Ok,

So I get down to the race track on Sunday, and I notice when I pulled in that there was a loud metal grinding sound from under the hood.

We thought we tracked the problem down to a bad ilder pulley, and we oiled it up (as best we could w/o getting any oil on the belt).

After running it for a bit the noise went away.

Tuesday I brought the car to my mechanic, who found 3 bad idler pullerys and replaced them. But said the actual cause of the noise I heard was ... and I think I'm getting this right.... "a bad A/C clutch" or something like that.

He said the part is only about $80, but it'* going to cost a lot in labor to repair... like $800... that'* because they have to recharge the A/C system.

Does any of this make any sense to anyone?

It'* not actually the clutch that'* the problem - it'* the bearing on the drive pully that'* worn and now allows to pulley to touch the clutch assembly.

Last I checked on the bearing it was $30 CDN. The only problem is that nobody wants to do it. If you use the GM puller to remove the clutch assembly, then you do the job in the car without removing the compressor and without draining the freon. All you need to do is remove the lower splash cover and unbolt the compressor and/or bracketing and you can then brace the thing somehow and then remove the clutch assembly.

Again, finding somebody to actually do that might be a different story.

Cheers,

Do it yourself, can't you buy the GM puller and return it? That'* what I'd do. Go to the dealer, they may have a cheaper price, but make sure you use big words, they won't rip you off as much. I've found they all take advantage of stupid people.


-justin

That is Bullshit... you could buy a new compressor and put it in yourself sheesh...

I know nothing about cars..... and I probably don't have the tools to do it.

If someone in their backyard could do the procedure w/o draining the freon, how come a A/C specialist or mechanic can't?

LMAO: My AC clutch bearing went out on my 97...cost me a 100 bucks for a used compressor...I charged it myself for free....i work at a body shop...took an hour total labor...id try a used compressor if u can find a good one...i got lucky....also...most body shops do ac work....alot cheaper than anyone else.

Again... there must be something I'm missing..... if a backyard mechanic can do it in under and hour w/o draining the feron.... why can't a pro?

U have to drain the freon...that doesnt mean it has to be expensive....

You can illegally drain your freon, and you can get the basic recharge kits at autozone or something, they have gauges with pretty colours telling you when you are at full psi. I'd say you could do it. Do you have the FSM? You surely could do it with that, or probably with haynes or chiltons. It can be done.


-justin

Of course when I recently got my EPA 609, The fine for releasing a pound of R-12 was $10K. It'* definatly not a good idea.