Bad A/C Compressor bearing
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Bad A/C Compressor bearing
It sounds like my 85's Compressor bearing has gone bad. I am getting a horrid bearing noise from that side of the engine. I pulled the belt, and the water pump feels very tight and smooth, the tensioner feels the same, but the A/C compressor feels a bit rough when I turn the pulley and does have a minute amount of play in it. I had to watch it pretty closely to see it though.
I found a post in the Archives that says the bearing can be fixed, but is it really that simple to pull the clutch and replace the bearing using a puller? Is it a special puller or a three fingered deal used for wheel bearings, etc?
Anyone done this?
I have not had any A/C for over a year, so my next question would be along the lines of converting to r134. I suspect running it dry caused the bearing failure, R12 out here may be near impossible to find, so the change sounds pretty simple. I found several posts that explain it. I am not concerned as much about the cold air as I am keeping the system lubricated.
What's everyone's take on the change?
I have zero A/C type tools(no vacum pump, or pressure gauges) to do this with, but my neighbor may have what I need, he does home heating and air conditioning. I am not opposed to buying tools, but for a one time shot..... maybe not
Thanks
I found a post in the Archives that says the bearing can be fixed, but is it really that simple to pull the clutch and replace the bearing using a puller? Is it a special puller or a three fingered deal used for wheel bearings, etc?
Anyone done this?
I have not had any A/C for over a year, so my next question would be along the lines of converting to r134. I suspect running it dry caused the bearing failure, R12 out here may be near impossible to find, so the change sounds pretty simple. I found several posts that explain it. I am not concerned as much about the cold air as I am keeping the system lubricated.
What's everyone's take on the change?
I have zero A/C type tools(no vacum pump, or pressure gauges) to do this with, but my neighbor may have what I need, he does home heating and air conditioning. I am not opposed to buying tools, but for a one time shot..... maybe not
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: Bad A/C Compressor bearing (Grzldvt)
Is it fairly easy and straightfoward to change the bearing. Once done, you should take it to an auto a/c mechanic. You or your friend probably do not the tools need to convert to r134a. The procedure is simple but the need machine is expensive.
First thing in the conversion is to change the nipples. Then remove the existing system of freon. Change the drier (recommended especially if the system was vacated as a result of a leak-no freon in the system). Replace two rubber o-rings in the compressor. Add a/c lubricating oil. Vacate the system of air and recharge the system. This is one conversion that I would recommend letting the pro's do. It costs approx. $150.00 for the changeover, and will probably cost that to add r-11. Hope this helped.
First thing in the conversion is to change the nipples. Then remove the existing system of freon. Change the drier (recommended especially if the system was vacated as a result of a leak-no freon in the system). Replace two rubber o-rings in the compressor. Add a/c lubricating oil. Vacate the system of air and recharge the system. This is one conversion that I would recommend letting the pro's do. It costs approx. $150.00 for the changeover, and will probably cost that to add r-11. Hope this helped.
