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Old 09-04-2004, 09:44 PM   #1
ilmaestro
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Default Squeeling AC compressor pulley. What to do?

My friend's 96 L that he purchased earlier this year has had a constant squeeling coming from the engine bay every since he purchased the car. We tried locating it before and sprayed lube in all the pulley areas, but it persisted. So today we took off the a/c and powersteering belts and found that the AC pulley is the culprit.

So, can we replace the AC pulley itself, or does the whole unit need to be replaced? (the squeeling is really bad mind you). We tried spraying silicon lube in there and it really won't go away. Any other suggestions? (pic of ac pulley)



Also, this little guide pulley makes some pretty bad clicking and squeeling also we noticed. Does anyone know if this is a cheap replacement? (pic of guide pulley)



thanks
jonathan
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Old 09-04-2004, 11:35 PM   #2
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i was going to suggest take the AC off, then i noticed you live in CA
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Old 09-04-2004, 11:53 PM   #3
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With other cars I've owned, I've had several idler pulleys fail, but never the AC pulley. Who knows why. If it is feels rough turning, it is probably the problem. The idler pulley on the AC of my Forester looks like that and it doesn't look like a special part. I would check at your local Pep Boys or something for that part, it shouldn't be much. Better to replace it now before it comes off and shoots throught the hood.
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Old 09-06-2004, 10:36 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RockRaceScooby
With other cars I've owned, I've had several idler pulleys fail, but never the AC pulley. Who knows why. If it is feels rough turning, it is probably the problem. The idler pulley on the AC of my Forester looks like that and it doesn't look like a special part. I would check at your local Pep Boys or something for that part, it shouldn't be much. Better to replace it now before it comes off and shoots throught the hood.
Yeah, the idler pulley I can probably find a replacement for. But the real problem is the AC compressor wheel/pulley. That's the one that is squeeling like hell. It turns ok, it just makes a TON of noise. What can be done about this?

jonathan
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Old 09-07-2004, 12:00 AM   #5
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Okay, the AC pulley is a clutch. You sprayed silicone lube on the pulley because it was squealing. Is it now worse? Would you spray silicone on your clutch?

Go get a can of brake cleaner and spray it with that.

Jay Storm
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Old 09-07-2004, 12:04 AM   #6
ilmaestro
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Storm
Okay, the AC pulley is a clutch. You sprayed silicone lube on the pulley because it was squealing. Is it now worse? Would you spray silicone on your clutch?

Go get a can of brake cleaner and spray it with that.

Jay Storm
Haha. I don't think I'd spray silicon lube on my clutch, but I can certainly say it didn't make the problem worse. It's simply bad and it's always been bad. I did find an old message though (posted by mcdade i think?) that mentioned the AC pulley/clutch has sealed internally lubricated bearings... implying that if something goes wrong there's not much you can do about it. Would spraying brake cleaner be just as useless?

Edit: Also, what is recommended for the idler pulley? Should I try to lube that or replace it? And if lubing it, what should I use?

thanks
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Old 09-07-2004, 04:11 AM   #7
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definitely NOT the pulley. change the ac belt.
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Old 09-07-2004, 07:59 AM   #8
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For my Idler pulley I popped the bearing out, took it to Napa and got a replacement bearing. Cost like $7.
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Old 09-07-2004, 01:17 PM   #9
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Outback Sport the clutch may be bad.

It all depends on whether it is a bearing in the clutch or some other item. You can buy rebuilt clutches without changing the compressor.

If the bearing is almost dry or one of the races or an individual bearing is in melt-down mode, it would squeal like crazy.

Last edited by cjfike; 09-07-2004 at 01:19 PM. Reason: additional info
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Old 09-07-2004, 01:21 PM   #10
ilmaestro
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wildchild
definitely NOT the pulley. change the ac belt.
I'm pretty sure it's the pulley. When I spin it freehand with the belt off, it squeels exactly as it does when the car is running. It sounds like a bad bearing more than a rubber squeal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cjfike
It all depends on whether it is a bearing in the clutch or some other item. You can buy rebuilt clutches without changing the compressor.

If the bearing is almost dry or one of the races or an individual bearing is in melt-down mode, it would squeal like crazy.
How can I find out? I have no idea how to take the thing apart without destroying it. And after I did take it apart, how would I know what to replace and where can I go to get it replaced?

Sorry, but never done this before.

jonathan
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Old 09-07-2004, 01:36 PM   #11
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Just want to mention, the AC pulley squeals ALL the time, not just when the AC is on. Dunno if this matters.

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Old 09-07-2004, 01:38 PM   #12
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Hit it with a really big hammer, may not fix it but you're friend will feel much better.... What!?
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Old 09-07-2004, 01:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NWWagon
Hit it with a really big hammer, may not fix it but you're friend will feel much better.... What!?
Well.. if we were to replace it, this would be something we'd certainly try out. But then again, if we replaced it, then the hammer part wouldn't be necessary.

Fixing just the bearing or whatever is wrong would be ideal. Any ideas on this?
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Old 09-07-2004, 05:42 PM   #14
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Nah but seriously I just went to www.Partsamerica.com and looked up AC clutch bearings and you can get a new set for around $30-$40.
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Old 09-07-2004, 06:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NWWagon
Nah but seriously I just went to www.Partsamerica.com and looked up AC clutch bearings and you can get a new set for around $30-$40.
Thanks, I checked it out. Any idea how to take the thing apart and put it back together without totally screwing it up though? I couldn't find any info on taking this thing apart in the alldata manuals. I would want to know if there is just part of the unit I can take apart to do this without having to discharge the AC, since I don't have any discharge facilities in my apartment parking lot

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Old 09-07-2004, 06:48 PM   #16
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That I'm don't know, I've never had to take apart an AC compressor, is there a Haynes or Chilton manual for that car yet I don't know. Good luck!
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Old 09-07-2004, 07:28 PM   #17
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I'll check on a Chilton's. Anyone know how to take it apart to replace the bearing?
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Old 09-08-2004, 06:27 AM   #18
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You should buy a rebuilt A\C clutch. This is one of those times when, you can out and buy an expensive bearing set, but because you do not have the proper tools (like a big expensive press for seating and unseating bearings) are bound for failure. This is an electronic clutch; not missile science, not hard to grasp. But it is one of those things where critical tolerences come into play. Also this has electric contacts that supply power to the part of the clutch that only rotates when the a/c asks for 'more cooling'.

Additionally, when you buy the rebuilt one it should come with a warranty.

This has been the voice of experience talking. Please have as stress free of a life as you wish, and this is one of those times you can avoid it.
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Old 09-08-2004, 06:36 PM   #19
ilmaestro
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If it comes to buying something used or rebuilt, I can get a complete used AC compressor for around $30, so I think I'd do that.

One question though. Does anyone know FOR SURE if the newer 02+ WRX AC compressor is the same as the ones on the older 96 impreza? It appears to be the exact same, but I'd need to know before I buy one

jonathan
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