Air Conditioner clutch removal

[drlahman]

I have a 96 Grand Caravan with a 3.8 engine. The bearing for the serpentine belt pulley went out on the air conditioning clutch, So I removed the clutch but cannot get the pulley itself to come off. It looks like a splined shaft. What am I missing here? I do not see any snap rings or anything else that could be holding it on the shaft. Do I need a puller?
Thanks

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by drlahman

I have a 96 Grand Caravan with a 3.8 engine. The bearing for the serpentine belt pulley went out on the air conditioning clutch, So I removed the clutch but cannot get the pulley itself to come off. It looks like a splined shaft. What am I missing here? I do not see any snap rings or anything else that could be holding it on the shaft. Do I need a puller?
Thanks

driahman,

I can not speak specifically to your model, but I've changed several A/C clutch bearings. All of them have (compressor) a tapered shaft with key/keyway and required a puller.

[drlahman]

Thanks Alvin, Ill try a puller

[jagplates]

Generally, these are specific pullers for the A/C clutch. They thread into the center of the clutch and push against the shaft in the center. If you try to pull the clutch using a 3 jaw puller on the outside of the clutch, you will damage it.

[drlahman]

Well, It was NOT a press fit. It was held on by 2 snap rings that were inset and held the clutch magnet and pulley on the housing. Well guess what? I put an AC clutch puller on there, tightened it down, and SNAPPED the front of the compressor body. So, instead of spending $100 on a new clutch and pulley bearing, I now get so spend $700 on a new AC compressor. I just want to scream now.

[jagplates]

Been there. Done that. Different car, though.