I believe my AC clutch went bad on my 04 ram 5.7. The AC do not blow cold at all. It all started after this grinding noise coming from under the while the truck was idling at a light. When look under the hood, I checked the compressor and in the middle of it there a black ring, which I believe is the clutch bearing. It is half way shredded up. Im low on fund so I believe its best for me to change the clutch instead of the whole compressor. Plus, it is possible to change the clutch while all the ac line still hooked up right? Can give me the procedure to changing the AC clutch on my truck?

 

You can change just the clutch. You have to get the air gap right or it will not work. Also if the bearing on the end of the comprssor shaft is bad, you will have metal in the a/c system.

 

Whats air gap? It just better off just to change the whole deal huh?

 

You may be better off changing the compressor. You should also change the orific tube, and the reciecer/dryer. (Accumulator some call it). The air gap is the distance between the compressor and the clutch.

 

change the compressor, you'll save yourself tons of headaches... junkyards usually have them for not too much... you will need to have the whole A/C system vacuumed down and recharged though, so be ready to pay some $$ to get that done.

 

Yes - that is what I am trying to do. Tests showed the clutch was bad so trying to do least possible. So the air gap - I am using spacers - but how do you know when the air gap is right?

 

There is a spec for it somewhere. Likely from the same folks you got the clutch from.

 

Compressor clutch coil gap limits are .35mm to .65mm, you change the gap with shims on the compressor shaft.

 

You will need to have the whole A.C system

 

Get a Chiltons.

Replacing the Compresor will require a vacuum purge and recharge costing you more money than wanted.

Shim it, it'll be a pita but lowest cost.