compressor clutch or whole compressor? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mtdave2 · 08-23-2002, 01:15 AM

i finaly had 10 mins (litteraly) to take a fast look at my trucks a/c. now im not so sure the whole compressor is bad. im thinking its just the clutch, how do i tell?

i have turend the out side part (the end of the clutch) and it spins fine. i assume this is turning the compressor. now the part that the belt goes to turns rough, catches, like the ball barrings are toast.

bad clutch?> or whole thing??

what is invalved with just chaning the clutch? im faced with a 700 bill if its the whole compressor, so i wont mind if i have to buy a 100 tool!

oldyeller · 08-23-2002, 02:39 AM

sounds like its the clutch pulley bearing, it is possible to get just the bearing, but its up to you to do that or get the whole clutch. You will need a puller, probably get one at a good parts store, and you will have to set the clutch back to the proper spacing after the breakdown so when you kick the ac in it will turn the pump, it can be a little tricky sometimes.

Did you have to take the belt off when the ac died??? If you can turn the end of the clutch freely, no serious binding, and the pulley part is rough or frose I would bet your pump is ok, and just needs a new bearing in the end... good luck..

Mike C · 08-23-2002, 09:03 AM

Dave, I put a new compressor on my Jimmy way back, when the compresssor lclutch failed (smoked like crazy and stunk like he!!) It cost like $72 for a new clutch while a rebuilt compressor was only $75. Seemed like a no-brainer. These were Western Auto prices and as you know, they are defunct now.

mtdave2 · 08-23-2002, 10:08 AM

well, the main differance is, if i replace the compressor, it has to be recharged, other parts changed and cost 700 bucks for the a/c shop to do..

a clutch i can do.

the belt squeeled like a pig and broke, a new belt btw. maybe i over tigtend it

ebfabman · 08-23-2002, 10:42 AM

Sounds like the hub bearing. You should be able to change it your self but as stated it can be alittle tricky.

In another tread about the high price of A/C work I'll explain what I know auto air aconditioning and why it cost so much.

Woody · 08-23-2002, 10:44 AM

mtdave,

Several years ago I did the Clutch only repair. Part houses wanted more for the clutch asm than they wanted for the whole compressor. What's wrong with that picture???

Any way, I got an old compressor from the wrecking yard yunk van (old chevy van full of old bad compressors and various other stuff) and soon found that you need special tools to hold the clutch and pull it off of the compressor. I found a guy (brother's Father-in-law= old chevy guy) who had the tools and let me use them. It worked great for another year or so, then the clutch went again. I think it got too hot from running the a/c for a long time (such as on a trip for a couple hours) and/or the compressor was getting hard to turn. This caused the clutch to slip and generate too much heat, then failure. So another clutch may only last a short time if you have other problems.

It was however a fairly simple change. Had to remove the belt and the fan shroud was in the way of the tools so it had to be moved by removing the bolts and turning it. It would have went smoother if the shrud was off the truck. But I did not have to depressurize the system (BIG BONUS!) so it worth the trouble.

mtdave2 · 08-23-2002, 11:04 AM

ebfabman please do, im pissing off a/c guys on a differant board. i would like to know why. thanks

i will find out how much the shops charge to do this job, that way they can check the rest of the system ect. that is, unless they want 300+ to do that lol

08-23-2002, 01:15 AM	#1
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	compressor clutch or whole compressor? i finaly had 10 mins (litteraly) to take a fast look at my trucks a/c. now im not so sure the whole compressor is bad. im thinking its just the clutch, how do i tell? i have turend the out side part (the end of the clutch) and it spins fine. i assume this is turning the compressor. now the part that the belt goes to turns rough, catches, like the ball barrings are toast. bad clutch?> or whole thing?? what is invalved with just chaning the clutch? im faced with a 700 bill if its the whole compressor, so i wont mind if i have to buy a 100 tool! __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

08-23-2002, 02:39 AM	#2
oldyeller Captain CAAAVVVMMMAAANNN! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Anna Texas Posts: 726	sounds like its the clutch pulley bearing, it is possible to get just the bearing, but its up to you to do that or get the whole clutch. You will need a puller, probably get one at a good parts store, and you will have to set the clutch back to the proper spacing after the breakdown so when you kick the ac in it will turn the pump, it can be a little tricky sometimes. Did you have to take the belt off when the ac died??? If you can turn the end of the clutch freely, no serious binding, and the pulley part is rough or frose I would bet your pump is ok, and just needs a new bearing in the end... good luck.. __________________ 72 LWB Fleetside C10 Custom 350/350 97 GMC Yukon 4X4 SLT Anna, Texas check out the project old yeller

08-23-2002, 09:03 AM	#3
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Dave, I put a new compressor on my Jimmy way back, when the compresssor lclutch failed (smoked like crazy and stunk like he!!) It cost like $72 for a new clutch while a rebuilt compressor was only $75. Seemed like a no-brainer. These were Western Auto prices and as you know, they are defunct now. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

08-23-2002, 10:08 AM	#4
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	well, the main differance is, if i replace the compressor, it has to be recharged, other parts changed and cost 700 bucks for the a/c shop to do.. a clutch i can do. the belt squeeled like a pig and broke, a new belt btw. maybe i over tigtend it __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

08-23-2002, 11:04 AM	#7
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	ebfabman please do, im pissing off a/c guys on a differant board. i would like to know why. thanks i will find out how much the shops charge to do this job, that way they can check the rest of the system ect. that is, unless they want 300+ to do that lol __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

08-23-2002, 10:42 AM	#5
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	Sounds like the hub bearing. You should be able to change it your self but as stated it can be alittle tricky. In another tread about the high price of A/C work I'll explain what I know auto air aconditioning and why it cost so much.

08-23-2002, 10:44 AM	#6
Woody Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Georgetown, KY, USA Posts: 631	mtdave, Several years ago I did the Clutch only repair. Part houses wanted more for the clutch asm than they wanted for the whole compressor. What's wrong with that picture??? Any way, I got an old compressor from the wrecking yard yunk van (old chevy van full of old bad compressors and various other stuff) and soon found that you need special tools to hold the clutch and pull it off of the compressor. I found a guy (brother's Father-in-law= old chevy guy) who had the tools and let me use them. It worked great for another year or so, then the clutch went again. I think it got too hot from running the a/c for a long time (such as on a trip for a couple hours) and/or the compressor was getting hard to turn. This caused the clutch to slip and generate too much heat, then failure. So another clutch may only last a short time if you have other problems. It was however a fairly simple change. Had to remove the belt and the fan shroud was in the way of the tools so it had to be moved by removing the bolts and turning it. It would have went smoother if the shrud was off the truck. But I did not have to depressurize the system (BIG BONUS!) so it worth the trouble.

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