A/C compressor squealing like a pig

[Brute03]

hey guys, i've had a slight chirp that has now turned into an annoying squeal, it sounds like dry bearings. i managed to trace it to the compressor but now what? what do i change to make it stop? can i just shoot it with some lithium spray?

 

[squeak93]

U can try but I bet ur compressor is going out... Could be inside... Mine does the same thing and has started to wobble...

 

[flstang65]

i would change out the compressor and clutch. then shoot your old one with whatever firearm you may possibly own. LOL

 

[Brute03]

wouldn't a new compressor come with a clutch installed? because i don't know anything about setting the air gap or what ever it's called

 

[squeak93]

It should..... Might be something to check into before paying for it.

 

[flstang65]

not always. depends on where you get it from. the one for my old escort came separate from the clutch o yo ucould have bought it together. maybe its changed. that was like 2 summers ago when i was stationed in texas.

 

[COramprat]

Guide for the clutch chnage if you need it.

http://forums.stangnet.com/614300-replacing-ac-compressor-clutch.html

 

[Brute03]

thanks for the write-up but knowing me i'll probably screw up the air gap part. i'm going to start looking for the compressor with the clutch already on it

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I had this happen to my 4.6L this summer. The a/c started smelling like smoke...and when I got home that thing was RED HOT!!!!!!

Anyways, simply pull the belt of. Take off the 8mm bolt on the front of the compressor. Slide, take the snap ring off the center hub and the pulley/clutch & bearing assembly will come off as a unit. You can buy a new one at the AP store and slide it back on, reinstall the snap ring and the 8mm bolt, belt, and you're good. Don't even have to drain the a/c!!! That is all that goes bad on them.

 

[96SCstang]

SVT32DOHC is correct but you still need to set the air gap as you mentioned most of the time. sometimes you can get it right by just eyeballing it but it's really not that hard to do. just get some feeler gauges and find out the spec. and you should be able to figure out the rest. otherwise just get a whole compressor, but you will have to empty and refill the a/c system if you decide on this route. oh and dont forget to put 2 oz. of oil in the new compressor. the oil has to be compatible with R-134 systems as well. good luck! :SNSign:

 

[COramprat]

I think the whole compressor would be would be harder having to remove the pressured lines and such. The clutch replacement isn't really that hard.