Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) A/C clutch

[Stmpplr]

Anyone have a good source for the A/c clutch ? Doesn't look like it should be too bad a job to install... ,(famous last words. . ). Any tricks or tips?

 

[ttbird]

No clutch locations found yet but still looking. Here's a run down on how to fix. Dodge Ram A/C Compressor Clutch. I saw some posts in search forum about A/C clutches, try there. I replaced my compressor last summer when my clutch bearing went south. Checked on just the clutch and for what I found it to cost, I just bought a new compressor from rock auto because mine was over twelve years old and I just thought it was time. I had a small leak for about five years which I could not find. On replacing my compressor the leak went away. On checking old compressor it had a small leak at the shaft behind the clutch. No wonder I could not find it. Hope this info helps.

 

[BDaugherty]

Your profile doesn't say where you're from. Locally, I use Great American Truck Parts in Atlanta. RockAuto also carries a lot of compressor clutches.



Some are a little tricky and require a few special tools to replace. Some are very straight forward and require nothing more than snap ring pliers. It all depends on the compressor.

 

[wcjp]

The cost of the Clutch and special tools was very near the price of a new compressor. He bought a whole new assembly. Consider having a new clutch on an old compressor?

 

[Hammer]

I was just going to note the same thing...



For the price of the A/C compressor clutch and tools to do the work you can buy a new complete one and install it alot easier.

 

[Stmpplr]

So, if I replace the compressor I would loose the charge in the system, and it would need to be vacumed and recharged, correct?

 

[ttbird]

That's the right way to do it. By pulling a vacuum and it holding, you know that you have no leaks and there is no moisture in the system. Will cool better that way. You can go the cheap route and just charge it but that's cutting corners and you may not get it working the way you want. I've done cheap route when it's a quick fix mode on the road and it worked ok, but usually try to do it the right way, cause I'm sure that it's fixed correctly. Just my experience

 

[BDaugherty]

The cost of the Clutch and special tools was very near the price of a new compressor. He bought a whole new assembly. Consider having a new clutch on an old compressor?

Not all compressors require special tools. I've changed a LOT of Sanden style clutches using normal hand tools, snap ring pliers, and a harmonic balancer puller with some different bolts dug from my bolt bin. Sometimes a $70 clutch really is a better option than a $300+ compressor. Other times, you're better off with a new compressor. It always pays to research all your options.

 

[KCvacho]

I replaced the clutch disk on my '96 a few months ago, it takes about ten minutes to change. The disk was purchased from a self service junk yard for about $7. 00. I made the puller for the disk and also for the clutch pulley/bearing, but only needed to replace the disk. There are at least two different clutch designs used. One uses a key to locate the clutch disk and the other uses a spline for location. The spline type does not have puller holes and is easily removed. The one with the three puller holes will usually require the puller to remove. Check the Sanden manual on line, it has a lot of good information on the compressor. Due to the design of the compressor it is not good to push/pull or hammer directly on the drive shaft.

 

[Underwood Tire]

No special tools required. The only "special" tool I used was a cheap pair of snap ring pliers that I bent so I could get to the snap ring without pulling the compressor off.



Read here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...sion-discussions/199119-c-clutch-problem.html



Scott