AC Clutch Assembly

[MahFiVeOh]

My AC went for a crap today and noticed the clutch assembly is shot on the compressor.Is this something i can repair myself or is there a special puller to remove the clutch? It looks like a straight forward repair so i'd like to fix it myself.Any tips would be helpfull....thanks.

 

[Daggar]

Yes... you can pull it yourself. You'll need a set of long nosed reversable snap ring pliers. There's a snap ring inside of the pulley hub itself that often gets overlooked. Once out, the pulley usually comes free with little or no trouble. Occasionally, a pulley puller is required.

 

[jrichker]

The A/C clutch is about $100 new or you can buy a compressor from the junkyard with a working clutch for about $50. The puller is about $16 if you have to buy one, Autozone will rent you one for free.

The clutch hub is usually what fails, the rubber shock damper shears off from the steel hub and plate. The pulley turns, but the hub doesn't when you power up the A/C The hub comes off without much problem if you have the puller. You don’t have to do anything with the refrigerant (R12 or R134a), you can replace the clutch without draining and refilling the system.

A few simple electrical tests are advised before popping out the wallet to buy a clutch assembly. With the engine running, use a test light connected to the 2 wires on the A/C clutch harness to make sure you have voltage when you turn the A/C on. If the system is low on refrigerant, the clutch will not engage (safety feature, keeps you from burning up the compressor due to no oil). There is an aluminum canister on the firewall with a large hose leading to the A/C compressor. There is a pressure switch on it with a 2 wire connector: pull the connector off and jumper the wires. The compressor circuit will power up, and the test light will light if the electrical circuit is good. This test is also a good way to check the compressor & clutch if the system is low on refrigerant. You can jumper the wires and the compressor will turn if the clutch is good.

 

[MahFiVeOh]

The A/C clutch is about $100 new or you can buy a compressor from the junkyard with a working clutch for about $50. The puller is about $16 if you have to buy one, Autozone will rent you one for free.

The clutch hub is usually what fails, the rubber shock damper shears off from the steel hub and plate. The pulley turns, but the hub doesn't when you power up the A/C The hub comes off without much problem if you have the puller. You don’t have to do anything with the refrigerant (R12 or R134a), you can replace the clutch without draining and refilling the system.

A few simple electrical tests are advised before popping out the wallet to buy a clutch assembly. With the engine running, use a test light connected to the 2 wires on the A/C clutch harness to make sure you have voltage when you turn the A/C on. If the system is low on refrigerant, the clutch will not engage (safety feature, keeps you from burning up the compressor due to no oil). There is an aluminum canister on the firewall with a large hose leading to the A/C compressor. There is a pressure switch on it with a 2 wire connector: pull the connector off and jumper the wires. The compressor circuit will power up, and the test light will light if the electrical circuit is good. This test is also a good way to check the compressor & clutch if the system is low on refrigerant. You can jumper the wires and the compressor will turn if the clutch is good.

When i was checking it out there was chewed up rubber coming from the hub so i think it just needs replacing. .The system is fully charged, the air was ice cold before it died on me.Thx for help.

 

[TheUser]

where do you get the long nosed reversable snap ring pliers? Is that what you ask for at autozone?

 

[Daggar]

where do you get the long nosed reversable snap ring pliers? Is that what you ask for at autozone?

Yes... it's a common tool. I got mine at one of those (Autozone, Advance, Pep Boys, etc.)

The reversable part just lets you change the direction of the opening by moving the pivot pin (i.e. squeeze to open or squeeze to close).

 

[MahFiVeOh]

The A/C clutch is about $100 new or you can buy a compressor from the junkyard with a working clutch for about $50.......

I priced a new clutch....300 bux Canadian Ended up getting a junkyard compressor for 100 bux.Anyways i now have cold AC once again, thank god since its been hot as F the last few days (36C and with the humidex 44C).Thx for the info all.

 

[trbkrb]

$300!!C Is that a new Ford part? I got a fully magnetic aftermarket replacement clutch from Autozone a couple of years ago for about $75US. It has worked great so far. Glad you got it swapped over. Try driving in 100 deg F heat with black leather interior, now THAT is HOT!