AC pulley bearing gave up on life

[SaltyNalty]

So I notices a dry bearing sound while driving that over the space of 15kms became quite loud.

I had a look and the tensioner pulley was bouncing around a lot so I ordered a new one. I then took off the belt in preparation to replace it only to find it was fine.

I popped the belt back on to have a better listen to where the problem was. The belt then shredded and the noisy pulley revealed itself.

The AC pulley is no longer connected to the compressor and the bearings are all external to the bearing.

I'm still trying to fix it bit I'm not yet able to re m ove the fan, I have a large shifter which fits the nut but can't seem to stop the water pump from spinning with the tools I have.

Hopefully I'll figure it out, I'll keep you posted.

Cheers,

Salty

[SeanC]

Just in case you aren’t aware. Loosening the fan is clockwise not anti-clockwise.

[DiscoJeffster]

Either make or buy the special tool, or do as I do and ghetto it with a a cold chisel and mallet. Crack the nut on edge and it will come loose (remembering its reverse thread as mentioned). Works every time for me.

[josh.huber]

Salty, you'll need to replace the compressor. I've seen that before on other vehicles. The compressor is well and truely dead.. Not to mention the clutch should have held it on.

The easiest way to get that out is leave the fan. Come in from the wheel arch

[SaltyNalty]

So I got the fan off with a bit of persuasion from a large screw driver and hammer on the small nuts.

This allowed me to take the pulley off. I didn't bother taking the bearing inner race off as it was going to be a lot of work and I could already see the compressor shaft was damaged where the circlip snaps in.

Looks like this will be a compressor out job. I think I'll try and get someone in to do that, it's a bit beyond me with the de gassing and regassing.

Cheers,

Salty

[josh.huber]

So I got the fan off with a bit of persuasion from a large screw driver and hammer on the small nuts.

This allowed me to take the pulley off. I didn't bother taking the bearing inner race off as it was going to be a lot of work and I could already see the compressor shaft was damaged where the circlip snaps in.

Looks like this will be a compressor out job. I think I'll try and get someone in to do that, it's a bit beyond me with the de gassing and regassing.

Cheers,

Salty

Bugga!! Make sure they flush it properly

[Bulletman]

10mm ring spanner on 1 of the bolt heads on the pulley , rotate it so the spanner is under the fan shaft running at 3ooclock to 9 o'clock angle and hold tension on the spanner, large shifter on the fan nut and sharp whack in the anti clockwise direction on the shifter has worked for me in the past when my special tool wasnt handy... dont try and push it as the bolt head would be alot weaker than the fan shaft that's why a sharp whack with your hand works better..

Bulletman

[PerthDisco]

Bugga!! Make sure they flush it properly

Yes this is mandatory if pump has seized to remove all fine metal or you will destroy your condenser radiator and your new pump voiding warranty in process.

[Falcon500]

So I got the fan off with a bit of persuasion from a large screw driver and hammer on the small nuts.

This allowed me to take the pulley off. I didn't bother taking the bearing inner race off as it was going to be a lot of work and I could already see the compressor shaft was damaged where the circlip snaps in.

Looks like this will be a compressor out job. I think I'll try and get someone in to do that, it's a bit beyond me with the de gassing and regassing.

Cheers,

Salty

Hey mate, I was worried about the degassing etc too but you can find mobile AC guys that come to you. I think it was only $85 bucks or something to degas. So that's an option if you feel like taking it on yourself.

[SaltyNalty]

I've got a bloke coming Friday to swap it out. I don't have the time to tackle it myself for a while and was wanting it back on the road for the school holidays. Not that we can go far!

The compressor still turns over and AC was working right up until the bearing gave up on life.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers,

Salty