Sosasser
Junior Member
Hey guys, just thought I would share my clutch replacement experience with you. Hopefully it will help out someone else with the same problem.
First thing was the diagnosis. The AC was not working, nor was the clutch engaging. Next step check the refrigerate and make sure there is pressure, there is. Next test for power going to the compressor, and there is. So my diagnosis was that the clutch magnet might be burned up. Looked on ebay and sure enough found a brand new one for like $50 and went for it.
Now the challenge of changing the clutch without pulling the whole compressor out and lettingany refrigerate out. Well I'm here to tell you that it can be done. Not only that, but I did not remove the airbox, and did not replace the serpentine belt or tensioner. Most of the work is done from under the truck.
I used a 1/2" ratchet to hook onto the belt tensioner from underneath. Pull the ratchet down and remove the serpentine belt off the ac pulley. Let the ratchet rest there until it's time to put the belt back on. I used a little cheater bar on my ratchet to get a little more leverage.
There is a 13mm nut on the fan shroud near the ac compressor that needs to be removed so you can move the shroud a bit.
The 4 bolts holding the ac compressor in place will need to be loosened up all the way so the ac compressor can be moved around some, but that can wait until it is necessary.
Now you can take off the clutch. Mine had a 8mm bolt on the center. The new one has a 10mm. There is 3 pieces to the clutch and a snap ring, a small washer and the bolt. The hardest part is taking off the magnet and putting the new one on. I left the compressor bolted in place until I had to put the new magnet on. While it is still bolted on, it was relatively easy to pry off the old magnet. To put the new one on, I put the whole assembly on, minus the small washers, and tightened the bolt in the center to press the magnet on most of the way. Take the bolt back off, and the pulley and use a block of wood and hammer and whatever you need to get the magnet all the way seated. Once the magnet is where it should be, now you can put the rest of the clutch together. The 2 new thin washers go in the splined outer plate. Put some blue lock tight on the bolt and tighten her down. Now you can put the compressor back on and slip the belt back in place. Mine worked out good. Hopefully this will help the next guy.
First thing was the diagnosis. The AC was not working, nor was the clutch engaging. Next step check the refrigerate and make sure there is pressure, there is. Next test for power going to the compressor, and there is. So my diagnosis was that the clutch magnet might be burned up. Looked on ebay and sure enough found a brand new one for like $50 and went for it.
Now the challenge of changing the clutch without pulling the whole compressor out and lettingany refrigerate out. Well I'm here to tell you that it can be done. Not only that, but I did not remove the airbox, and did not replace the serpentine belt or tensioner. Most of the work is done from under the truck.
I used a 1/2" ratchet to hook onto the belt tensioner from underneath. Pull the ratchet down and remove the serpentine belt off the ac pulley. Let the ratchet rest there until it's time to put the belt back on. I used a little cheater bar on my ratchet to get a little more leverage.
There is a 13mm nut on the fan shroud near the ac compressor that needs to be removed so you can move the shroud a bit.
The 4 bolts holding the ac compressor in place will need to be loosened up all the way so the ac compressor can be moved around some, but that can wait until it is necessary.
Now you can take off the clutch. Mine had a 8mm bolt on the center. The new one has a 10mm. There is 3 pieces to the clutch and a snap ring, a small washer and the bolt. The hardest part is taking off the magnet and putting the new one on. I left the compressor bolted in place until I had to put the new magnet on. While it is still bolted on, it was relatively easy to pry off the old magnet. To put the new one on, I put the whole assembly on, minus the small washers, and tightened the bolt in the center to press the magnet on most of the way. Take the bolt back off, and the pulley and use a block of wood and hammer and whatever you need to get the magnet all the way seated. Once the magnet is where it should be, now you can put the rest of the clutch together. The 2 new thin washers go in the splined outer plate. Put some blue lock tight on the bolt and tighten her down. Now you can put the compressor back on and slip the belt back in place. Mine worked out good. Hopefully this will help the next guy.
