Replacing AC clutch bearing

While waiting on parts for an engine swap we decided to replace the AC clutch bearing. It had been making a grinding noise prior to the engine failure.

It looks really simple when watching the 1000 videos online, but I'm having a hell of a time getting the pulley/bearing mechanism removed.

I removed the 10mm bolt from the from of the compressor but can get no further than that. I'm very hesitant to pry on anything as the AC works really good even though the bearing is currently noisy. All the videos show the mechanism coming off, then a snap ring beneath. I'm not having the same experience.

Any tips? Here is what I'm looking at right now:


Yes that is CAT5 you see being used as rope to hold up the accessories.

 

Ok I got it off, turns out you can use a larger bolt threaded into the front piece (wish I knew the name) to tighten up and force the unit apart. It worked like a charm!

 

That's called the A/C clutch, the other part is called the pully or hub.

 

@dankgus, when you say larger bolt do you mean longer? I’m about to embark on the same bearing replacement.

 

Both longer and larger in diameter. It's really convenient that the hole in the front of the clutch is threaded for a larger bolt. The 10mm bolt that you remove doesn't actually engage into the threads on the clutch, it engages into the shaft of the compressor. This is super helpful because you can thread a larger bolt (I used an intake plenum bolt) into the clutch and it forces the clutch off the shaft.

I made a pulley puller to remove the pulley but I need a longer bolt for it, I'll try to post pics tonight.

 

Got it. TY!

 

My homemade pulley puller was a failure. Apparently it's really on there! I removed the snapring of course but the pulley won't budge. My homemade puller bent.

It turns out AutoZone loans pullers out so I'm going to stop in today and hopefully borrow it.

 

Just to update anybody who is considering this job, it sucks.

I spent the $17 on a new bearing but I'm hindsight I should have just bought a new pulley with a bearing in it. YouTube makes it look so easy.

There is ZERO chance I will get this bearing installed without a hydraulic press. It keeps getting crooked. I may see if a local shop can press it in for me but the fact is I've already bent the rim of the pulley. It's just the edge of the rim, and I can probably correct it mostly, but it could contribute to premature wear of the belt. A shop will probably charge an hour labor to press the bearing, and I can order whole replacement clutch for that price.

I find myself once again depressed.

 

When the bearing when out in mine, I found it to be a pain in the ass. I had a hard time as well. I got a compressor off of Craigslist, and the shop I go to swapped the compressors for under $300.