Anyone replaced an A/C clutch bearing?

[lzrj]

Changes my belts a few months back and now a slight squeak (like a chirp) has started in the pulley of the A/C compressor pulley. I'm afraid I might had tighten the belt a little too much and put too much force on the pulley bearing over time. Cant find much on this topic. I can get a bearing for $35-$40 or an entire replacement AC for $250. Has anyone replaced the bearing who can give me any tips? Can you leave the AC in if you just replace the bearing? Just need to get this chirping sound to stop. Thanks

[fueler]

your 04 has different motor than my 99 but on the 99 the bearing is not replaceable due to the compressor design

[lzrj]

From what I heard, the bearing in the 3.5L compressor is replaceable. I'm hoping someone has advise on this so I don't have to spend all the extra cash on a new compressor.

[cr4west]

I successfully replaced my AC bearing in my '99 QX4. There is an excellent video on youtube showing how it is done, just search "Denso 10PA clutch bearing replacement ".
The replacement bearing is a SKF or NAPA AC2 . Other bearing numbers might be SKF40GS11DS or NSK 40BD219DUK or Nachi 40BGS11G2DS. It cost me $44.
I also purchased a cheap hydraulic press from harbor freight for $60 and a die grinder diamond points set for $9 to remove the 3 shot peen marks holding the bearing in the clutch disk assembly.
Do not remove the entire AC compressor, the bearing and clutch dish come off easily from inside the engine bay! Be carefull when doing this because the spring clip holding the clutch disk in place may fly off and get lost.
Result, no more chattering or squealing.

[lzrj]

Thanks cr4west. How long did it take you to do the entire job?

[cr4west]

I spent about a half day on it in total. The most time consuming part was carefully grinding off where they shot peened the edge of the the clutch disk bearing socket to allow the old bearing to be pressed out.
Easy to work on since the compressor remains in place, only the clutch disk with bearing is removed. No neeed to drain and re-charge the AC system.
Old bearing will press out with a loud "BANG"

The tools (Harbor Freight) that I used were:
Air powered 1/4" hand die grinder Item #92144 $10 (a dremel tool would also work)
hydraulic press - 6 Ton A-Frame Bench Shop Press Item #1666 $70
10 Piece Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set Item #95853 $30
10 Piece 1/4" Shank Rotary Diamond Point Grinding Set Item #31502 $9
hammer and a small diameter punch to shot peen the new bearing in place
small pulley puller to loosen the clutch disk after removing the 10mm shaft bolt

A bad AC bearing can generate a lot of noise gradually over time. It was surprising how quiet the engine became after the new AC compressor bearing was installed.

...next project, the alternator bearings

[lzrj]

That's great information. I think I will tackle the job later this week. My local AutoZone has the bearing for $22. I'm sure I can find a friend with a press since I don't have one. I have everything else I need though.

I guess the only thing I'm confused about it how to shot peen the bearing back. How does using a punch create the shot peen?

[cr4west]

The back of the bearing is held in place in the socket of the AC clutch disk by deforming the edges of the socket metal (cast iron?). Mine was done in 3 places around the edge with what looks like a chisel mark. This way they eliminated the need for a circlip or a flange to capture the bearing. Pretty sure they did not expect anyone attempt to replace the bearing with this design. More profit in selling you the entire AC compressor. I noticed there is even a youtube video showing how to put all new seals in the AC compressor as well saving lots of $$.

[lzrj]

I got what you are saying now . Thanks for all your useful information on this subject.

[adm999]

cr4west, I tried to remove the clutch on a '00 infiniti qx4 and miserably failed. I can only go as far as removing the nut on the hub. How do you get the hub off? Did you take any pix during your DYI?
Thanks in advance,

[blkqx4]

This might be a dead thread but i have manage to get the wheel of the compressor and also order the nsk 40bd219duk bearing which i found on amazon and ebay $10-$25 i got the amozon for $10 will have to grind like 8 notches holding the old bearing in place is not just on only 3 as pointed out before. I will email any one pictures if interested i dont know how to upload them to the thread

[chipahoy]

seems to me like an awful amount of work. just purchase the entire clutch/pulley assembly as a unit on ebay. $122. use an ac spanner wrench, remove the center nut, slide out the old pulley/clutch assembly, slide in the new one, reconnect plug and bingo, your'e done.....

