How do I change the bearings in A/C clutch pulley?
 

My new compressor is squeeking and we have determined that it is the bearing in the clutch assembly. So the mfg sent me a new bearing. I was wondering, how to get face plate off and where is bearing and how to get to it. Do i need special tools?
Should I unbolt comperessor, support it, but let it hang face down, so I have more room to work?
Help, its getting hotter here, now that it quit raining finally.
Thanks is advance.

No one has done this? or can it even be done?

Ok, so I took the face plate off, then the snap ring. but do I need a puller to take the pulley off? I cant get it off. The bearing is definitely bad, when I spin it, you can hear the ball bearings spinning/grinding. There is all sorts of junk in the space between the face plate and pulley. Is this normal?

Most people change the entire clutch assembly. You can usually rent a puller at a auto parts store to do the job.

Yes you do need a puller. When you reinstall the new bearing ensure that the retaining clip is properly seated. Most people are unwilling to tackle this simple job and end up replacing the entire compressor. If the bearing has come apart ensure that the clutch coil is not damaged after cleaning the "junk" away before reassembly.

I'll go get a puller later. The bearing has not come apart yet. It still spins very freely, but has a slight growl to it at times.

I just thought, by junk do you mean an oily residue? if so it could be your front seal on the compressor is leaking.

I think Im right behind you on this repair. Mine has been making awful sounds for awhile now.
When you look for a replacement compressor clutch, where do you go? Standard auto parts place, dealership or the manufacturer of the compressor?
I can get bearings at the usual supply places, but it sounds like its best to swap the clutch unit at once.

Kawi600,
If this is your original compressor, Id just swap compressors. I'm only doing this because my compressor is new and the bearing is bad. I can get a new one, but that would require that I take it to a shop to have it evac'd, swap compressors, and recharge. $200+. So I told the peeople where I bought it, to just giv me the bearing and Id changeit my self.

Roughstock,

I changed out the AC clutch on my 98.5 so my advice may apply to your 97. The toughest part of the change out is loosening the 14 mm nut on the compressor shaft. I had to cobble up a tool to hold the center of the clutch while getting the nut off. I did this by using a piece on 1” band iron about 1’ long and drilling two holes to allow ¼-20 bolts to be screwed into two of the three holes in the clutch plate. This tool also has a half round notch over the 14 mm nut to allow a socket to reach it. After getting the nut off I placed a ¾” bolt head against the compressor shaft and tightened the two ¼-20 bolts to press off the clutch plate and shims. Then the large snap ring is next. At that point the pulley and bearing come off in one piece by pulling by hand. If yours does not come off, a puller may be needed.

I finished my bearing change tonight. I did similar things that bent valves said. Made a tool with tow pegs to old the face plate still. took off nut. had to unbolt the compressor and tilt it down to get puller on the pulley. Pulled off no problem. the bearing was pressed into the pulley and then peaned into place. I took die grinder and ground of the peaned parts. Pressed bearing out. It was a chinese piece of junk, they didnt use hi temp grease and it was all burned or gone and the bearings were kinda gritty. I pressed in new Japanese bearing and peaned over the edges. Put pulley back on. tapped into place with large socked over pulley. Bolted comp back on to truck. Put plate on, tightened nut, installed belt. Started truck.
Worst part was having to unbolt the compressor.