A/C compressor clutch pulley bearing relpacement...

[turbokinetic]

So today the compressor clutch pulley bearing started smoking and making all sorts of nasty noises! I was fortunate to have been able to shutdown the engine before it burned the belt or destroyed any additional parts! The repair took about an hour and a half and the bearing was about $25.

Start by wedging the clutch hub so it can not rotate. Use a 1/2" socket to remove the nut that holds the clutch hub on the compressor shaft.
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(0).jpg

Install the clutch hub remmoval tool into the threaded hole in the hub. This tool is available from most DIY parts stores and sometimes is a "free rental." It's not expensive though. The hub is a press fit on the shaft and will not come off without this. Prying will destroy it.
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(1).jpg

Force off the hub using the tool. This is all there is to it!
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(2).jpg

Hub is off. Next remove the snap ring that holds the pulley onto the compressor.
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(3).jpg

Hub is off. Next remove the snap ring that holds the pulley onto the compressor. The pulley is a very light press fit on the compressor neck. Gentle prying (against the mounting ears of the compressor ONLY, not the compressor body) should ease the pulley off. Sometimes they are stuck and a puller is required. This one slide right off easily.
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(4).jpg

The bad bearing shown in all of its glorious nastiness!
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(5).jpg

Here's the new part ready to go in.
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(6).jpg

New bearing installed in pulley. Notice I chose a different (used) pulley. It is smaller and will turn the compressor faster at idle so that the A/C will cool better at idle. I did install the new bearing into it, though.
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(7).jpg

Sometimes the pulley will rub on the magnet coil and melt it to pieces. Thankfully this one was caught in time and that did not happen!
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(8).jpg

All back together! The pulley with new bearing (glued in with Loctite), snap ring, clutch hub, and nut all go back on in reverse order from removal.
http://68.209.87.173/87_Century/AC_Repair/Pulley_Brg%20(9).jpg

[83STE]

Good job. Did you have the shop press the bearing or were you able to use a clamp or a bench vise?

[turbokinetic]

Good job. Did you have the shop press the bearing or were you able to use a clamp or a bench vise?

Actually, the bearing is a "light" fit on the compressor neck. It pries off fairly easily.

The pulley has some "staked" areas that hold the bearing in. I ground them out with a Dremel tool and smal carbide cutter (straight 1/8" cutter). Then drove the bearing out with a socket and hammer. The new one I put Loctite 680 retaining compound on the outside of the bearing and used another socket to drive the bearing back in by the outer race. It's not a hard press fit.

The Loctite takes the place of the staking and holds the bearing in.

Later,
David

[65skyturbo]

I think mine may have just went out last night. Looks like the clutch caught on fire for a moment as it is all melted. My pulley is still turning freely though so I don't know if it is the bearing, the clutch assembly or the compressor that is bad. Basically I was cruising at 45mph with the air on and I noticed that it was not blowing very cold. Then I happened to look out the side view mirror and saw grey smoke coming from my car. I was less than 2 miles from my house so I decided to just get home. Turned off the ac and the smoke let up. Got home without any more drama and now I'm just trying to decide if the compressor froze or if the clutch went bad. I'm leaning toward the clutch since it is physically melted. Any a/c experts have an idea on how to diagnose.

[turbokinetic]

I think mine may have just went out last night. Looks like the clutch caught on fire for a moment as it is all melted. My pulley is still turning freely though so I don't know if it is the bearing, the clutch assembly or the compressor that is bad. Basically I was cruising at 45mph with the air on and I noticed that it was not blowing very cold. Then I happened to look out the side view mirror and saw grey smoke coming from my car. I was less than 2 miles from my house so I decided to just get home. Turned off the ac and the smoke let up. Got home without any more drama and now I'm just trying to decide if the compressor froze or if the clutch went bad. I'm leaning toward the clutch since it is physically melted. Any a/c experts have an idea on how to diagnose.

If the pulley still rolls freely, the most likely problem is the compressor seized. The test will be to re-engage the A/C while watching. If the clutch starts grinding and smoking instantly, then the compressor is shot. If it runs OK at first, then there may be some other overload condition causing the compressor to stall and burn the clutch. If the cooling fan is not actuating, or the orifice tube screen is clogged, it will cause the compressor to overload, after a few moments of seemilgly normal running.

[65skyturbo]

Actually after my last post I went outside and did just that. Turned on the car and everything is fine until I turn on the AC. Clutch does not engage and just makes chattering and scraping sounds. Idle slows down and I can see the clutch is not turning at all. Turn off the AC and it quits making noise and the idle speeds back up. I know on previous cars that even if a clutch is bad or the compressor has issues you can still usually see it move some. This one is solid and will not move at all. I have a feeling the magnetic coil and the clutch may be fused as one.

[turbokinetic]

Unfortunately, if the A/C switch will still control the clutch at all (makes the scraping sound turn on and off) and the pulley still runs freely with the A/C off then the compressor its self has seized.

After letting things cool, try to turn the center of the compressor and I bet it is locked up.

David

[Prospeeder]

if the clutch gap is to far or the clutch coil is weak it will not be able to apply full lock of the compressor and will slip and scrape

[cutlasscruizerrr]

I think mine may have just went out last night. Looks like the clutch caught on fire for a moment as it is all melted. My pulley is still turning freely though so I don't know if it is the bearing, the clutch assembly or the compressor that is bad. Basically I was cruising at 45mph with the air on and I noticed that it was not blowing very cold. Then I happened to look out the side view mirror and saw grey smoke coming from my car. I was less than 2 miles from my house so I decided to just get home. Turned off the ac and the smoke let up. Got home without any more drama and now I'm just trying to decide if the compressor froze or if the clutch went bad. I'm leaning toward the clutch since it is physically melted. Any a/c experts have an idea on how to diagnose.

This is the EXACT thing that just happened to me. Unfortunately I checked it and the compressor has basically all but seized. So, Dad and I unplugged the connector until we can get it to a shop so I don't accidentally set it off.