A/C compressor bearings serviceable?

Hey Gang,

My AC compressor on my 06 Hemi is whining pretty loudly. I had a local mechanic check it and he quoted 1100.00 to replace the compressor... I researched it a bit and found a thread on another forum that said the compressor bearings are replaceable. Since my AC is working fine except for the whining noise, I am hoping this is a viable option for me. I am confident attacking small jobs such as alternators, waterpumps etc but I am certainly no A/C man. After the $$ I spent on the OME HD struts and springs and the JBA UCA's I think I will be sleeping on the couch if I come home with an 1100.00 repair bill!! I need to do something soon before it seizes up and takes out the serpentine belt leaving me stranded... I have briefly scanned the posts here but haven't seen anything on the bearings. Any information/direction you guys could provide would be great!

Chris

The compressor bearings don't show up as a seperate part. At least not from the dealer.
Did you try a bone yard? A radiator shop would probably be a better alternative.
I'm assuming you are off your warranty and I would seek help for this, outside the dealership.


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I'd get a price quote for a replacement compressor. Autozone has them for around 3-400 dollars. The compressor isn't any harder than changing out an alternator as long as there are no other issues like metal shavings from the internals of the compressor (has happened to me). If it's simply the a/c compressor bearings it shouldn't have any other issues.
Let the pressure out of the system. Disconnect the hoses, take off the belt and any electrical plugs. Put the new one one on and hook it up. Then drive to a shop (without using the A/C while you're going there) that will recharge A/C R-134 refridgerant and have them vacuum the lines and put new freon in there. Shouldn't run you over 100 bucks i'd think for that. It's really not as hard as one might think (minus needing the vacuum pump and getting the right amount back in there which the shop will do for you). That's probably what i'd do.

I had a shop quote me $100 for evacuating and refilling the system after I made the repair. I also had to do some searching for the part because it's not sold threw the dealer or normal parts chains.

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Originally Posted by Sal-XK

I had a shop quote me $100 for evacuating and refilling the system after I made the repair. I also had to do some searching for the part because it's not sold threw the dealer or normal parts chains.

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I just lookoed up the A/C compressor on the Auto Zone website for our jeep and they listed 3 or 4 of them they had. Which part did you replace Sal? How long ago was it? It seems they can get them or maybe they are just fibbing cause we all know they do that.

This was for my ford 500 the local shop quoted me $1400 and all it needed was a $40 part but they said they couldn't order it but would install it if I got it so they were pretty cool. I found what part it was on a forum they wanted $100 for the evacuation and refill .5hr for the part instal. But only one company made the part I needed that's why I said it will take some digging around to find the parts

The compressors for our XK's are much easier to come by.

I'd do as recommended... replace it yourself and then bring it to the shop to charge up the system.

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Originally Posted by Matt

The compressors for our XK's are much easier to come by.

I'd do as recommended... replace it yourself and then bring it to the shop to charge up the system.

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The guy looked around and the cheapest part he could get was $500 and autozone had one for like $300. I couldn't figure out where all the labor hours come from in the quote the compressor is right there to just pull out so I agree just do it your self and save like a $1000 bro.

I found a reman on ebay for 189.00. I think I will do the swap as suggested and get it recharged. I just hope the cheap reman lasts a while. We shall see!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-COMPRESS...sories&vxp=mtr

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Originally Posted by Gotterdid

I found a reman on ebay for 189.00. I think I will do the swap as suggested and get it recharged. I just hope the cheap reman lasts a while. We shall see!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-COMPRESS...sories&vxp=mtr

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From what I have read you need to evac the lines before you remove the compressor or it can cause damage. I'm sure Matt or someone can speak up on that for sure.

the lines are pressurized. the best thing to do is swing by the shop that's going to recharge it for you and ask them to evacuate the system first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gotterdid

I found a reman on ebay for 189.00. I think I will do the swap as suggested and get it recharged. I just hope the cheap reman lasts a while. We shall see!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-COMPRESS...sories&vxp=mtr

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The company looks legit, did you read their warranty info? You get a year but they are asking for the drier/accumaltor and orifice tube to be replaced as new along with a system flush. I think the evacuation first is an enviromental issue. In the olden days we bled pressure off the drier, before disconnecting any hoses.
Today I would definately get the evacuation done prior to disassembly.
On the way home do not run the AC or turn on the defroster. The compressor cycles on and off when the defroster is on. There is a low pressure switch that won't allow the clutch to activate with out refrigerant but...... just in case.
Good Luck.

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Originally Posted by ScorpionCrawler

The company looks legit, did you read their warranty info? You get a year but they are asking for the drier/accumaltor and orifice tube to be replaced as new along with a system flush. I think the evacuation first is an enviromental issue. In the olden days we bled pressure off the drier, before disconnecting any hoses.
Today I would definately get the evacuation done prior to disassembly.
On the way home do not run the AC or turn on the defroster. The compressor cycles on and off when the defroster is on. There is a low pressure switch that won't allow the clutch to activate with out refrigerant but...... just in case.
Good Luck.

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Sounds like they want to make sure that the lines are clear of debris and stuff that would cause the Compressor to fail prematurely. Seems legit like you said. That being said to replace all the extra stuff would be more time consuming and a little harder on the pocket book but still not 1100 if you do it youself (but more difficult).

if I was doing the work.... I'd probably replace the dryer as well while I had the system broken down. its really not much more work. Also, fresh o-rings on every line I could get to (most of the AC leaks I've fixed were simple $.60 orings that failed)

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Originally Posted by Matt

if I was doing the work.... I'd probably replace the dryer as well while I had the system broken down. its really not much more work. Also, fresh o-rings on every line I could get to (most of the AC leaks I've fixed were simple $.60 orings that failed)

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Good catch on the O rings. A must!!

My clutch bearings have started making a bunch of noise as well. At least it sounds like it's coming from there. It may be the belt tensioner. Anyway you can buy the bearing for $17 but it takes a special tool to get at it. Our mechanic in our club told me he has never been able to get the pulley off without destroying it. He always ends up replacing the whole compressor. I found remans from $160ish a lot of places so I will probably end up doing that. Better than $330+ for new.

Suck you can't just replace the bearings. :(