I'm pretty sure the clutch bearing on my '99 XJ's A/C compressor is about to give up the ghost, but I need some guidance on troubleshooting it.

The grinding occurs regardless of whether or not the A/C is on. So even when the clutch is not engaged, it grinds like crazy. It doesn't get worse or better when the compressor is running, so I'm pretty sure that the compressor works fine.

If that sounds right, what does replacing this bearing entail, and can it be done without discharging the system and removing the compressor? I have been finding mixed results on whether or not the compressor has to be removed. I'd rather not go through the ordeal of having the system drained and refilled if I can avoid it.

Thanks in advance!

 

The clutch bearing for the a/c compressor pulley, or the bearing in the a/c compressor bracket the fan clutch bolts to?

 

Honestly I'm not sure which is shot. From what I found though one might be replaceable without pulling the compressor, while the other is not.

I've been digging some more researching this and might just go ahead and get a whole new compressor and be done with it. It'll cost me more in the end but at least I'll know everything's new.

 

Remove the belt and the fan, and give the a/c pulley and fan clutch bearing a spin. Let Them spin freely. They should spin free with little to no noise. If the a/c pulley sounds like it is catching as it spins, the bearing may be shot, or the backside of the clutch may be dirty, or both. I believe there are shims inside the clutch so if you feel the need to remove the clutch to service the bearing, try not to lose them. I do not know the part numbers as i never had to service them before, but if the bearing or the clutch are the only issues, i would not worry about the compressor itself.

The fan clutch bearing is part number 17104.83. You can get it from Summit, Omix-Ada, and probably others. You will need a puller and/or a press of some kind. You will have to remove the bracket. I have seen bearing replacements done with a 3 jaw puller (to remove), and a balljoint press (to install). Air tools will help tremendously. You may need a puller for the a/c pulley as well. Not sure about the install.

Give the pulleys a spin first to see whats going on, and take it from there.

 

Awesome, thanks a ton! I'll give it a shot this weekend while I replace the U bolts on the rear axle, one of which also decided to snap yesterday.

It truly was a "Jeep" Day

 

Are you sure it is not an idler pulley bearing going out? If it was in the AC compressor I would think the noise would change when you engage the clutch.

 

Get one of these. Then you'll know.


You'll be amazed at what you can learn with one of these beasts. Should be in everybody's tool kit.

It's twenty bucks worth of "I wish I had known about these a long time ago!"

 

Update: It's definitely a bearing in the a/c compressor. I got the belt off and started to see if I could swap out just the bearing but as I got into the clutch, the whole thing is toast.

I decided to just go ahead and put a new compressor in.

Can I get away with just doing the compressor or should I replace the accumulator and a few other things. Basically I'm looking at this kit:

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....431776&jsn=228

The system doesn't have any leaks and does blow cold so it shouldn't have ever been exposed to any contaminants, just a compressor that's shot.

Thanks!

 

And it only costs $4.