SuperMotors.net Forums
rss459
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• Livonia, MI, USA |
• Registered on 12/30/2012 |
• 13 posts |
• 1 Vehicle |
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Posted:12/30/2012 20:18 |
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The bearing in my A/C compressor clutch has slowly been going out and with the cold weather it has decided to squeal constantly now. I checked and the bearing when spun felt like a pepper mill, grinding away.
I managed to get the clutch off with minimal effort much to my surprise. Of course since it was easy pulling it off Murphy kicked in and I cannot get the new one on. The old pulley just slides back on (I had to make sure I was not crazy) but the new one is not having any of it. I get it that it needs to be pressed on but the A/C clutch kit from OReilys does not have anything that looks like it can press the new pulley on. Looking at the kits offered by the other guys they all look basically the same. The compressor spline will only take an 8mm bolt.
It seems that even though Ford has put these Visteon FS10 compressors on almost everything for the last 8-9 years finding the tools to fix them is near impossible. I do not want to beat it on unless I have to. My compressor is not damaged and I would like to keep it that way.
Sorry a little windy. Any thoughts would be appreciated. |
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Posted:12/31/2012 06:21 |
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whoa! There is a special tool and O'Reillys should have it or get you one.
*******************
PROUD MEMBER of www.crownvic.net
It's just a SUPER-DUTY Mustang GT Sedan. 198K miles and still rolling HARD.
1997 Crown Victoria P71 SVT *** ex-US Marshall service (the CAR)
STOCK?? I bet it was modified.
13.26 @ 107.24 MPH 1/4 mi w/ me, tools, & full tank of 93 octane
I added CAI, NICHE 19 X 8.5 " wheels with 245/45ZR 19 rubbers, and completely rebuilt the front end with poly bushings, Kooks headers, 2 1/4inch exhaust, TCI 2200-2400 rpm Stall converter
.PLANS:: engine upgrade, 5.4L 2v stroker, rebuild interior in leather w/ buckets, thinking about turbos
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rss459
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• Livonia, MI, USA |
• Registered on 12/30/2012 |
• 13 posts |
• 1 Vehicle |
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Posted:1/1/2013 15:28 |
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I solved my issue and as embarrassing as it is I want to share it to close the loop.
First a couple of things to get off my chest:
For everybody that says it is easier to just replace the compressor, including the guy at Advanced Auto who laughed at me for trying just the clutch, I say BUNK! Here at the tail end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 in the Detroit area the price for the entire clutch assembly is $90-$100. The cost of a new compressor is $180 and of course you have to change out the accumulator to the tune of $70. What say another $100 to have the system evacuated and then recharged? So add all that up and you get $350 vs $100 for the clutch PLUS the extra work? Some guys need help with math I think.
Now the other end of the scale I saw a guy claim if it takes 30 minutes to do it all you stopped and had a beer. To this I say BUNK too. Ford in their infinite wisdom decided to put this part close to the road and the tire so every piece of dirt, salt, and what not hits it. While you may get lucky and it come off easily it is Not coming off and back on in 30 with a PBR in the middle.
Now that I have that off my chest lets get to it;
I am not going into a HUGE amount of detail because lets face it this is documented all over the forums so I am just offering my findings to the fray. The little bolt in the front comes out real easy. It is only torqued to 10ft lbs. My stock nut was 8mm but the replacement Murray one was 10mm. It is pretty easy to wedge a screwdriver to hold the plate. Pull the plate, pull the snap ring, cross your fingers and see if you can pry the pulley off. Be careful not to pry on the magnet. If you get lucky it will break free, if not you need a generic puller. Do not go off and get a a/c clutch kit because for the FS-10 it is just something to rest your head on, seriously. None of the tools in those kits will help you put this sucker on or off. Visteon and Ford just decided to go off on their own and make it impossible to use any tool other that a puller on the bench. I actually found the Ford tech bulletin and if I can find it again I will post it. To remove and install the pulley and the magnet they expect you to use the puller as a press hooked to the mounting brackets on the side of the compressor. You can imagine how well that works installed in the car. The good thing is after you pull the pulley and the magnet if you clean up the shaft with a green scratch pad and or some emery cloth you should be able to use just a wooden block and a mallet to install the magnet (line it up please) and my pulley just slipped on. I saw a guy said he had to use a 1 1/8 socket to drive on the pulley. I can see that. Every one is different I suppose. Replace the split ring, shim up the place per the instructions that come with your clutch and you are done.
Now where did I go wrong? I was trying to shortcut. I did not want to replace the magnet because I was just trying to get it done quick. So I pulled the front plate, pulled the pulley, and tried to put the new pulley on. No way it would get even close. Now literally 2 days in 20ish degree weather in my garage fighting that little so and so and I was ready to take it to a mechanic. One last try and I all of a sudden had an idea that perhaps the magnet was a different size. Well I pulled out my scale and low and behold the magnet was fully 1/8in larger. I was trying to cram the pulley over a magnet that was bigger than the opening. I tried to put the new magnet in the old pulley and nope would not go. So I put on the new magnet, the pulley slid nice as you please, split ring, shims, bolt, Miller time.
One other caveat if you do have to use a puller on the pulley and magnet you will absolutely have to pull the fan assembly out of the way. Mine was an electric fan and let me tell you it was a real PIA to get in and out. Once I figured out the clutch the fan was the hardest part.
One last thing I almost forgot...I had a rattle in the engine on the right side, sounded like a cross between a cat purr and rattling dice. Try and Google THAT sound. Well guess what? Yup it is gone now to. Go figure.
So remember:
Do not be lazy
Always check your new parts against the old ones
Do not be lazy
AC clutch kits are worthless on the FS-10 compressor and their are no special tools other than a couple of cups to use on the puller which seem like a waste to me
Work smart not hard
Do not work in 20 degree cold, it is almost impossible
Did I mention do not be lazy?
If you post for help in a forum always go back and close the loop. Somebody someday will be glad you did.
Lazy? Ok you got that one.
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Posted:1/3/2013 09:24 |
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Thanks that is tons of good info and I think when it gets warmer hear in the spring I need to to the same for mine |
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