Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) OK Guys - How do I get my AC clutch off???

[SLightfoot]

This was positively frustrating today.



My AC clutch is pooched for some reason... when I engage the clutch, the pulley just inside the belt pulley starts turning properly, but does not turn the shaft itself.....



Tried removing the clutch assembly - I couldn't get that darned thing off to save my life. I removed the nut and tried prying the outer plate off, but that sucker is ON for good. - what's the trick?



Here's a pic for reference:



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Thanks,



Shawn

 

[BigPapa]

Shawn,



Take the nut off and screw some bolts in the holes the arrow is pointing to. I think they are 6mm (may be 1/4-20, I can't remember!) and they need to be @1. 25" long. They will contact the nose of the compressor housing and push the clutch face off the shaft. DO NOT strike, pry, or pull on the shaft. There will be shims under the clutch face to space it out from the pulley. I think the gap is @. 020"-. 030". You just want to make sure it doesn't contact the pulley until it's turned on.



The pulley is actually pressed onto the compressor housing. There is a large internal snap ring under the clutch face and the electrical coils. I went to O'reilly's and bout a cheap pair of large tip snap ring pliers and bent them where I could reach inside the pulley and get the snap ring off. You can pry against the compressor housing to remove the pulley, just pry a little in one place and move to the opposite side and pry some more. Just keep moving it around because the pulley is on a bearing thats pressed on the housing.



Good luck,



Scott

 

[SLightfoot]

Thanks Scott-



One question though - wouldn't putting bolts throught there put excess pulling pressure on the shaft? I was thinking that it might come off like a gear using a gear puller, where it is pulled off by pressing against the shaft as opposed to pushing from the housing.



Maybe my understanding of how it fits on there is erroneous.



thanks,



Shawn

 

[RoryTek]

Where do you get just the clutch assy? Everyone wants to sell the whole compressor.

 

[BigPapa]

Shawn,



From my understanding those holes are there specifically to pull the plate off. It worked fine for mine, I've pulled it twice, and my compressor is still working great, no leaks.



RoryTek,



I got mine from my dealer. I think it was for a later year, like a '97 or '98. They did not offer the clutch seperately for my '95. The only difference was the plug shape on the electrical connection.



Scott

 

[BBliss]

dodge dealer has clutches for the compressor for the 24v motor, they are around 165. 00

 

[litespeed]

dodge dealer has clutches for the compressor for the 24v motor, they are around 165. 00

Are they all the same on the 24 valves up to 2002? I'm about to do the same thing (on the engine).



How did you remove the big nut on the front of the shaft? Is there a place to lock the shaft (so it doesnt spin)? Or is there an allen key in that little hole in the front of the shaft? Are the threads backwards or standard?



Thanks,



AJ

 

[BigPapa]

Are they all the same on the 24 valves up to 2002? I'm about to do the same thing (on the engine).



How did you remove the big nut on the front of the shaft? Is there a place to lock the shaft (so it doesnt spin)? Or is there an allen key in that little hole in the front of the shaft? Are the threads backwards or standard?



Thanks,



AJ

AJ,



I'm pretty sure they're all the same. The possible exception being the plug.



I'm also pretty sure the nut is standard right hand threads. I screwed the bolts into the puller screws and used a large screw driver to hold the plate to remove the nut.



Scott