can you guys give advise on my current ac situation?

[larson]

Ok yesterday morning I realized my ac wouldn't come on on my way to work. Come to find out the front bolt that holds the compressor clutch on had backed out and I got lucky that the clutch fell into the corner of my frame rail and rad.
I didn't install the compressor but it is only a few years old and the bearings are still fine no noise or excessive heat and worked well up until that damn bolt backed out. Since I didn't lose the front of the clutch assembly on the side of the road would it be alright to go buy a new bolt and the correct shims and just bolt it back on? Seems very simple but we all know how that goes. I ask cause I know nothing about ac compressor's but the rebuild video I watched seemed easy enough.

 

[Clb]

Check everything out, clean and lube it up.
Propper alignment is going to be key.
I think you should be fine.

 

[larson]

Well I fixed it witch is awesome cause summer in tejas is ridiculous. Lock tight and a lock washer was used. I got really lucky that thing didn't fall off into my fan and shroud while I'm driving down the freeway. Gota love fixing **** with no money invested.

 

[icanfixall]

Glad you fixed it easily. I too had this happen when I was on vacation in Regina Sask. Nobody would sell me the piece that went to the road. I was not as lucky as you to find the piece. Finally found a place that had a used clutch piece. I was ok driving home to so cal with no air in July but wifey was having nothing to do with no air.... What a wimp.. Only my Ford truck has lost this clutch but my chevy C30 never lost this part. Even when I lost the bearing to the clutch it still did not fly off.

 

[larson]

Yeah I hear that man. I was a little worried cause I have the slightest clue when it comes to tearing into the ac components. I understand how to take it apart but putting it back together is another story. Not to mention getting it recharged. But she is blowing cold again thanks to my parts been catch all full of automotive bolts. Now on to dropping this rear tank to extend the pick up line.
I forgot to mention I got lucky again due to the fact that all the shims were still in the female splined section of the front clutch assembly.

 

[chris142]

The clutch gap should be .018-.028.

 

[icanfixall]

The measurement is very important too. Too much gap will break the clutch metal piece that allows the friction side to magnetically grab the stationary piece and make the pump run.