My a/c clutch is making noise. I am having a hard time, like impossible, finding an A/C clutch. The national chain auto parts store are no help. I don't want to replace the whole a/c compressor assy. Has anyone replaced a clutch or bearing? Where did you get the parts?

 

you want an answer from 45autopete to be sure, but im surprised you are having trouble finding just the clutch, i would think thats a simple thing to replace . . .

 

Haha...that is what I thought.. The tag on the compressor says Sanden Model 4854. I did see some listings for bearings but I do not know the degree of difficulty to replace them. I thought the clutch assy would be easy.

 

I know that most Major Auto Parts stores will not sell the clutch assembly separate from the compressor. They make more money by selling the compressor with the clutch. I worked on over the road trucks and believe it or not, most of the Big Truck Dealers do offer the clutch assembly separate. You might want to try to take your clutch to one of those dealer parts department and see if they can match it up or even offer you a place that sells those separate.

 

Call Auto Zone. I know they sell the bearing so they should sell the clutch packs and bearing in a kit or separate. Also you can try NAPA.

 

Yeah, and if I buy a compressor I have to have someone install it. That will cost big especially if I bring in my own part...

 

It looks like th way to go is to get a new compressor with a new clutch as the clutches cannot be purchased separately. I am thinking I could bring it to a shop and have them vacuum the system and then go home, install the new compressor and then go back to the shop and get it charged...any thoughts?

 

you might be able to pull that one off, just bring the guy a 12 pack for hooking you up like that since it is not a regular thing for them to do it that way(you also need to know that guy somehow i would think)

 

Yes...I am working the "friend of a friend" approach. Got a quote from a shop for $750.00. They want to replace accumulators and expansion valves and charge $310.00 for a compressor that I can buy for $199.00. Don't mind the cost for charging the system cause I want it done right.

 

It is a very good idea to get the accumulators (drier) and expansion valves replaced whenever a compressor is changed out. The price from the shop is not too bad a price and yes they do charge more for parts. All shops make their money from parts pricing mark ups along with labor. If you have a shop recover your freon and do the work yourself, always make sure that a shop does a vacuum on the system before refilling with the correct amount of freon. If a person is mechanically inclined, A/C parts replacement is not really hard to do but make sure you add the correct amount of oil back into the system after repairs.