Our Volvo XC70 currently has no air conditioning. At some point in it's previous life the AC clutch bearing failed and the resulting wobble meant it contacted the magnet behind and spun it. This wore through the centre shaft of the compressor meaning the gap where the circlip that holds onto the magnet sits is now too large. Ideally, it needs a replacement compressor, however the compressor itself is fine and the system still has gas in it. This was confirmed when I tried to replace the compressor clutch previously and had working ice cold A/C for a few minutes until the clutch went out again.
An OE or OEM compressor is a significant amount of money, and as this compressor is shot anyway, I'm thinking about other ways I could fix this issue. Obviously, if I had access to a TIG and a lathe I could weld the area and make a new groove for the circlip to sit, but I don't and getting a shop to do it would probably cost as much as a new compressor.
Here's the centre shaft of the A/C compressor...
To the right of the 'groove' should be the same OD as the shaft directly to the left of the 'groove'. Is there a technical name for the 'groove'?
As a result, when you put a magnet on it, there's a significant gap around it...
So I'm considering buying another cheap AC clutch kit and JB welding the clutch to the compressor.
The current plan in my head is as follows...
And of course, if anyone else has any better ideas to get this compressor repaired, I'm all ears!
An OE or OEM compressor is a significant amount of money, and as this compressor is shot anyway, I'm thinking about other ways I could fix this issue. Obviously, if I had access to a TIG and a lathe I could weld the area and make a new groove for the circlip to sit, but I don't and getting a shop to do it would probably cost as much as a new compressor.
Here's the centre shaft of the A/C compressor...
To the right of the 'groove' should be the same OD as the shaft directly to the left of the 'groove'. Is there a technical name for the 'groove'?
As a result, when you put a magnet on it, there's a significant gap around it...
So I'm considering buying another cheap AC clutch kit and JB welding the clutch to the compressor.
The current plan in my head is as follows...
- Wrap the magnet around the outer edge with electrical insulation tape until it fits snugly inside the clutch housing.
- Sand the compressor housing behind the magnet and the rear of the new magnet with 80 grit sand paper and clean thoroughly.
- Apply a thin layer of JB weld using a paintbrush to both the compressor housing that sits behind the magnet and the rear of the magnet itself and then apply a thin bead of JB weld onto the back of the magnet.
- Install the clutch housing with the magnet inside onto the compressor and use the centre bolt to hold in place until cured.
- Remove the clutch housing and the electrical tape around the magnet, and then reinstall the clutch as normal.
And of course, if anyone else has any better ideas to get this compressor repaired, I'm all ears!
