Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

NickB on Sun June 22, 2008 1:55 PM

Year: 2003
Make: Nissan
Model: Xterra
Engine Size: 3.3
Refrigerant Type: r134a

A/C compressor started making a not so nice noise when NOT engaged. I removed the belt, pulled the clutch plate (with the special kent-moore tool) and saw that one of the three "arms" was cracked causing it to come into contact with the pulley when it was not engaged. The compressor works just fine when engaged, but I'm not sure if I can just replace the clutch drive plate, or if this could have damaged the pulley bearing. I've heard you should replace the whole clutch/pulley assembly when one of the parts breaks, but I was hoping I could just put a new drive plate on and be done with it. Any advise would be greatly appreciated (I can't find the clutch or pulley parts anywhere).

Thanks.

TRB on Sun June 22, 2008 3:18 PM

Hubs are replaceable items. Problem is finding one other than a wrecking yard.

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mk378 on Sun June 22, 2008 3:53 PM

Wrecking yard may make you buy a whole compressor, could still be a deal though just to get the clutch parts. Ideally the pulley and the plate should be kept as a matched set because they wear into each other.

NickB on Mon June 23, 2008 3:06 AM

Thanks for the advice. It's strange I can't find a new clutch / pulley anywhere, I guess I'll have to try to find a used one.

Chick on Mon June 23, 2008 6:56 AM

If you want a new clutch assembly,. e-mail the guys at Ackits.com and if one is available, factory or aftermarket, they can get it. As mk378
said though, if you go for a used one, use both the pulley and driver cause they do wear into each other..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

NickB on Mon June 23, 2008 11:52 AM

Thanks Chick, emailing them right now!

TRB on Mon June 23, 2008 12:37 PM

New compressor only from my sources.

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NickB on Thu June 26, 2008 12:33 PM

OK, so I sourced a pulley and clutch off of a used compressor that siezed up. It looks to be in really good condition and the pulley spins good, but would it be prudent to press a new bearing into the pulley, or should I be good to go? Also, the service manual says to use a hand press to attatch the pulley to the shaft, but from the picture it looks like they are using a mallet and a socket shaped cap to tap it on. Does this sound correct (I don't want to damage the compressor by hammering on anything)?

Thanks again for all your advice.

Nick

Edited: Thu June 26, 2008 at 12:35 PM by NickB

bohica2xo on Thu June 26, 2008 1:57 PM

If you already have the pulley in your hand, I would consider replacing the bearing. They don't put a lot of lube in a new bearing, and the one you have has been through a compressor siezure...

As for pressing bearings, always press on the race that is in contact with the press fit. In the case of the pulley, press only on the outer race when installing the new bearing.

You asked about installing the pulley. If you mean pressing the idler bearing onto the compressor snout, then yes you can tap it on to the compressor. Be sure to only apply force to the inner race of the bearing.

Never hammer on the end of the compressor shaft. If the clutch plate is a press fit, there is a tool for it someplace.

B.

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"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

NickB on Fri June 27, 2008 1:02 PM

Thanks for everyone's help. I got the clutch and pulley installed, set the air gap, and now everything is nice and quiet (just like new). Hopefully this repair will last

Nick

Edited: Mon June 30, 2008 at 12:09 AM by NickB

NickB on Tue October 18, 2011 12:10 AM

Okay, so three years later and my replacement a/c clutch broke again. Same symptom as last time, one of the three round springs broke and so the clutch plate is scraping against the pulley again. When I replaced the clutch and pulley three years ago I also replaced the engine fan clutch with a new OEM part from the dealer. Is there a reason why these things keep breaking, and does anyone know were I can buy just the fan clutch and not the whole compressor assembly?

Thanks,

Nick

mk378 on Wed October 19, 2011 1:54 AM

The one you put on was used, it may not have had much life left in it. Seems like the design may be prone to metal fatigue etc. and they just aren't going to last the life of the rest of the car. If it is metal fatigue, setting it up with a close gap may help so the springs don't move as far every time it pulls in. If the compressor still can engage, or after you get it working again, measure the high side pressure that will tell about the fan situation.

Edited: Wed October 19, 2011 at 1:55 AM by mk378