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ac compressor pulley going bad

lets see. 95 GMC vandura 3500 w/ 454 engine. problem: i think my air conditioner compressor pulley bearing is going bad. its making a fairly loud metallic whirring noise with the engine running and feels like its not lubricated when i spin it by hand altho it spins freely. i saw a exploded view of a compressor unit that had a nut holding the clutch hub on. mine doesnt have a nut, but i do see a "key" in there. i have a few questions i'd really appreciate the answers to: (1) can i pull the hub off with a gear puller? is that how its designed, just pressed on or should there be a nut there and its missing?

(2) are there any internet sites where i might find an exploded view of my air conditioning compressor?

(3) i'm not averse to just pulling the entire compressor assembly out and replacing it with a "dummy" pulley. sorry, i dont know the proper name. i assume such an item is available. is a dummy pulley a standard item i can find at autoparts stores? i dont think i'm ready to try to replace the compressor at this time. i need to be on the road soon and will have more time later.

btw, i'm rather surprised "they" design a car that cant opperate just because an air conditioning part broke.

i hope i get some replies. thanks. (and i apologize for the fake name). john

Reply to
RokkyRakkoon
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It not an option to just skip the A/C pulley with a shorter belt?

I think you have to remove a seal and evacuate the system to replace that bearing. And you'll need a GM A/C clutch tool, if it's like I'm thinking.

If nothing else, throw a junkyard compressor ($30?) on it and go. That's what I paid for the last radial R134 compressor I bought salvage, off a '96 Sonoma...

Reply to
jeffcoslacker

nope. just one belt size available and looking at the configuration, i can see how a shorter belt wouldnt work. i hope its just the hub, then a snap ring, then the pulley. if it gets more complicated than that, i dont think i'll be able to handle it. i'm a low skill level backyard mechanic and looking at the mass of pipes and fittings worries me. but, i can see using a junkyard compressor at least as a dummy pulley might work to get me where i need to be. then i'll have plenty of time to do it right. good suggestion thanks.

Reply to
RokkyRakkoon

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Reply to
aarcuda69062

sorry, i couldnt open your link. thank you and jeff for your replies. i have since found out that the substitute pulley is called a bypass pulley and apparently readily available. this should solve my problem until i get to where i have more time to fix it properly. j.

Reply to
RokkyRakkoon

Factory book shows a nut,

Remove nut, then use a special puller to remove the clutch plate and hub. Then use another puller to remove bearing and rotor. Then you press out the old bearing. Press in the new one and stake it in place. Then use an installer and put the bearing and hub back in. Reinstall hub and nut. Recharge and enjoy.

Personally I would replace the compressor with a good used one. If not get the idler pulley and bracket assembly off a vehicle without A/C.

Oh and FYI There are a LOT of vehicles out there that operate the same way.

Reply to
Steve W.

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