Hi All, First post. My trusty 97 hatchback (bought it new,now has 126k) has a rattling grinding noise coming from the a/c compressor. I removed the belt and the noise disappeared, so I know the compressor or it's clutch is the cause. The noise gets a bit quieter when the a/c is turned on. How can I tell if the noise is due to a bad a/c clutch or if the compressor itself is bad? Is there a bearing in the clutch and one in the compressor? The a/c works fine, it just has gotten much noisier. The belt tensioner pulley seems ok. Any help is appreciated!

Rob

 

Sounds like you have a bad rotor pulley bearing (see picture below and in next post), which is part of the clutch.


[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/F4DA3F067FCF4B519FC32CC8071084C0.jpg[/IMG]

 

This picture shows a disassembled view of the compressor. Both the compressor proper and clutch rotor pulley have bearings. If you plan to overhaul the clutch, I can also post those instructions.

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/A9787199C10B408F877F0C289536C856.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks Ron, Yes, I am going to replace the a/c clutch,I would appreciate it if you would post the instructions. Appreciate your help!

Rob

 

The next two posts are instructions for the clutch overhaul (overhaul #1 and #2).

Subsequent posts will show how to remove and re-install the compressor.

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/827805D2280F4CD79244A5C8CCDF176D.jpg[/IMG]

 

picture for overhaul #2...

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/E41C0AE916314E8AB47D8BE4F62B9950.jpg[/IMG]

 

The next four posts cover compressor removal/installation (#1 & #2), evacuation (#3), and charging (#4).

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/BBE333D9077F40E9A844CA7C964B6F7F.jpg[/IMG]

 

#2

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/476D9812E6CB420DABF3152065559316.jpg[/IMG]

 

#3

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/44F7F8A10C2949D78047AC8E0C5116E1.jpg[/IMG]

 

#4

[IMG]local://upfiles/25538/8D285D71162A4FFF97F261548CED3A3A.jpg[/IMG]