AC compressor bearing- need some opinions

[SierraK2500]

On my 94 C1500, 5.7, the AC compressor/clutch is making a metal on metal grinding noise, that sounds like a bad bearing. I took the belt off and spun the pulley by hand to confirm that was where the noise was coming from. It doesn’t matter if the air is on or off. The air works fine, nothing locked up yet, but I’m sure it will soon if I don’t do anything. So I guess my choices are replace the whole compressor, replace the clutch, replace the bearing, or install the bypass pulley and not have air. I don’t use the air often, but it’s a nice truck and I kind of want it to work just because it’s there. I also don’t want to spend $200+ to replace the compressor if I could just replace the bearing for around $20. Should I attempt to just replace the bearing or the clutch? Is there anyway to be sure that’s the only problem before I take it apart?

 

[jd33173]

I would swap the bearing but you may need a puller to get the compressor pulley off.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

if I could just replace the bearing for around $20.

It'd be a challenge to replace just the bearing since it's peened in place. There's some tools you'll need too. It's not easy but, you can change the clutch without draining the system.

www.gmt400.com/threads/swapping-the-clutch-on-an-r4-a-c-compressor.49928/

Swapping the Clutch on an R4 A/C Compressor

The other day when I was waiting for curb side delivery at Total Wine my A/C started blowing warmer to the point it was cooler than the vent but not cool enough to keep me from sweating. It got a little cooler when driving home on the freeway then, when I got off at my exit it started blowing...

www.gmt400.com

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

Is there anyway to be sure that’s the only problem before I take it apart?

You’ve already done what I would do… remove the belt and spin the pulley, feeling for roughness and listening for telltale noises.

“Borrow” the tools you need from your store of choice to R&R the clutch, buy the bearing along with a 12pk of beverages to enjoy after the job is done.

Look up the process on YouTube.

Can you get a bearing for $20?

 

[98 Nitro]

Can you even still get a clutch assembly? My clutch is out and I know Four Seasons sells them but some of the reviews say they do not work on the stock units.

 

[SierraK2500]

I would swap the bearing but you may need a puller to get the compressor pulley off.

Thank you.

It'd be a challenge to replace just the bearing since it's peened in place. There's some tools you'll need too. It's not easy but, you can change the clutch without draining the system.

www.gmt400.com/threads/swapping-the-clutch-on-an-r4-a-c-compressor.49928/

Swapping the Clutch on an R4 A/C Compressor

The other day when I was waiting for curb side delivery at Total Wine my A/C started blowing warmer to the point it was cooler than the vent but not cool enough to keep me from sweating. It got a little cooler when driving home on the freeway then, when I got off at my exit it started blowing...

www.gmt400.com

Thanks for the link, that’s very helpful. I think that’s what I’m going to do.

You’ve already done what I would do… remove the belt and spin the pulley, feeling for roughness and listening for telltale noises.

“Borrow” the tools you need from your store of choice to R&R the clutch, buy the bearing along with a 12pk of beverages to enjoy after the job is done.

Look up the process on YouTube.

Can you get a bearing for $20?

Thanks. I saw the bearings on Rock Auto’s website. They had a few different ones ranging from about $5 - $25.

Can you even still get a clutch assembly? My clutch is out and I know Four Seasons sells them but some of the reviews say they do not work on the stock units.

I’m pretty sure I saw them somewhere online when I was searching, but don’t remember where. I’ll have to look again.

 

[someotherguy]

Clutch assembly is absolutely available. They're $105, from Rock, or $116 from amazon/free ship. Four Seasons 47656. I haven't read anywhere that they don't fit stock compressors, and it doesn't sound plausible.. but who knows? Where are those reviews found?

I've replaced a couple many years ago, it's not a difficult job but you do need to take care to set the air gap appropriately or it will not work. Setting it too loose will result in no engagement, too tight will stay engaged, and perhaps drag/damage the clutch. A set of feeler gauges will be needed. IIRC spec is .025-.035, some sources say .020-.040, the clutch hopefully comes with instructions.

That part # includes the mechanical portion of the clutch as well as the electromagnetic coil, which obviously if yours is working, you wouldn't need to replace it. The bearing and the clutch surfaces are the wear areas.

I just need the coil since some jackwagon broke the connector off. But with no idea whether the compressor is any good, I'm reluctant to lay out $100 for a clutch.

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Richard

 

[SierraK2500]

Clutch assembly is absolutely available. They're $105, from Rock, or $116 from amazon/free ship. Four Seasons 47656. I haven't read anywhere that they don't fit stock compressors, and it doesn't sound plausible.. but who knows? Where are those reviews found?

I've replaced a couple many years ago, it's not a difficult job but you do need to take care to set the air gap appropriately or it will not work. Setting it too loose will result in no engagement, too tight will stay engaged, and perhaps drag/damage the clutch. A set of feeler gauges will be needed. IIRC spec is .025-.035, some sources say .020-.040, the clutch hopefully comes with instructions.

That part # includes the mechanical portion of the clutch as well as the electromagnetic coil, which obviously if yours is working, you wouldn't need to replace it. The bearing and the clutch surfaces are the wear areas.

I just need the coil since some jackwagon broke the connector off. But with no idea whether the compressor is any good, I'm reluctant to lay out $100 for a clutch.

You must be registered for see images attach

Richard

Thanks for the info.

 

[98 Nitro]

Clutch assembly is absolutely available. They're $105, from Rock, or $116 from amazon/free ship. Four Seasons 47656. I haven't read anywhere that they don't fit stock compressors, and it doesn't sound plausible.. but who knows? Where are those reviews

The reviews were on Amazon and Advanced Auto, some say it works others that it was different, one even saying it for 4 Seasons compressors only(some of the parts stores have them as their brand too like O'Reilly). Now I was looking at the 96+ units and maybe the reviewers really had no clue idk. For the price though maybe just buy a new compressor.

 

[Schurkey]

On my 94 C1500, 5.7, the AC compressor/clutch is making a metal on metal grinding noise, that sounds like a bad bearing. I took the belt off and spun the pulley by hand to confirm that was where the noise was coming from. It doesn’t matter if the air is on or off.

Why is the compressor pulley bearing noisy when the clutch is engaged?