Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 51 to 75 of 81

Thread: Replacing ac compressor clutch BEARING

  1. #51
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    100
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    I just tried to do this today, I got the 10mm bolt off just fine, but the compressor hub/cap would not budge... how did you guys take it off so easily! I threw in the towel after about 45 minutes of swearing and jamming screwdrivers between the pulley and hub/cap.

  2. #52
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,600
    My Cars
    2x 97 M3/4, 05 530i
    It'll eventually come off. You can't just pry in one spot- you have to try and get it from opposite sides at the same time, otherwise it'll just bind on the shaft from all the side load you put on it. If you pull on it evenly, it just slides right off. It's just tricky to get it right.

  3. #53
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Atlanta/Canada
    Posts
    1,396
    My Cars
    '00 M5 '02 325xit
    Did you get the snapring off first?

  4. #54
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Chicagoland
    Posts
    828
    My Cars
    '00 528iA, '01 325iA
    Quote Originally Posted by jfboy View Post
    Did you get the snapring off first?
    That would definitely help...

  5. #55
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,600
    My Cars
    2x 97 M3/4, 05 530i
    Well, the snapring is what holds on the pulley. You have to pull the front disc off before you can get to the snapring, which is what whatthedealee is talking about, I assume....

  6. #56
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    100
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    Yah I can't even get the front disc off...

    Quote Originally Posted by kevinwilly View Post
    Well, the snapring is what holds on the pulley. You have to pull the front disc off before you can get to the snapring, which is what whatthedealee is talking about, I assume....

  7. #57
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    North Potomac, MD
    Posts
    1,054
    My Cars
    2011 E90 328i
    BMW uses Japanese compressors. You should be able to buy a complete new clutch assembly.

    Also, when you put the old one back together, make sure the unengaged clutch spacing is correct. If it's too much, you'll get symptoms of no AC after the system warms up. When it cools down a little the clutch will engage. When really hot it won't.

    Sorry, I used to know if for a Saab (also Japanese compressor), but I don't know it for a BMW.

    - - - Updated - - -

    BMW uses Japanese compressors. You should be able to buy a complete new clutch assembly.

    Also, when you put the old one back together, make sure the unengaged clutch spacing is correct. If it's too much, you'll get symptoms of no AC after the system warms up. When it cools down a little the clutch will engage. When really hot it won't.

    Sorry, I used to know if for a Saab (also Japanese compressor), but I don't know it for a BMW.

  8. #58
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    100
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Coupe
    I got the front disc off, found out you can use a larger size bolt and screw it into the same hole, the front disc will pull itself off.

    Once I got that off, the snapring snapped in half... then the pulley won't come off the shaft, seems like it is binding at the end... so now i'm probably just gonna replace the whole compressor at this point.

    Quote Originally Posted by whatthedealee View Post
    Yah I can't even get the front disc off...

  9. #59
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,600
    My Cars
    2x 97 M3/4, 05 530i
    The snaprings are pretty fragile. I thought I had a bad compressor, but then noticed there was play in the pulley, which was making the whole thing bind and making the belt squeal.

    I decided to look at the bearing and found out the snapring was just broken. I had a spare so I replaced it and I've been working perfect since.

    The pulley/bearing should come off pretty easily. Sometimes there's a little bit of rust on the end of the shaft which makes it hard to get started... but with a decent prybar (again, working from both sides at once) it should come right off if you've got the whole snapring off.

    Compressors are expensive. And R134a will be at least 35-40 bucks. I'd just get a new bearing and snapring if you can- but then again I don't know what your original symptoms were.....

  10. #60
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Offshore GOM
    Posts
    3,205
    My Cars
    E36 M3's
    Does anyone have a part number for the snap-ring?
    Dakar 95 M3 (4/95 manufacture)
    Techno Violet 97 M3 (12/96 manufacture)
    Alpine White 16 535i M-Sport (10/15 manufacture)
    _________________________________
    "I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence." -- A. Senna
    Illegitimus Non Tatum Carborundum

  11. #61
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3

    Replacing ac compressor clutch BEARING

    I don't believe the snap ring will have a BMW p/n, and won't be in realoem, Generally, these are standard parts and a good auto parts store or hardware store should have them. Outside chance you will have to go to a fastener store.
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 05-13-2017 at 06:41 PM.

  12. #62
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    606
    My Cars
    '91 318is
    bumping this up...only thread i could find with this information

    so does anyone have a good source for the replacement bearing

  13. #63
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3
    I took the Nachi bearing p/n to Kaman. They appear to have offices in all 50 States.

