yes, you can change a/c clutch WITHOUT opening cooling lines. how-to
yes, you can change a/c clutch WITHOUT opening cooling lines. how-to
Ok, short and sweet. remove rh inner fender liner and rh lower shield (black plastic pop-rivets and screws) Loosen (do not open lines) power-steering fluid reservoir (two bolts) Remove belt. Disconnect the hold-down bolt for the lines that are right in front of compressor clutch, lift assembly out of way, (watch for rh airbag sensor, it is in the way of the lines but can be avoided) Remove lower two compressor bolts and loosen top bolt lightly (only # bolts) tip the end of the compressor down toward the ground (it will pivot on top bolt) remove the center bolt (torx bit) remove snap ring (pain in (removed), use screwdriver to loosen before hand) use a/c pulley puller to remove pulley (that is why we tipped, to fit in puller and see snap rings) remove next snap ring (i really recommend a GOOD set of snap-ring pliers, not too large or won't fit) coil unit will be seized to the compressor with corrosion, smack with rubber mallet and then pry lightly. (i feel this corrosion caused failure by making a ground connection difficult) now, remove upper bolt or else you can't remove "pig-tail hold down screw". pry out plastic connector. Clean compressor face and shaft area. install new coil. once little screw is back in for pigtail you can put in top bolt snugly. reverse order of dis-assembly. Shims go in the "splined hole" in "front plate" make sure you use feeler gauges on the "air gap"!!!!! the torque spec of the little bolt in center is in Newton Meters or Inch Pounds! Make sure you have a appropriate torque wrench!! a second set of hands works best because you need to use clutch holding tool. and the proper thread locker!! reconnect the power supply and the belt and all is well. a/c works again. just a little note, the black pop-rivets on this car are the worst I've seen, most broke when removed (I have a removal tool) some were missing from normal use. buy a box of spares!!! replace belt if cracked. Sorry if I missed a step! Whole thing only took me a few hours of casual labor with friend. (lunch breaks and air-guitar sessions)