Burnishing Air Conditioner Clutch?

[Peteco]

Just installed new A/C clutch on 2001 Ford Windstar.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...lutch-bearing-in-vehicle.408540/#post-7658206

The directions call for burnishing the clutch, which I had done on brakes before but never an A/C clutch.

The directions state to rev the engine to 2500 RPM then cycle the clutch rapidly for 50 cycles. I always thought it was not good to cycle the A/C rapidly and to let the A/C line pressure bleed down for 30 seconds so you don't engage the clutch with pressure resistance from the A/C. Thought this could put excessive load on the compressor if done a lot. That's from what I learned 50 years ago so maybe it doesn't apply with newer systems.

 

[BrendanC]

i have never done anything like this. slapped them in, vacuumed and charged. i wouldn’t worry about it personally.

 

[Joba27n]

Agreed. Most I do is check the clutch gap before install. If there is a spec and it's outside the spec i'll adjust to the low end. If there is no spec then i'll adjust to 10 thou-ish

 

[nwjones18]

I got instructions along these lines one time when I was replacing only a clutch. Interesting that I've never seen a new compressor with clutch come with any instructions like this. I believe I did go through the process with no ill effects. Never done that with a new compressor though and also never have had any issues.

 

[Astro14]

Replaced some compressors. Replaced a clutch or two. Never bothered with this because it wasn’t in the service information for those cars.

Does Ford do this with new cars?

Doubt it.

 

[CleanSump]

I've never seen a direction like that. With the half dozen or so I've replaced, both whole compressor and just the clutch, I've just cleaned the faces with brake parts cleaner or acetone, adjusted the gap, checked for function, and started driving.