97 Cavalier 2.2L auto.. The A/C compressor is making a nasty grinding noise, which stops when the A/C is on. I think the clutch seems to be dragging when disengaged, although it does engage, and then the noise stops. Can this clutch assembly be replaced seperately, or does the whole compressor have to be changed out? If the clutch can be serviced seperately, does the compressor have to be removed from the car and the freon removed to do it, or can this be done with the compressor still on the car without draining the freon?
Yup seen it bunches of times. Its your clutch ( compressor clutch that is ) It may have also damaged the pulley. The longer you let it go the worse it will get .
Good Luck
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Jackalope wrote:Yup seen it bunches of times. Its your clutch ( compressor clutch that is ) It may have also damaged the pulley. The longer you let it go the worse it will get .
Good Luck
sounds like it........the clutch becomes weka and starts to ride on the pulley...you have to replace the clutch and pulley.....
I just changed mine anbd I had to remove the assy to remove the pulley. The pulley is pulled to the released position by 4 spring steel tabs. These get weak with age and dont pull the plate fully out. If you look at the end plate and there is gaps between the plate and the rivet heads in the end plate and the actual disk then it is weak.
You should be able to turn the end plate wiith the engine OFF and hear it rub, IF it does not rub then the bearing for the pulley might be going bad and this is only heard when the engine is running. I had both problems, my bearing was going and I was afraid it would sieze.
You need a special puller to remove the outer plate. There is a snap ring under the outer clutch plate to remove and then the pulley comes off easy. IF you dont remove this ring and try to pull the assy off as one you will snap the flange that hold the pulley on.
Autozone I believe has them in the loaner program if you dont have one.
Mine was grinding to the point it was making shavings in the shrouding. I don't know how long they can run before seizing, but I'm sure that it will once enough metal is chewed away.
John Wilken
2002 Cavalier
2.2 Vin code 4
Auto
