AC Compressor loud rattling

[bspurloc]

The Ac Compressor when the ac is not on is rattling extremely loudly. when the ac is turned on it isnt as bad.
I loosened the belt and spun it, it is rattling.
I am not sure the Compressor is bad, it doesnt get as cold as my crown vic but it gets cold.
I see AC Compressor sold with notes "WITH CLUTCH" I am wondering if I can just replace the clutch not that I have seen one for sale yet, or the whole compressor grrrr...

thanks

 

[meerschm]

http://gmtnation.com/f23/ac-clutch-replacement-7718/

might find some help here.

also could shoot for just the bearing.

 

[meerschm]

http://gmtnation.com/f23/replace-compressor-clutch-whole-compressor-7754/

also look here... Sparky posted a link to just the bearing.

you should be able to search up a few other posts and u-tube videos

 

[DocBrown]

If you are anywhere over 100k and you're planning on keeping it a few more years, I'd be changing the entire compressor. If you do, also replace the drier/accumulator and orifice tube at the same time. The drier/accumulator is really just a filter that's not a maintenance item. It gets saturated over time. the drier/accumulator and orifice tube together are less than $30. Also, don't buy a used or remanufactured compressor.

 

[bspurloc]

http://gmtnation.com/f23/replace-compressor-clutch-whole-compressor-7754/

also look here... Sparky posted a link to just the bearing.

you should be able to search up a few other posts and u-tube videos

Nice thanks for the reply!
I hate replacing compressors, my daughter has a friend mechanic at the local chevy dealer, I may just have him replace the compressor. I dont think I have the patience to replace the clutch after looking over your setup. I put twin electric fans in her car so i have the room, but I dont want to do all the Clips etc and then find I cant get something back together. she gets REALLY REALLY annoying when i'm not done with her car in a few hours haha....
plus I have a feeling the bearing or whatever wont last long enough to get the clutch delivered. blah.

 

[bspurloc]

Ok... Maybe I will fix this...
I bought a 705K6 Belt and installed it per Roadies diagram !
Oh the car is so quiet now!
The bearing is bad but not bad enough to have destroyed the compressor....
I see people in the past fixed this with this bearing
Santech/A/C Clutch Bearing (MT2031) | AutoZone.com

but now I see autozone offers the whole thing... what are the thoughts on that?
Everco/A/C Clutch (48655) | 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4WD 6 Cylinders S 4.2L SFI DOHC | AutoZone.com

 

[bspurloc]

got the clutch off and the bearing out. To loosen the clutch bolt I took an open ended wrench jammed that into the hole in the frame to the right of the clutch and the closed end I turned the clutch till one of the big rivets caught the open end of the wrench.
The nut loosened pretty easily. I then took the snap ring out from looking under on the car as I was able to see directly into the ac unit with a flashlight in mouth. gotta love cree flashlights! small and bright as hell.
I then used a small 3 leg pulley I got at harbor freight. I ordered the bearing from autozone and knocked out the old one with a 33ish MM socket and a hammer. I grinded off the dimples first.
View attachment 29364
Here is the bearing, a 35x50x20.
View attachment 29365
I was driving by Pepboys and stopped in to see if they had the bearing! dude found it in the list and got it off the shelf... um the bearing he came back with was massive. very odd.
Product Results A/C Compressor Clutches & Parts | Pep Boys
this is 2.9 x 2.9 x 1.1 inches which is quite bigger than 35mmx50mmx20mm
I do see that searching higher than 2002 no bearing is found so maybe this HUGE one is for an older style compressor not used in newer 2002 or 2003+
the correct one will be here monday

 

[bspurloc]

Ok got the Bearing from FEDEX today, of course had to go to the FEDEX building because the delivery people are inept, I have a 50% chance the driver will actually ATTEMPT to deliver anything or just put a dumb excuse.
I taped the old bearing to the new one and used a 4LB plastic sand hammer form harbor freight to bang in the new bearing hitting the old one. it started going in crooked so I banged it out and tried again. still a little crooked so tapped the higher side till it leveled out then hammered to the exact spot the original was in. There is a stop area where the bearing is being inserted I noted the original was not in all the way to it and put the new one to the same spot. I took a picture so I would remember.
I had to lightly hammer the bearing/wheel into the shaft/magnet all the way till I could see the ring clip area. got the ring clipped on from below. and tightened the bolt to the shaft...
at first I confused myself and used the SHIM as a washer, cuz u would think it was a washer, which caused the clutch to jam to the wheel... WRONG! I took the clutch off and put the SHIM on first! so it could SHIM! then the clutch and bolted it on.
I jammed a wrench into the frame and the closed end to one of the big rivets on the clutch to tighten it...
View attachment 29376
removed the bypass belt and installed the correct belt! turned on engine and QUIET!!! SO QUIET! see compressor spinning. and my twin electric fans!
View attachment 29377
and to make sure FRICTION isnt why it is spinning I turned off the AC and u see the clutch not moving!! SUCCESS!
View attachment 29378

 

[djthumper]

Glad you got things going again. I went through this a couple of years ago myself.

 

[bspurloc]

Glad you got things going again. I went through this a couple of years ago myself.

thanks. The AC isnt all that cool but it has been like that for several years.
I just tried to put some r134a in but the pressure was just over 55psi at 85F which is in the recommended range. oh well better than nothing and no more bearing whine

 

[meerschm]

have you hosed out the condenser coil?

you really need at least two gauges to check for proper r134a pressures. with a way to measure outlet temps on the dash. if your is similar to my '03, low pressure reading at ambient 85 degrees looks like it should be 35-45 psi, with high side at 160 to 200 or 210 ( assuming high humidity) test conditions include idling for five minutes or so with fan on high and windows open. dash outlet is spec'd to be not over 60 to 65 degrees, which is not like an ice blast.

also could be a blocked evaporator coil, or some blockage in the r134a path.

interesting troubleshooting steps in the service manual. but if you are comfy and not sweating it, i say enjoy the ride (and the sound system)

 

[bspurloc]

have you hosed out the condenser coil?

you really need at least two gauges to check for proper r134a pressures. with a way to measure outlet temps on the dash. if your is similar to my '03, low pressure reading at ambient 85 degrees looks like it should be 35-45 psi, with high side at 160 to 200 or 210 ( assuming high humidity) test conditions include idling for five minutes or so with fan on high and windows open. dash outlet is spec'd to be not over 60 to 65 degrees, which is not like an ice blast.

also could be a blocked evaporator coil, or some blockage in the r134a path.

interesting troubleshooting steps in the service manual. but if you are comfy and not sweating it, i say enjoy the ride (and the sound system)

yeah she isnt complaining so I'll accept it as done for now!
I havent checked any coils for clogs. I did notice racing the engine at 2000 rpm it would get colder. I think... and that 100% isnt because of any clutch fan sucking more air thru as this is twin electrics which go to high speed when the AC is engaged.