Thread: A/C compressor bearing

Righto, sounds like the bearing in the A/C compressor is on its way out, so followed the thread in here problem is with climate control and temp being so low the a/c will not switch on and lock the pulley in place. Therefore having difficulty undoing the 10mm bolt, any suggestions would be welcome.

The pully is designed to spin freely when the ignition is off... It won't lock up unless the engine is running and the clutch engages the ACC. (not that you'd want to try taking it off with the engine running anyway)

Now, the 10mm bolt won't be too tight. I managed to get mine undone by bracing the pulley with a big set of multi-grips in one hand and the 10mm socket drive in the other.
After it's out, you'll need to get the face plate off the access the circlip that holds the pulley onto the ACC.
Here's the best way to get that plate off without damaging it (it's quite fragile). When you go about this task, you will have to take off the guard that covers the pulleys and belts at the top of the engine to remove the serpentine belt. (assuming it's a V8? TD5 must have something similar??)
From memory these are also 10mm bolt heads, but they are much longer and their thread is slightly thicker than the 10mm bolt on the ACC face plate. Take one of these longer bolts and screw it into the ACC pulley where you just took out the smaller ACC bolt. (it doesn't need to be tight!!) You'll notice that there's an extra thread in there, slightly larger than the bolt you just took out.
Once you've screwed it in a little, pull on the longer bolt and the face place should come off.

From there, get the circlip out with some pliers made for the job (it'll be tricky without them). Now you shoul dbe able to wiggle the pulley off. If not, supply some gentle assistance with a rubber mallet or something. Just go easy on it as you don't want to deform the pulley.

The next step is applicable if you don't have a press available... Go to your local bearing supplier, get the new bearing and ask for them to press the old one out and fit the new one in.
It's a much cheaper process than ordering a new pulley and bearing (which you usually can't do without getting an ACC attached to it!)
I just did this recently and it cost me $35.