[chipahoy]

related question. anyone know how to remove those plugs/pins in the clutch plate so you can screw in the clutch holding tool? tried vice grips, screwdriver, nada. weird.

[Kennyp]

Hey guys so i'm new here ( Registered finally today )but I am in the middle of replacing my AC Clutch bearing on my 99 Pathfinder as we speak... So far so good.. Had to order the bearing Santech MT2029.

Used the folllowing tools

Autozone rentals:
27000 clutch holding tool
27119 race and bearing push set
27011 2-3 ton pulley pull tool

Other:
10mm socket
14mm socket
90deg Angle Pick tool
Ring pliers set

The normal stuff had to be moved outta the way
Unbolted main fan from clutch left clutch in place...pulled fan shround..left radiator in place.removed AC serpentine belt.

Removed front clutch plate bolt using clutch holder...used a small angle pick tool to reach into clutch plate at center roughly and pulled right off.

Then had to clean up 20 years of grime to see lock ring and removed it with ring pliers. Then had to use pulley removal tool to pull pulley. Electromagnet can stay on truck.

Now the reason most people say this can't be replaced is the 8 small dents made to hold the bearing in place.. I placed the pulley flat on ground with the belt side againts the edge of a curb and used a small chisel to knock these dimples back. Then turned the pulley over balanced it over 2 2x4s with the bearing open to the center. Used the 27119 bearing push set to direct impact only on bearing. And then used a rubber dead blow mallet to hammer out the bearing.. Took some aggression but... Hey the pathfinder deserved it for breaking lol... Once u push past the 8 dimples it goes pretty fast...

Plan on using the OLD BEARING as my push tool to reinstall new one... With one small addition.... Since the dimples are knocked off i plan to add red locktite to inside of the pulley and outside of the bearing to ensure it stays put... Since its locked in with a ring anyway and then bolted with outter clutch plate this may be overkill but... Hey I wanna be sure.

Now for my opinion of the job... I have read 3 different options on repairing this... Ill list them from expensive to cheapest..

1) Swap entire compressor (why it ain't broke and costs 250+ freon swap)

2) swap entire clutch assembly ( Again why it ain't broke and costs 80ish+)

3) Swap Bearing - my end cost will be less than $20 bux since I owed all the hand tools and rented the rest... And it will be fixed long after I sell the truck.

Do what you think is best but Including time spent sourcing rentals and bearing im 3 hours and $20 bux in ... And My money is more important to me than my time...

Never let someone tell you it can't be done... Everywhere I looked said replace it all... Nope.



P.S. I have sourced repair Info from this site since purchasing the truck last year felt it was time I added some helpful info that might help another Nissan Owner... Thanks to Nico for everything they have helped me with...

[Kennyp]

Wanted to add these are the specs of the MT2029 Bearing in the event u can't locate it the dimensions should help u locate a substitute...

CWV618 compressor Early Production compressor 40mm ID x 62mm OD x 24mm Thick

[rgk]

If the bearings are going or have gone bad, won't they end up in your receiver/dryer and cause all sorts of trouble in your a/c lines?

Also, is it true that if your compressor is squealing when NOT engaged, the clutch is bad, and when it squeals and/or locks up when engaged, it is the compressor bearings going bad?

[Kennyp]

This was not my experience...I had squeeling regardless just got louder when engaged... I can't see how anything would get in the dryer..

I was able to confirm a Bad bearing by removing belt and spinning pulley by hand when not engaged.. I could barely spin it and could feel grinding.

Once the Bearing was out I couldn't even spin the bearing it was so bad.

[GrubyFngaz]

Don't know if Kennyp is still around but just wanted to give a big shout-out. My bearing was making some bad news and you guys just saved me about $700. Spent $20 on a bearing, rented all the tools he said and it's done. Good as new. It did take quite a while. But I would consider myself a novice. Thanks guys for all the help.