QUOTE (dave92 @ Aug 9 2009, 02:16 PM)
index.php?act=findpost&pid=745409
QUOTE (Marcharino @ Jul 22 2009, 02:21 PM)
index.php?act=findpost&pid=741261
QUOTE (rudedog @ Jan 17 2009, 04:11 PM)
index.php?act=findpost&pid=693365
Remove the Negative battery cable.
Raise the car and support the car on jack stands. Just to the rear of the rear sub-frame mounts there are"rails" under the car, put the stands there as you will be dropping the sub-frame.
Disconnect the dog bone dampener.
Remove the serpentine belt.
Remove the right front wheel/tire assembly.
Disconnect the right side end link from either end, complete removal is NOT necessary.
Remove the right side strut pinch bolt.
Remove the little bolt that holds the brake line to the strut. 10mm I believe.
Place your jack under the passenger's side of the sub-frame near the control arm.
Remove the two sub-frame bolts on that side.
Lower the jack, slowly, to a position that you can see the A/C clutch.
It may be necessary to remove the front sub-frame bolt on the driver's side, but the last 3 vehicles I've done it wasn't necessary.
After you've got the cradle dropped, you should see the center bolt for the clutch. 8mm IIRC. Remove it and the front plate should come off with a little help of a screw driver and wiggling it a bit.
Behind that there is a snap ring, you'll need snap ring pliers to get it off, then you can remove the pulley. The last part is the coil, unplug it carefully, as I've seen people yank out the wire and mess up the plug. Then with a small hammer or a couple of screwdrivers, either pry the coil off, or knock it off by hitting it on two different sides alternately.
To reinstall the coil, you'll need a piece of 2x4 or something to cover the "face" of the coil to knock(press) it back on. From there install everything in reverse order that it came off.
You shouldn't need to realign the car, at least none of the ones I've done haven't needed it, but it would be a good idea to have it realigned if it has not been done with in a year.
Good luck, Rudy.[/b]
To Rudy,
I've been told by a AC shop that I need to re-gap the clutch on my '92 AC Compressor, and want to do-it-myself without removing the compressor (R12 refill is well over $300 & R134 conversion and flush is not less). In your explanation of "dropping the sub-frame," is there some diagram (or reference) to which I can refer to know the location of the items to which you refer--I'm unsure of the location of these items:
1) "Dog-bone dampener?"
2) "Right side end link?"
3) "Right side strut pinch bolt?"
Also (seeing one of the below posts), can I just remove the center bolt, or do I need a special tool to hold the clutch plate while loosening the bolt? If the latter, where does one acquire that tool, or do I have to make it, as the post suggests?
Marcharino
[/b][/quote]
I started yesterday doing this project on my 1998 DOHC Taurus. There are additional things to do.
Disconnect both battery cables.
Disconnect the Air Box.
Remove all subframe mount bolts.
Remove the upper water hose from water pump.
remove 2 mount bolts holding the expansion bottle to fender.
Remove vacuum hose from back of engine to vacuum module on firewall.
Pay close attention to the AC flex line that runs from the expansion bottle to AC compressor.
I had to leverage the motor to the left to get the AC Clutch assy to gain clearance.
I only found one tiny shim, none behind the center bolt. You can get a shim kit with C clip and bolt
from Advance Auto Parts (#24187 $17).
My magnetic coil is in good shape. The face of the Pulley and Clutch are chewed up.
Something was making a terrible squeal, so I'm replacing the 2 outside pieces.
This is a good time to replace the Idler pulley and water pump.
And the additional 5" drop gives plenty of room to replace the Struts.
I may see if I can get the back exhaust pipe bolts off the backside manifold
so I can remove my LEAKING Oil Pan (for 2 years).
Doing the work myself saves lots of money. I've been unemployed since February.
[/b][/quote]
I found the front subframe bolts eaten away by Mag/Chloride. If you live in the Snow Belt check the front subframe mounts.