Air Conditioning Bearing

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by V8Adam, May 25, 2020.

  1. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Hey everybody,
    I believe that the bearings on my air conditioning compressor have gone. I get terrible squealing sometimes when idling. I thought this was a belt but it now appears to be the compressor. My friend who also has a Buick pointed it out and the noise does seem to be coming from that area.

    If this is the problem, is a new compressor the only option?
     
  2. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    More than likely a clutch squealing. The bearing is on the oiled side with the freon. Unless it leaks all the freon out in a day or two the seal and bearing should be good. Not a big deal to change the clutch ring and magnet. You also need to check the pressure with a gage. Too much or too little freon can cause pressure/freezing problems. Passing gas(!) through the orifice(!) when icing is another sign, hahaha... ws
     
  3. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    The clutch bearing is not on the oiled side with the freon . The bearing can be replaced by using special tools to pull the pulley and then there is a snap ring holding the bearing . Replace many without moving the compressor .
     
  4. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Dont hafta blow the freon? I thought it was on the wet side. Bets' still on the clutch; may some oil got past the seal? Is it squealing all the time or does it cycle? ws
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2020
  5. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=220110&cc=1021464&jsn=414&jsn=414

    This is the Clutch bearing Bill it can be replaced without blowing the charge . It is a sealed bearing . Usually makes noise all the time . Its really a belt pulley bearing . There is a internal bearing that requires blowing the charge to replace .

    Yes he didn't say if it was making noise all the time . Or only when it engages .
     
  6. Luxus

    Luxus Gold Level Contributor

    So does your AC still work? If not, you can just take that belt off (I think the AC compressor is run off of a single dedicated belt). Cheap/easy fix. :D
     
  7. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Yeah.. perhaps the OP and I werent on the same page. Theres 3 bearings in the compressor unit; the rear, the front and the clutch which is spinning full time, AC on or not. Ive personally never had an internal bearing go bad, but the clutch bearing is another story. When I was in the process of getting my AC going (system was open for 10 years, then converted to 134, I went through everything just to be sure including a new (noisy!) china clutch. YEP, they make all that stuff too.

    OK, to check the clutch bearing, pull the belt off. The "clutched" head should free wheel nice and smooth and be silent. If it is, go to step number two and spin the clutched pulley with an electric drill with a wire brush. Should still be silent and freewheel without the drill for maybe a dozen revolutions. If it comes to an immediate halt, it needs replacing OR, if yer good, disassembly cleaning and lube. (Im cheap, what can I say!).

    While the belt is off and the compressor is in the static (no pressure) condition, grab the driven side of the clutch in front of the pulley and turn the compressor by hand. It should turn relatively easily. If not the compressor is tight (bearings , pistons or whatever) and needs R&R.

    The clutch job is well less than an hour and the bearing maybe add 30 minutes to that. The clutch head (electro magnet) was only about 20.00. When reinstalling, it gets pulled into position with a feeler gage on the disc,about .015" to .030" IIRC. ws


    http://bernardembden.com/xjs/comclutch/index.htm





    z77.jpg

    z78.jpg
     
  8. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Thanks so much for the replies as always guys, I will investigate that further.

    The squealing happens even with the AC off. Sometimes it happens when first starting the car (although rarely). I did a drive recently and noticed that when slowing to idle, it would sometimes start squealing, then get much worse when pulling away. I would then come off the gas, gently back on, off again and then it would stop after doing this 2-4 times.
     
  9. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Have you tried changing the belt? Next time it squeals, take a piece of bar soap and hold it up against the taper of the belt. See if that affects the noise. The KISS principle.:)
     
  10. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Hey Larry, yes, belts are all brand new and I've had them checked by the workshop.
     
  11. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    YEAH, BUT did they do the soap test??? Something you can do very easily yourself. With the engine running, watch your hands/fingers, run the soap against all, I think, 3 of the belts. IF the noise ceases to happen you've found your culprit. Don't make any diff. if the belts are new or not. You can get a dried new belt that's been hanging around for awhile.
     
  12. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    I was not aware of the soap test, so have not tried that. We did use some anti-slip spray but that did not make a difference.
     
  13. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    are you sure its not the power steering pump?
     
  14. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Do a video of the clutch squealing... ws
     
  15. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    I am pretty sure, it does not seem to be coming from the power steering side.

    I will do. She has all of her hoses off at the moment, so as soon as they are back on and she if full of coolant again, I will video it when it next happens.
     
  16. nekkidhillbilly

    nekkidhillbilly jeffreyrigged youtube channel owner

    a belt to tight or to loose will squeal as well
     
  17. V8Adam

    V8Adam Well-Known Member

    Hey guys,
    Here is a video of the noise. Might help.

     
  18. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    so at 0:30 youre touching the steering wheel and the noise starts
     
  19. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Was the AC or DEFOG on? If so the clutch is slipping because of a locked up compressor, a bad thermo limiter switch, or a weak magnet to engage the clutch. The very front of the compressor, in FRONT of the belt should be turning. Run a jumper wire to engage the clutch. You can also check the clutch clearance with the motor off. If its way more than the tolerance allowed, say .060" its never gonna lock up and spin the compressor. You dont have "Climatrol" do you? (automatic temperature control). That may involve another heater relay, but the comp. is either on or off.

    Pull the AC belt off and try it. ws
     
  20. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    hard to tell from the video
    but it looks like your a/c compressor is tilted (lower at the valve cover side) in this pic

    not sure if this is standard, but why is there a second groove on the pulley?

    acriv.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2020

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