On Aug 4, 12:26 pm, Randy Replogle wrote:
Apparently the bearing is going out on the pulley end of the A/C
compressor. Can bearings be easily replaced or should I just replace the
compressor?
Randy

Depends on the type of system. I've replaced the bearing on my Ford,
but it has a Warn clutch, millions made. The bearing has a standard
number but nobody stocks it except auto A/C parts suppliers with a
really deep inventory. Found mine on the internet. I'm assuming you
mean the clutch pulley bearing and not something in the compressor.
You CAN pull the pulley and clutch off with the compressor in the car,
but it depends on what's in the way. I had to remove the fan and the
radiator to get enough space to use the hub puller on my van. Most
current after-market shop manuals refuse to give any details about how
to pull bits off the A/C components, referring you to an A/C shop. If
your unit has a Warn clutch, maintenance and setup details were on the
web at the time I did mine. The bearing ran about $20 + shipping and
quieted that pup right down. While I was at it, I resurfaced the
clutch plate and pulley and reset the running gap using the Warn
instructions. I also had a couple of extra compressors to snag parts
from, $7@ from the local U-Pullit. Nice having a vehicle they made
millions of.

You can get the special tools on loan from the likes of Autozone, some
of the other chains also have free loaner programs. To remove mine, I
had to use a clutch plate holder to remove the hub nut, a hub puller
to remove that, a set of long-nosed snap ring pliers with bent tips to
remove an internal snap ring, and a special pulley puller to remove
the clutch pulley. Runs to about $200 worth of tools, make sure you
have enough space on your plastic before getting them. Autozone
charges your card, then takes it off when you bring them back.

To order the bearing, you'll need make, year and model of the car and
the actual number cast or stamped into the compressor with its model
number. Lots of work with putty knife and pressure washer to get the
last with most old cars.

You CAN get just the clutch unit as a rebuilt, would be all set to
go. For mine, that ran between $80 and $200, depending on what parts
joint was doing the gouging. You'd still need the tools to install
it, though.

Stan