So my A/C compressor was causing my fan belt to squeal a while back, I went ad bought the smaller fan belt and bypassed it.. Today just for kicks I put it back on, and the car can't even idle because of it, it doesn't squeal or anything, but it must be a huge load on the engine, like the bearing must be going out or something. I wanna know if anyone has ever tried to rebuild the A/C compressor, or if repairs are possible without having to buy a whole new unit. I don't really need the A/C, but it would be nice to fix it. Thanks for any info you might have

 

I recently had the same problem.

You can rip the clutch assembly off of another A/C compressor in the junkyard quickly and easily for next to nothing. Make sure it's lubed well before you put it on yours.

The thing is, you HAVE to have a special puller made for the job. I've seen them for 20 to 30 bucks all over (MUCH cheaper than a shop fixing it for you, and it doesn't take long to get these things off and on yourself) but I can't find somewhere that rents them out yet.

Those clutch bearings don't go out much so you shouldn't have to worry about it again for quite sometime.

I just don't want to spend 25 bucks on something that I'll probably only use ONCE in my entire life. Especially when I already have too much crap in my garage and I'm squeezing every penny I can to do other stuff on my car already.. lol

 

Awesome! I'll start hunting for one today.. Can I pick up that puller at any auto shop? not too thrilled about having to buy it, but even with it, it will be way cheaper than having an a/c shop fix it. do I have to vent the refrigerant to do it, or is it all on the compressor front part?

 

In a case like this I throw out start shopping for a new rebuilt compressor. I paid $150 for my rebuilt, warrantied assembly 3-4 years ago.
In end, you still evac the system.
In end you should find a Helms/GM factory book for your year compressor to read & learn before ya pull it apart.
I once rebuilt my AC System & while Wife was driving the compressor seized and caused smoke under hood.
I will say rebuilding a AC compressor is not the same as rebuilding an alternator.
Find out specific information before ya attempt this job.
Then make the best decision you can afford.

 

if you have an old compressor ok... but mine was a newly remanufactured compressor put on right before i bought the car. since i didn't buy the thing i didn't know where to go for warranty service. no way am i buying a whole compressor when im struggling to get SFC's and other stuff, when i can replace the clutch for almost free on a perfectly good compressor.

mine still blows ice cold, it just squeals like hell and starts to eat the belt cause that clutch bearing is going to crap.

You don't have to evac the AC system just to pull the clutch off the front do you?

50 to evac, 150 for remanned compressor. 50+ (probably a big plus) to get it refilled. 300 bucks on just parts.

500 to have them do the whole thing themself i bet.



i'll risk the clutch going bad once more and i'll keep a breaker bar and the bypass belt in my car for awhile just in case.

i'd rather learn a free lesson than pay 3 to 5 hundred bucks to learn nothing.

 

My example is my 1985 Firebird.
I had system filled and working.
Compressor was original to the car.
Compressor seized on my Wife while driving.
I got it evaced for free.
I swapped all the parts I needed, including $150 compressor.
Refilled for free.
Shame ya couldn't cash in on your warranty on that recent installed part.
I cashed in on the recent AC labor done on my car.

 

where'd you get your car evac'ed and refilled for free?

 

Richards Auto Repair
Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405