I noticed upon startup, there is a clanking noise coming near the AC clutch. When i turn on the AC it goes away. what is the proper way to repair this?
Ryan1
I had and repared the same problem about a year ago. You need a You can get a universal A/C clutch puller/installer, you need it because of the clearance you are working with. So you should be able to loan one for free from a parts store (Canadian Tire for me).
For me this kit only contained the puller/installer to remover the A/C clutch. I had to buy the A/C clutch holder to remove the nut which is in the center of the A/C clutch. The tool looks like a Y and it's used to hold the clutch in place while you remove the nut. You can buy a new A/C clutch from GM for like $70 CAD. You need the remove the pass side tire and remove the plastic wheel well to get at the clutch. Takes about 2-3 hours to replace if you handy on working on cars. It would definitely be cheaper then replacing the entire A/C compressor or having GM replace it, I think at the time they quoted me like 400 to 500 to do the clutch job.
Here's a link to see what the tools look like:
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/air_conditioning/air_conditioning.htm
SO i know i need the Ac clutch puller and the Y holder, but do I also need the Hub clutch installer? did that come from Canadian Tire too?
Ryan1
or just rip off the ac compressor and put on a new one. simple.
if i replace teh compressor, will that mean i have to evacuate the system? I don't want to do that at all
Ryan1
i'd just go to a ac shop n get them to shim it. i had to do it when i first bought my car and i have not had a problem since. it's really not that much either.
Yes the clutch installer came in the kit from Canadian Tire. In the kit the tools are label which are the installer and which are the pullers. Because the kit is a universal kit it will have different sizes for the puller and installer tools but only one will fit your A/C clutch. Took me a little time to figure out how they work but once I did I found it easy. Just remember to leave a little gap once you install the new A/C clutch, here's the specs that I used:
Standard clearance between armature plate and magnet
clutch
0.35 – 0.6 mm (0.014 – 0.023 in.)
If it was me I wouldn't replace the compressor either. It cost much more compared to the clutch to replace the compressor. And yes you do have to evacuate the system when replacing the compressor, you don't when just doing just the clutch. You will need special tools/gauges to evacuate the system then recharge the system when you put the new compressor on, so even more $$. Also you know the compressor is good because it is blowing cold air when you turn the A/C on, so why replace it.
