I made a tool to install my AC clutch!

[cgrutt]

Solution looking for a problem haha. They don't seem to have this as far as I can tell just generic versions or maybe a strap wrench. 2004 - 2008 Ford F150 AC clutch. Issue is there isn't much room to work without taking compressor out of vehicle. I wound up using a prybar to put some tension on it while removing retaining screw. Don't want to try that with new clutch so made this out of an old washer and DBE wrench. Just braised it together with some 56% silver solder. Pretty sure it will work fine not really much torque on the small screw. It did have a fair amount of blue loctite on it. Part should be here on Tuesday so guess I'll find out how it works...

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Any reason for not replacing the compressor? For $168 Rockauto.com has a Four Seasons compressor, Dryer, and orifice tube. All you would need to do from there is replace the condenser and flush the lines/evaporator and it would be done correctly.

 

[cgrutt]

Any reason for not replacing the compressor? For $168 Rockauto.com has a Four Seasons compressor, Dryer, and orifice tube. All you would need to do from there is replace the condenser and flush the lines/evaporator and it would be done correctly.

Not equipped (yet) to evacuate the existing system and it works fine just needs a clutch and pulley.

 

[rsanter]

Any reason for not replacing the compressor? For $168 Rockauto.com has a Four Seasons compressor, Dryer, and orifice tube. All you would need to do from there is replace the condenser and flush the lines/evaporator and it would be done correctly.

I did the same on one of my ford explorers, why mess with a system that is working if all that fails is the clutch

 

[Skellyii]

I had a friends BMW where the clutch crapped out. I bought a clutch removal tool from a fellow GJ member, and that made the job easy peasy.

I have the equipment to evacuate and refill, but swapping out the clutch is much quicker.

 

[mikey03]

Any reason for not replacing the compressor? For $168 Rockauto.com has a Four Seasons compressor, Dryer, and orifice tube. All you would need to do from there is replace the condenser and flush the lines/evaporator and it would be done correctly.

More fun to replace the clutch now and then take the whole system apart next year when the compressor fails

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

More fun to replace the clutch now and then take the whole system apart next year when the compressor fails

After it shells the compressor, busts the belt, and leaves you on the side of the road.

 

[cmandp]

I'll be honest, my experience with A/C systems on cars is this: Once something goes wrong that you lose the factory charge, it has to be messed with every few years at a minimum. Maybe it's the aftermarket compressors, hoses or seals and new OEM would last longer.

But both my and my wife's late 90s early 2000s GM vehicles that original charge lasted over 15 years with no issues. After that I kept my S10 A/C working for a bit but then it really needed the whole system gone through and that wasn't worth it for an occasional use truck.

 

[cgrutt]

I'll be honest, my experience with A/C systems on cars is this: Once something goes wrong that you lose the factory charge, it has to be messed with every few years at a minimum. Maybe it's the aftermarket compressors, hoses or seals and new OEM would last longer.

But both my and my wife's late 90s early 2000s GM vehicles that original charge lasted over 15 years with no issues. After that I kept my S10 A/C working for a bit but then it really needed the whole system gone through and that wasn't worth it for an occasional use truck.

The system works fine and never lost its charge. The rubber bushing on clutch failed. Ford sells replacement clutches presumably because this is a common failure and/or maintenance item. The vehicle is 19 years old and has almost 250000 miles on it. Happy to replace clutch along with a new pulley and bearing (not because old one failed but while I have it apart might as well) and take my chances. Posted this in the general tools section because it was meant to be about the tool I made that doesn't seem to be commercially available and thought it might be helpful to someone down the road.

 

[MovingAlong]

... it was meant to be about the tool I made ...

As someone who has also made a few specialty tools, I thought it was pretty cool.

 

[cgrutt]

Thanks @MovingAlong

 

[cmandp]

@cgrutt I was in support of you working on just those parts and not just replacing the whole compressor and recharging the system. What you did was quicker especially without the recovery equipment, refrigerant, oil and scale.

 

[cgrutt]

@cgrutt I was in support of you working on just those parts and not just replacing the whole compressor and recharging the system. What you did was quicker especially without the recovery equipment, refrigerant, oil and scale.

Thanks no worries response was more about the comments from the detractors.

 

[mikey03]

I'll be honest, my experience with A/C systems on cars is this: Once something goes wrong that you lose the factory charge, it has to be messed with every few years at a minimum. Maybe it's the aftermarket compressors, hoses or seals and new OEM would last longer.

maybe it’s whoever did the labor

but yea prob using cheap aftermarket parts tbh

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

That one hurts to see that old wrench like that lol. You got the job done though I guess. For me I’d never be able to live with myself if I modified a tool. If I did I’d either have to unmodify it or throw it in the trash or sell it.

