A/C Clutch Replacement
 

Has anyone ever replaced the clutch on their AC compressor? System is working fine, except I'm getting metal shavings at the pulley and an intermittent squealing. When I put the stethoscope up to the pulley, it's obvious the noise is coming from there. I did it on a 2014 Tacoma, but never on the Jeep. Just trying to skip having to get the system recharged as I just did that.

I am fairly certain I have seen a write up of how to do this job...so Yes..have you checked Youtube?...the FSM ?

I've checked, but haven't seen anything on the forums, YT, or the FSM. If you come across something, please pass it along.

A new clutch set up for the compressor will cost almost as much as a new compressor , I think that's why you can't find a video on it .

Yeah it's true in most cases. I think if I get creative I might find a cheap one on eBay
If not my options are: a) Get an expensive one
b) Get a compressor and remove the clutch assembly from it
c) Replace just the bearing and hope that was the only thing wrong with it

pretty sure thats what the writer did

you may search for "Go Jeep webpage"...an excellent site for XJ, but my new computer anti-virus wont let me visit it !

It may not be him that did it either

Man, that's an awesome website. Thanks! I don't see any mention about the AC repair but what a great resource.

Been watching a bunch of videos on how people do it on other cars. Looks pretty common and should be pretty easy as long as getting the bearing out is drama free. I'll do a write up and maybe film it. A sub $30 bearing sounds way better than a $230 clutch.

Crazy thing is at Oreilly the difference between getting one with a clutch and w/o is $2, yet they wanna charge you $230 for the part alone.

Everything you need to know I have for you:

The bearing is
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1. Remove drive belt
2. You can use the wrench for an angle grinder to hold the clutch to remove the nut.
3. Don't lose the shim(s) on the shaft behind the nut!!!
4. Use a screwdriver to gently pry off the clutch plate.
5. Pull away the clutch plate! I ruined mine because I tried to use a puller without the next step!
6. Remove the inner snap ring.
7. Unbolt the compressor for better access. Put a towel underneath it to prevent any damage.
8. Remove the second snap ring?
9. Use a puller to pull the pulley off.

The link to the kit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Compress...n/182935661338

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bad-ac-clutch-97572/

The absolute best and most concise video:

One way of doing it:

Oh man I wish I had seen all this before I attempted this. I got all the way to removing the clutch. I removed the tiny inner snap ring, which was a terrible idea because it dumped all of my freon out of the system. I'm embarrassed to even mention it but I have to own up to my mistake. Ended up just replacing the compressor with a reman unit.

Everything you posted is a pile of gold. I wish I had put this job off one more night so I had time to see this...... Thanks for posting it.