97 Buick Lesabre A/C ?

[divo]

I have A 1997 Lesabre Limited. The A/C clutch just started making a grinding noise while the car is running. I popped the hood and can see metal shavings on the clutch. If I turn on the defrost and the clutch engages, the noise stops. It works perfectly while the clutch is engaged. So I figure its a bad clutch. I just searched and could not find a souce for just the clutch. It seems I have to buy the whole compressor/clutch. I sure would like to just replace the clutch. Is that doable? If so, where can I buy just the clutch?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: 97 Buick Lesabre A/C ?

You need to replace the clutch assembly. When new, the clutch and pully surfaces are machined flat. Years of use, cycling on and off, wears grooves into the surface of both. If you replace just the clutch (new flat machined surface) it will not make enough surface contact on the grooved and worn pully surface, results,,,poor holding power, and possible/likely slipping under high pressure restarts. <br /><br />If the compressor is noisy when running it may be temporarely locking up, which could possibly result in a damaged clutch hub. Replacing the clutch assembly may be a temporary fix. It may need a compressor assembly.<br /><br />O'Reilly's sells clutch assemblies at a reasonable price.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: 97 Buick Lesabre A/C ?

you'll probably want to buy or borrow a clutch puller kit too. The kits have instructions and torque specs for various compressors and give you the airgap specification for when you put the new one on.<br /> Can it be done in the car?... not my car - no room - but not sure about Lesabre.. hopefully