maddox

Hi, anyone got some instructions on how to remove the AC clutch from an 87 S4? The bearing is rattling and gritty. The workshop manual has details for an older compressor which shows the pully with 3 holes used to counter hold the lock nut. It is a different pulley on the 87 - no holes to use. Can the clutch be removed whilst the unit is on the car? Any special tools needed? Any advice, tips, pictures would be appreciated. cheers

Nicole

Hi Maddox:

I have done this procedure on my 91 a while back, and it's well documented here. The compressor was left in the car, the bearing was ordered, and it was relatively easy to remove and later replace the pulley. Where I really needed help was with the replacement of theo bearing int the pulley. It is pressed in, so we did some tricks with the freezer and heating things up. Bill Ball might be able to describe these trisks in more detail than I can, so I'll leave it up to him to chime in.

Anyway, unless your compressor is very different from mine, this should not be a big deal...

SharkSkin

Nicole, I thought you were an old hand at this procedure now...

Nicole

Well, Dave, removing and replacing the pulley would be easy, but the bearing replacement in the pulley is still something I prefer to have an expert handle...

Her are a few threads on this topic:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/139765-clicking-scratching-noise-in-front-right.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/147984-a-day-under-the-shark-turns-into-ac-compressor-clutch-bearing-fix.html

maddox

Nicole thanks for the links -

I vaguely recall answering one of the posts originally.

What a job you did!

Mark Anderson

Nicole your compressor is differrent than the 1987 but the procudure is somewhat similar. You will need a circlip tool and possibly a puller but many times you can get the front off without one.

maddox

Thanks all, the bits are off, no problems at all and the bearing is knackered.