a/c clutch 1996 explorer

[raaizin]

I have a '96 explorer 4.0 193k miles on it. While driving home with the defroster on today I heard a squealing from front of car, sort of like the belt tensioner pulley. The squealing stopped after a few minutes. When I got hope I was looking under the hood and I noticed my A/C wasnt engaging at all. Probably the A/C clutch right?

Is it possible to replace just the A/C clutch with normal hand tools?

Can I run it without fixing till spring without fear of it seizing up. It is winter here and dont need a/c right now.

I have owned car sincwe new and only recharged A/C once in 12 years

 

[Quest]

A/C clutch pack requires skills and most of the time, some specific tools that ordinary folks may not possess.

I would go find a factory service manual to see if it comes with A/C compressor clutch rebuild instructions and then go from there.

 

[raaizin]

My Haynes manual does not show how to replace clutch assembly.

I have a service manual on CD, I have too look for it tommorrow.

The clutch spins freely without any excess play. Do you think I can drive car without fear it will bind and snap belt???

 

[BuickGN]

Defrost won't work as good. Are you sure the compressor didn't let go and kill the clutch?

 

[Chris142]

1.Remove bolt in middle of clutch front plate. Easiest if you turn key on to engage the clutch so it won't spin.
2. Turn key off. Remove clutch front plate, there may be a shim or 2 behind the plate where it slides onto the shaft.
3.Remove belt.
4. Remove snap ring that holds pully to the nose cone.
5. Pully "should" slide off now. If it won't you may need to use a puller to get it off. It's supposed to slide on/off but 200K of dirt/ grease may make it hard to remove.

6.Pry off clutch coil.

Now with that said if its squeeling the belt with the AC or Defroster off then the bearing may be bad in the pully. If it squeels with the Ac or defroster on the compressor is beginning to sieze. Unplugging the compressor will keep it from engaging.