Need help Removing A/C compressor

[tomthumb12345]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of removing my A/C compressor.
So far I've removed the the four bolt that hold the compressor, i also remove the
connectors along with the High and Low Line.
Anyway, the compressor still won't come out. I read on an old thread saying that the sub-frame must be lowered.
I have no idea how to do this. Can anyone give me any pointers? Is this something i need to take to a shop, or can i do it myself?

[paranoidjack]

You don't need to lower the subframe.

I just did this the other day pulling my engine.

Get a ratcheting 10mm open end, remove the crankshaft fan. Might be something else in the way, but you DO NO have to lower the subframe. I promise.

[tomthumb12345]

Thanks ParanoidJack for the reply.
Where is the crankshaft fan located? After i remove the Crank-Shaft fan is there anything else
i need to do in order to remove the Compressor.
I've checked many times, there is absolutely nothing holding it.
only problem i have is the size. It is too big to drop from top and bottom.

[maxnix]

Are you using the FSM?

[tomthumb12345]

Yes.
The FSM mention nothing about sub frame or crankshaft fan. All it state is that the Four bolts should be removed.
Am my looking at the wrong section?

[paranoidjack]

The crankshaft fan is not hard to miss - it's the huge fan on the front of your engine!

It's held on with 4 10mm bolts.

Like i said above, GO to the parts store, and BUY an "open end 10mm ratcheting wrench."

Like this:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CE0Q8gIwAw#

Take those bolts off, the fan and shroud covering it will need to come out, and take it out the top. I'm not sure - I also had my radiator out. Hopefully that's not the case for you. If it is, it's probably still easier than the subframe, but you will need to safely drain your coolant and have the system refilled and bled.

[maxnix]

Yes.
The FSM mention nothing about sub frame or crankshaft fan. All it state is that the Four bolts should be removed.
Am my looking at the wrong section?

No illustration?

[tomthumb12345]

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1999_Q4 ... Q45/ha.pdf
PAGE (HA 106) is the page i used. Am i looking at the wrong page.

ParanoidJack, i'll try that when i get home.

[tomthumb12345]

The compressor still wont come out.
Hey Jack, i either don't understand what you mean or you didn't understand what i said. Can you elaborate? I went under the hood again, and from what i see The CRANK Shaft Fan is no where near compressor. If the compressor came out, the fan would not deter one way or the other. The only thing i can think of removing is oil-filter housing. I would prefer not to mess with that.
Anyone done this before, or have any ideas?

[paranoidjack]

I've done this before, probably more recently than anyone on this forum, and I have a few ideas

1) Remove crankshaft shroud and fan.
2) POSSIBLY remove radiator.
3) Pull compressor UP out of the car, not down.

[tomthumb12345]

ParanoidJACK, Thanks for ur input. I know ur trying to help, but hear me out when i tell you
that the Compressor is not coming out from how you describe. I've had two other people come over
and verify. The FAN BLADE or CRANK SHAFT IS THE LEAST OF MY PROBLEM.
It seem like what holding it is the OIL FILTER HOUSING.
Did you remove the compressor while the engine was still intact in the car?
I'm not sure if the year Q's make any difference. Mine is 99Q45t. what yr is ur?

Can anyone else Chime in pLEASEEeeeeee

[paranoidjack]

The engine was in the car. All that was removed was the radiator and crankshaft fan.

I'm putting the new engine in on Thursday. I'll take some pics of the compressor going in AFTER the engine is installed.

[paranoidjack]

I'll admit when I'm wrong

Dude, so sorry. Put the new engine and transmission in, went to put A/C compressor in, and realized it didn't fit. YES, I did remove it before with the engine in...HOWEVER - I lifted the engine up with the hoist a few inches to slide it out.

You *could* try unbolting the engine mounts and jacking the engine up a few inches. BE SURE not to go too high or you'll come off the mounts and terrible things will ensue...otherwise, yeah, you're dropping the subframe. I'd lift the motor before dropping the subframe, only because I've never dropped the subframe and those are some MEAN looking bolts.

[tomthumb12345]

Thanks for looking out JACK. Atleast you tried to help.

I had a couple of mechanics look at the car. Two of them gave me some ideas.
They said i could try sub-frame way. But they would recommend it.
They said i should One; Try removing the Bracket that hold the Compressor.
Two, remove the Steering Stabilizer(bottom stabilizer bar).

I will try one of the two and post which is one worked.

[paranoidjack]

I'd just lift the engine dude. You just need a floor jack. Unthread the bolts most of the way so it doesn't lift off the mounts, and jack it up safely (wood etc on safe lift points, where the engine and transmission meet is best). The jack will have no problem with the 600-700 pounds of transmission/engine. Leave the transmission mount intact it has alot of movement. I'm not 100% sure you'll have enough room, as I lifted it out without transmission on it.

[tomthumb12345]

Final note on removal of compressor.
The only way the compressor comes out(WITHOUT LIFTING ENGINE) is if you remove the bracket that holds the compressor.
I had to remove and install compressor twice because i forgot a bolt.
First time took 5hrs
second time 1hr 30min

[maxnix]

Thanks for the follow up!

[paranoidjack]

Yes, follow ups are rare but VERY important! Thanks Tom!

[tomthumb12345]

its all good fellows, I'll try and post How to later. I tried taking some pics
during the process, but my hands were already dirty and there was no one around.
I'll mention a few important things.
1. Make sure you tape or plug all A/C hose when after removing.
2.When removing A/C Bracket you might wana get extra hand. Reason is bracket and compressor will drop
drop at the same time. So one person need to hold Compressor while the other person wiggle bracket out.
I did it myself but i could have save some time with extra hand.
3.When you re-install Bracket, make sure A/C pulley is attached to the bracket. I didn't do this so i had to take everything apart jus to install a/c pulley .