Adjust air gap?

**K Slice** · 03-10-2014

I've found a million threads across the Internet with people complaining about engine compartment rattle but they never get anywhere. That is to say, they just die off without ever getting good information. Now I know exactly what is going on with my car: the air gap between the clutch and pulley on my a/c compressor is too small. I know this because it rattles like crazy with the ac off but is silent with it on. Vehicle turned off I can spin the clutch and replicate the noise.

So the question is, how do I fix this? I rented those tools from autozone that are suppository supposed to be a clutch puller and installer but I can't get either to thread to the clutch... I'm at a total loss of why to do with it. Worse yet, I've read that most ac shops will just want to replace the compressor rather than fix the issue.

**dsmuts** · 03-10-2014

It's much easier to just swap the compressor. It's like a 30 min job

**Scottydoggs** · 03-10-2014

buy a new compressor. changing the clutch is not for anyone whos never done it before, even with the right tools. it needs to come off the car too.

if your a/c works. take it to a shop ask them to vac out and save your freon. then go home, change your compressor and go back to have it vac tested, and recharged, with your old freon.

yes they will charge you for this, but your beating them out on the labor and parts. and your not letting it go in the air and buying new.

**K Slice** · 03-10-2014

Damn I was hoping there was some way to just adjust this thing back out... Especially on a compressor with no other issues.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-10-2014

most a/c shops wont even change it. my ex worked at a a/c radiator shop. i bought a clutch and went on to trying to swap it out. then failed big time. i called her job and the head guy was like why would you even try? we dont. then he told me to bring it in and they swapped my compressor for free pretty much. helped that my ex was the office manager.

**K Slice** · 03-10-2014

Looks like I'll be saving some money for a new compressor then. Rock Autos got it for 120 looks like. Hopefully its not much harder than the alt to change.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-10-2014

get some spray lube and spray it in the clutch, theres square holes under the belt ring. it will shut it up for a while and keep it from eating its self.

**Slick2500** · 03-10-2014

Yeah only bad thing is that the ac compressor is like $150 to $250 new.......

**dsmuts** · 03-11-2014

if its making noise that's going away by turning on the ac your compressor is bad

**BillBoost37** · 03-11-2014

It can be the air gap or it can be the bearings in the compressor. Do you see any metal shavings on the subframe under it? That's usually more bearing than air gap. I bought the tool to consider this once and haven't used it yet.

Especially after I bought a brand new Delphi compressor from Rockauto for $62 delivered.

I might swap it out this weekend.... might