a/c compressor replacement
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Vonore Tennessee
a/c compressor replacement
The a/c compressor pulley on my C6 is squeaking like a banshee (ok, maybe I don't know what a banshee squeak is like, but this thing is sure loud!). I don't really want to mess with dropping the front crossmember, and am wondering if anyone has had experience with removing one from the top. It looks like I would have to remove the belt tensioners and the water pump in order to get it out. Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
The a/c compressor pulley on my C6 is squeaking like a banshee (ok, maybe I don't know what a banshee squeak is like, but this thing is sure loud!). I don't really want to mess with dropping the front crossmember, and am wondering if anyone has had experience with removing one from the top. It looks like I would have to remove the belt tensioners and the water pump in order to get it out. Thoughts?
I'm about to do the same compressor swap....(I have a centrifugal blower) and I was told it can be removed through the front w/o dropping the cradle....but is VERY tight
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I've pulled it out towards the front with cradle in place. It's a bastard, very tight fit.. but it will come. Took some jerking if memory serves.
Posted pics in C U's thread a day or two ago if you want to see them.
Posted pics in C U's thread a day or two ago if you want to see them.
Last edited by schpenxel; Jan 31, 2016 at 10:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Vonore Tennessee
a/c removal
Thanks for the pics! In one of them, it looks like you removed the pulley. If so, was it difficult to do so? Looks like it's held on with a c clip.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I had to replace the clutch on mine, so that was why I removed it.. you don't have to remove it to get the compressor off thankfully
It was a royal pain to get off.. It's just a snap ring or two that hold it together but they are really tough to get to. With the correct snap ring pliers that are angled perfectly it probably wouldn't be so bad.. but I wasn't that lucky
It was a royal pain to get off.. It's just a snap ring or two that hold it together but they are really tough to get to. With the correct snap ring pliers that are angled perfectly it probably wouldn't be so bad.. but I wasn't that lucky
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Vonore Tennessee
The squeaking noise on mine occurs even with the a/c turned off. Do you think that my problem is actually a bearing in the clutch and not the compressor itself? Sure would be simpler to invest in a snap ring pliers and just replace the pulley/clutch! Thanks for your help on this!
I had to replace the clutch on mine, so that was why I removed it.. you don't have to remove it to get the compressor off thankfully
It was a royal pain to get off.. It's just a snap ring or two that hold it together but they are really tough to get to. With the correct snap ring pliers that are angled perfectly it probably wouldn't be so bad.. but I wasn't that lucky
It was a royal pain to get off.. It's just a snap ring or two that hold it together but they are really tough to get to. With the correct snap ring pliers that are angled perfectly it probably wouldn't be so bad.. but I wasn't that lucky
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
The squeaking noise on mine occurs even with the a/c turned off. Do you think that my problem is actually a bearing in the clutch and not the compressor itself? Sure would be simpler to invest in a snap ring pliers and just replace the pulley/clutch! Thanks for your help on this!
Last edited by C U IN REARVEIW; Feb 1, 2016 at 03:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Vonore Tennessee
Nope, not the tensioner pulley. I replaced that a year ago. It's definitely the compressor clutch/pulley. I can stop the squeak (for a few mins) by spraying silicon into the back end of the pulley. I've read other posts that state that the compressor must be removed in order to remove the clutch. Mine looks a lot different than the one in your picture and I noticed that I can easily wiggle the front half of it. Oh well, might as well bite the bullet and install a new compressor & clutch.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Yeah I'd throw a new compressor on it while I was at it.. I really regret not doing the whole compressor when I did mine. My compressor is rattling now so I'm going to have to do the whole job over again.
A brand new ZR1 AC Delco one is $245 delivered on Amazon. It has a 6 rib pulley but that will work work fine on 4 rib, and you have a 6 rib available if you ever need it
I'm going to be ticked off if you get the last one though.. I'm going to buy this thing sooner or later
A brand new ZR1 AC Delco one is $245 delivered on Amazon. It has a 6 rib pulley but that will work work fine on 4 rib, and you have a 6 rib available if you ever need it
I'm going to be ticked off if you get the last one though.. I'm going to buy this thing sooner or later
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Vonore Tennessee
Already ordered the Denso OEM on E-Bay for $100 more, so you're safe for the time being. Thanks a bunch for all of your advice. Now it's time to skin some knuckles!
Yeah I'd throw a new compressor on it while I was at it.. I really regret not doing the whole compressor when I did mine. My compressor is rattling now so I'm going to have to do the whole job over again.
A brand new ZR1 AC Delco one is $245 delivered on Amazon. It has a 6 rib pulley but that will work work fine on 4 rib, and you have a 6 rib available if you ever need it
Amazon.com: ACDelco 15-21745 GM Original Equipment Air Conditioning Compressor: Automotive
I'm going to be ticked off if you get the last one though.. I'm going to buy this thing sooner or later
A brand new ZR1 AC Delco one is $245 delivered on Amazon. It has a 6 rib pulley but that will work work fine on 4 rib, and you have a 6 rib available if you ever need it
Amazon.com: ACDelco 15-21745 GM Original Equipment Air Conditioning Compressor: Automotive
I'm going to be ticked off if you get the last one though.. I'm going to buy this thing sooner or later
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita CA
Compressor clutch bearing spun-
Nope, not the tensioner pulley. I replaced that a year ago. It's definitely the compressor clutch/pulley. I can stop the squeak (for a few mins) by spraying silicon into the back end of the pulley. I've read other posts that state that the compressor must be removed in order to remove the clutch. Mine looks a lot different than the one in your picture and I noticed that I can easily wiggle the front half of it. Oh well, might as well bite the bullet and install a new compressor & clutch.
Try using gap filling bushing adhesive with a new AC compressor clutch. The car in the pictures has headers and you will not get the compressor out if you have stock exhaust manifolds.