the difference is, but I would not buy it.

 

^This. It is probably cheaper in the U.S, but emptying system here in Calgary was $60 and a recharge was $100. With the new compressor and drier, the whole thing has cost $450 CAD.

 

Thanks for all the help!
I'm just a shadetree mechanic, but I've been doing all my own repairs for a couple of decades. Plus I have the 2000 Maxima FSM. But most important of all, I have a next door neighbor mechanic with all sorts of whizzy tools.

I kept searching eBay for an 00/2000 compressor clutch. The only difference I can see in the 2003 clutch is the three counterweights. Every thing else looks identical.

I can get another compressor for $100 to $120, but then I have to spend another $100+ to recharge the system. I'm sure my neighbor has a puller, so its a piece of cake to change out just the clutch.