AC Clutch bearing change
Discussion
A reasonably easy job if you have a modest press for the bearing. I changed mine as I could feel the bearing was dry on rotation by hand.
To start, I slackened off the AC compressor tensioning bolts, removed the bottom pulley wheel by undoing the 4x cap head screws and removed the belt and pulley wheel. You can wiggle the lower pulley off and past the large damper close by. Sorry no pic of that.
To remove the AC compressor clutch I used a 14mm socket on an impact and a brief press of the trigger and the nut undid easy.
Removed and kept safe with the 0.8mm shim behind the clutch.
To remove the compressor pulley, first I had to remove the retaining circlip. I'd recommend some decent 6" circlip pliers. I used a pair of Machine Mart ones where you can swap heads, which worked but were a faff.
Next a gentle pry will probably take the pulley all the way off the shaft. Be careful not to damage the pulley. I had to use a small 3 arm pulley/bearing removal tool for the final bit but only light pressure was required to draw it off the shaft.
Next I removed the retaining ring for the bearing with an o-ring removal tool and a small screwdriver. Again a bit tricky but easy enough.
Finally pressed out the old bearing with a small bench press.
Original bearing was an NSK 35BD5020DU and I replaced it with a PFI equivalent PC35500020CS.
eBay Link
Pressed it in easily.
Pulley fitted back on the compressor shaft nice and easily with a few gentle taps with a small hammer and a protective piece of wood.
Refitted the remaining components and re-tensioned the belt.
All done.
Finally, added some gas to the AC system using Thompsons products (based in Macclesfield)
Thompsons
I'd used an R134a kit successfully on my daughter's Ford Ka and just topped up the Tuscan system from ~12 to 20psi running on the low side. Good enough for this year and to check all was working fine with the AC system.
All OK and nice and cold.
To start, I slackened off the AC compressor tensioning bolts, removed the bottom pulley wheel by undoing the 4x cap head screws and removed the belt and pulley wheel. You can wiggle the lower pulley off and past the large damper close by. Sorry no pic of that.
To remove the AC compressor clutch I used a 14mm socket on an impact and a brief press of the trigger and the nut undid easy.
Removed and kept safe with the 0.8mm shim behind the clutch.
To remove the compressor pulley, first I had to remove the retaining circlip. I'd recommend some decent 6" circlip pliers. I used a pair of Machine Mart ones where you can swap heads, which worked but were a faff.
Next a gentle pry will probably take the pulley all the way off the shaft. Be careful not to damage the pulley. I had to use a small 3 arm pulley/bearing removal tool for the final bit but only light pressure was required to draw it off the shaft.
Next I removed the retaining ring for the bearing with an o-ring removal tool and a small screwdriver. Again a bit tricky but easy enough.
Finally pressed out the old bearing with a small bench press.
Original bearing was an NSK 35BD5020DU and I replaced it with a PFI equivalent PC35500020CS.
eBay Link
Pressed it in easily.
Pulley fitted back on the compressor shaft nice and easily with a few gentle taps with a small hammer and a protective piece of wood.
Refitted the remaining components and re-tensioned the belt.
All done.
Finally, added some gas to the AC system using Thompsons products (based in Macclesfield)
Thompsons
I'd used an R134a kit successfully on my daughter's Ford Ka and just topped up the Tuscan system from ~12 to 20psi running on the low side. Good enough for this year and to check all was working fine with the AC system.
All OK and nice and cold.
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