  14. #64
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    606
    My Cars
    '91 318is
    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    I took the Nachi bearing p/n to Kaman. They appear to have offices in all 50 States.

    actually found it at autozone, sanden part $18

    http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...7355_440953_0/

  15. #65
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    ATL
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    97 E36
    Since this has been an on-going thread over the years I figured I'd throw my story/dilemma into the mix.
    '97 E36 bearing has obviously failed. Instead of messing with removing/pressing out old bearing and reusing all other existing components I find a "clutch kit" (pulley [w/bearing], clutch plate, electro-magnet, and new hardware) on Rock Auto.

    Ordered, and delivered as promised. Removed old, installed new ( there was a thousand cuss words that went with that snap ring). Worked great! No more noise. 5wks later, the noise is back- pull the clutch plate, the seal is gone from the bearing. Obviously overheated, grease gone, no wonder the noise is back.

    Put in warranty claim with Rock Auto, "kit" is covered. Order new "kit", and send failed part back. Installed replacement, 4months later- bearing has failed again! WTF! Now I'm thinking cheap bearing? Bad grease? Wrong belt? Tensioner wrong? What the Hell? So, one more time? Or does anyone have a different take on this?

  16. #66
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    4,982
    My Cars
    no e30
    OE parts or bust

  17. #67
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    norcal
    Posts
    5,881
    My Cars
    a few e30s
    Quote Originally Posted by KledgeBldr View Post
    Since this has been an on-going thread over the years I figured I'd throw my story/dilemma into the mix. '97 E36 bearing has obviously failed. Instead of messing with removing/pressing out old bearing and reusing all other existing components I find a "clutch kit" (pulley [w/bearing], clutch plate, electro-magnet, and new hardware) on Rock Auto. Ordered, and delivered as promised. Removed old, installed new ( there was a thousand cuss words that went with that snap ring). Worked great! No more noise. 5wks later, the noise is back- pull the clutch plate, the seal is gone from the bearing. Obviously overheated, grease gone, no wonder the noise is back. Put in warranty claim with Rock Auto, "kit" is covered. Order new "kit", and send failed part back. Installed replacement, 4months later- bearing has failed again! WTF! Now I'm thinking cheap bearing? Bad grease? Wrong belt? Tensioner wrong? What the Hell? So, one more time? Or does anyone have a different take on this?
    Cheap parts. You need a better bearing, use the dimensions to find a better one.

  18. #68
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Memphis Tn
    Posts
    204
    My Cars
    2006 330ic, 2 e36 before

    Quiet at last

    I am adding to this Thread, it was most helpful in changing my pulley bearing. I did not remove the radiator. AC COMPRESSOR.jpgThe snap ring was angled where my pliers wouldn't fit. So, I ended up lowering the compressor and getting the snap ring from the front view (without a mirror) It really does take patience.
    SNAP RING PLIARS3.jpg
    I ordered a larger pair of pliers and also ended up removing the spring to get them to spread wider also. The on your head flashlight also helped.


    The old bearing didn't seem to have play but it was the howler/squeeler. Its all quiet now.
    1998 328ic

  19. #69
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Memphis Tn
    Posts
    204
    My Cars
    2006 330ic, 2 e36 before
    Notes about the snap ring. One hole is smaller and your plier tip may not fit. I drilled it out after removal. My small pliers open farther with the 45 or straight tips than the 90 degree. I used the larger pliers to reinstall the snapring.
    Last edited by mike318; 11-12-2016 at 09:24 AM.
    1998 328ic

  20. #70
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2003 E39 540i
    Great thread I will be attempting this very soon.

    Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

  21. #71
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    DFW
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1998 BMW E36
    After replacing the bearing in the pulley, how hard is it to reinstall back onto compressor? I got the pulley/clutch kit off rockauto and seems like it will be an interference fit and will require a hammer to install the pulley with the new bearing installed back on to compressor.

    Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

  22. #72
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    I recently had a leaking compressor and wanted to swap the clutch from it onto a spare compressor I had, but lacked the special tools needed to remove the clutch. I decided instead to just use the clutch already on the spare compressor. You can get a rebuilt compressor with clutch for $150 or a used compressor for half that. You might also be able to rent for free AC clutch tools from Autozone -- but I don't know what they have for AC tools.

  23. #73
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Chicagoland
    Posts
    828
    My Cars
    '00 528iA, '01 325iA
    Quote Originally Posted by namiam View Post
    After replacing the bearing in the pulley, how hard is it to reinstall back onto compressor? I got the pulley/clutch kit off rockauto and seems like it will be an interference fit and will require a hammer to install the pulley with the new bearing installed back on to compressor.

    Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
    I remember it being a press fit; tap it in with an appropriate socket.

  24. #74
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by al_r View Post
    I remember it being a press fit; tap it in with an appropriate socket.
    …tapping on inner bearing race only…


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  25. #75
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Chicagoland
    Posts
    828
    My Cars
    '00 528iA, '01 325iA
    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    …tapping on inner bearing race only…


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Tapping it in using the inner race could stress and dent the ball and / or races, use the outer race...

Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •