98 GTP A/C Clutch

**maxster** · 09-12-2008

I have a couple of questions -

When I turn on the car - the ac clutch makes a metal to metal grinding sound - after 5-10 secs or so the noise goes away. I think the AC compressor comes on and the sound goes away. From the inside if I turn OFF the AC the sound is back - If I turn ON the AC again the sound goes away. The AC is cooling fine just the very annoying sound.

What exactly is wrong with my A/C clutch - bearing, etc?

Can I change the clutch only without emptying the AC gas? It is better to change the entire compressor with a rebuild?

Thanks.

**Reptile** · 09-12-2008

Usually when the clutch starts to go, it squeals. A grinding sounds like a bearing issue and may require replacement of the whole compressor. If you get under the car and check for shavings, and you have metal on the outside it's probably time to get you a new one.

**maxster** · 09-18-2008

Originally Posted by Reptile

Usually when the clutch starts to go, it squeals. A grinding sounds like a bearing issue and may require replacement of the whole compressor. If you get under the car and check for shavings, and you have metal on the outside it's probably time to get you a new one.

I had a much closer look - it looks like the clutch itself is rubbing against the the pulley body when disengaged - I turned the clutch by hand with the car off and it rubs. So that is why when AC is on I don't hear anything.

So when the clutch is engaged the clutch itself also turns with the pulley and no noise - but when I turn off the the AC the clutch part does not turn but because it is touching the pulley body it is making a rubbing noise.

Any way I can just adjust the spacing?

Thanks.

**Zef_66** · 09-18-2008

Originally Posted by maxster

I had a much closer look - it looks like the clutch itself is rubbing against the the pulley body when disengaged - I turned the clutch by hand with the car off and it rubs. So that is why when AC is on I don't hear anything.

So when the clutch is engaged the clutch itself also turns with the pulley and no noise - but when I turn off the the AC the clutch part does not turn but because it is touching the pulley body it is making a rubbing noise.

Any way I can just adjust the spacing?

Thanks.

To me, sounds like your clutch is bad. I think you might be able to buy a new clutch and rent a puller from the parts store. But I have personally never done it. When mine started squealing, I replaced the entire compressor.