[Hank]

I'm trying to get an experienced answer on the following question.

Is the A/C clutch on the 2003 replaceable?

Local Advance Auto and AutoZone say no and only stock the full compressor.
Dealer said no the last time this happened and replaced the full compressor. Was probably going for warranty money though..
RockAuto.com shows the clutch in stock for 75 bucks.

I found a newsgroup post once indicating it was possible but needed a special tool.

Anyone know for sure?

The clutch is getting noisy and sometimes I have to turn the A/C on and off again to get the clutch to reseat and the noise to stop. Noise is bad when A/C kicks on during accel from stop. During cruise, I can here a clink noise when it turns on. Once it is on and seated it is quiet. Not a compressor noise.

Thanks

edit #1
Whoops, let me correct one statement above. AutoZone.com now stocks the clutch..
edit #2
Now I am totally confused. Advance auto does not stock the clutch but recommends the clutch installer and clutch removal tools for my Astro.

 

[rev_les]

Yes, it's replaceable, and yes, you need a special puller for it. I'd recommend doing it either way (clutch or compressor) ASAP, if the clutch locks up, it's gonna leave you stranded, that's the downfall of only one belt! ray:

 

[fungus2k]

definatly get that fixed ASAP, couldn't make it too work on time one day cause the dang compressor seized and hence the motor wouldn't turn over. or just buy a idler pulley and a non ac belt and problem solved for 20 bucks

 

[Hank]

Well it has been this way for about 8 months but I guess at some point it will fail.

The pressures are good and the noise is not from the compressor so I'll start with the clutch replacement. Can't go without A/C down here, it was 90+ today. Typical S. Florida fall weather.

Will take some pics and post back when I do it.

 

[fungus2k]

my ac's shot, but then again it must be nice to HAVE to have ac, not much use for it up here for 10 of 12 months, and those other two months the wife can suffer, she works in a ac'd place and i work in a place that ups the temp by probably 20 degrees. So she can deal with the warm 10 minute drive to and from work!

 

[jimmyjam]

I replaced the clutch on my 04 today. it would squeal when it was disengaged and drag. Picked up a new clutch and loaned out an "a/c clutch servicing kit" that had a puller and presser from autozone. removed the airbox/maf, top fan shroud, disconnected the top rad hose to make some room. Clutch plate came off with the puller, then remove a snap ring holding the pulley bearing, pulley and coil came off with a 3 arm puller. Removed the shaft key from the old clutch, popped it in the new one. Tapped the new coil on with a block of wood and a hammer, also the pulley. pop in the lockring. then i had problems getting the clutch pressed in far enough. There was maybe a 1/8th in gap. The shaft on the new clutch plate was a little longer than the old one, so i trimmed 1/4 in off of it, but it still wouldn't press on. threw some grease on there and voila it pressed in. so maybe i cut it for no reason. :banghead:

autopsy shows heavy scoring on the old plate and pulley, maybe some mud got in there. all i know is more more screeching banshees in my hood. :banana:

 

[Hank]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll give it a shot over the next few weeks and post back.

Mine does not squeal on disengage, however it sounds like hell when it engages during acceleration. I am guessing it is not grabbing due to scoring also. When I back off the throttle it hooks up and all is well. At cruise or idle it engages fine.

 

[jimmyjam]

now that I think about it, the first symptom I had was an odd sound under hard acceleration that would go away when I backed off of the throttle. I never diagnosed that and I guess it evolved into awful screeching at idle, which was much easier to diagnose because I'm staring at an ac compressor that is screaming at me and occasionally turning 1/2 a turn when its disengaged.

The factory clutch had very little travel in it, I read places where there should be a 0.015 in gap. The new one has larger flex arms (I don't know the proper nomenclature for this stuff) so the clutch spacing can be larger and still engage. I spaced my new one at 0.025, works like a champ