94 K1500 4x4 A/C comp. noise

[andymikem97]

My A/C compressor clutch is screaming like a banshee. I dont drive it very often (2500 miles per year) so I'm not all that worried about the A/C working. Can I just buy a smaller belt and bypass it? A friend of mine told me I might have to buy a 'spacer pulley' of some sort. Is that true? My local auto parts store is no help at all. Any help is appreciated.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by andymikem97

My A/C compressor clutch is screaming like a banshee. I dont drive it very often (2500 miles per year) so I'm not all that worried about the A/C working. Can I just buy a smaller belt and bypass it? A friend of mine told me I might have to buy a 'spacer pulley' of some sort. Is that true? My local auto parts store is no help at all. Any help is appreciated.

Find a good parts place.
But.
Bypassing sometimes is more rouble than fixing.
If it is the compressor front bearing you can just install a new bearing and leave the clutch off .
If just compressor noise just unplug it.

Or just go to the bone yard and find a old compresser with a good front clutch bearing.

[andymikem97]

Didnt think about just replacing the bearing. A/C hasnt worked at all since I bought it, so I would feel more comfortable replacing the whole unit for the $50 difference in price from buying just the clutch assy. Might pull it apart this weekend and see how much a PIA it will be to just replace the bearing. Is there a special tool that I would need to replace the bearing??

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by andymikem97

Didnt think about just replacing the bearing. A/C hasnt worked at all since I bought it, so I would feel more comfortable replacing the whole unit for the $50 difference in price from buying just the clutch assy. Might pull it apart this weekend and see how much a PIA it will be to just replace the bearing. Is there a special tool that I would need to replace the bearing??

You may need a bearing driver but parts place might have a loaner or sometimes you can improvise.