 

[cgrutt]

That one hurts to see that old wrench like that lol. You got the job done though I guess. For me I’d never be able to live with myself if I modified a tool. If I did I’d either have to unmodify it or throw it in the trash or sell it.

Meh, that wrench hasn't been used in decades I gave it new purpose. I did leave the Bonney's if its any consolation...

Still haven't received the parts.

 

[OccupantRJ]

That one hurts to see that old wrench like that lol. You got the job done though I guess. For me I’d never be able to live with myself if I modified a tool. If I did I’d either have to unmodify it or throw it in the trash or sell it.

Blake, you are welcome to come to my shop but you might get your feelings hurt when you see what I might do to get things done. What’s a $1 yard sale wrench in the scheme of life and getting the job done? I made custom tools for a production setting before I retired, I ain’t adverse to twisting up a wrench like a pretzel if that is what is required to git ‘er done. Sorry if I cause you to have bad dreams.

 

[OccupantRJ]

@BlakeTheCarGuy, did you have bad dreams about this sort of thing last night?

 

[Jarhead0408]

The best tools are the modified ones. They don't make the best tool for EVERY task yet...enter Mother Necessity.

 

[cgrutt]

New clutch and pulley just came but too late to install it I'll work on it tomorrow morning. Glad I ordered a new pulley the bearing was worse than I thought (comparing to new) and wear surface was completely shot. Should be pretty easy install.



Ordered a set of shims too so will try to get air gap within spec.

 

[whateg01]

Any reason for not replacing the compressor? For $168 Rockauto.com has a Four Seasons compressor, Dryer, and orifice tube. All you would need to do from there is replace the condenser and flush the lines/evaporator and it would be done correctly.

I'm all for not opening a working system

 

[mikey03]

That one hurts to see that old wrench like that lol. You got the job done though I guess. For me I’d never be able to live with myself if I modified a tool. If I did I’d either have to unmodify it or throw it in the trash or sell it.

He did tool affirming surgery and now the tool is a different kinda tool that it always dreamed of being. One that can swap a ac clutch with the compressor still installed.

 

[rharman]

That one hurts to see that old wrench like that lol. You got the job done though I guess. For me I’d never be able to live with myself if I modified a tool. If I did I’d either have to unmodify it or throw it in the trash or sell it.

You're young. Your time will come.

I long ago tossed it but I had a combination wrench bent like a pretzel to reach something on some car I had probably 50 years ago. Not pretty but it got the job done.

 

[whateg01]

That one hurts to see that old wrench like that lol. You got the job done though I guess. For me I’d never be able to live with myself if I modified a tool. If I did I’d either have to unmodify it or throw it in the trash or sell it.

Chopped! The GJ User Modified Tools Thread

The subject of user modified hand tools came up on the DBE thread earlier and at the encouragement of Lugz (and using his awesome suggestion for a thread title) I'll lead this off. Post up yours and if you know the purpose of the mod, we would love to hear the story. I have to say this first...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Chopped! The GJ User Modified Tools Thread

The subject of user modified hand tools came up on the DBE thread earlier and at the encouragement of Lugz (and using his awesome suggestion for a thread title) I'll lead this off. Post up yours and if you know the purpose of the mod, we would love to hear the story. I have to say this first...

www.garagejournal.com

Lol . Seen that thread a couple of times. Makes me go crazy haha. I don’t think I could sleep at night if I modified a tool.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Remember that when it comes time for the little blue pill...

Some modifications are pretty vital.

 

[jayemm]

He did tool affirming surgery and now the tool is a different kinda tool that it always dreamed of being. One that can swap a ac clutch with the compressor still installed.

For Globemaster and MIT tools, they arrived at their destiny. Typically they're stored separately so as to not contaminate the Snappies.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Lol . Seen that thread a couple of times. Makes me go crazy haha. I don’t think I could sleep at night if I modified a tool.

@BlakeTheCarGuy, I guess we can also assume you are not hit man material either?

 

[cgrutt]

AC is working! Took a bit longer than I expected. Mainly because it is in a tough spot and I also had to change belt and an idler pulley (I bypassed the compressor with a shorter belt when it broke). So I didn't even use the tool haha. It sure would have made my life easier when I removed the clutch. I just reused the shim that was on it and it left a perfect air gap 20 thousands (spec is 0.014 to 0.026 so right in the middle). It's about 86F today and it cooled right off so I'm pretty sure compressor is fine just needed a clutch.