A/C clutch replacement on 2002 3.4l

Hi guys,
I have a 02 tacoma v6 with a loud screeching/squealing noise when I turn my A/C on and I already replaced the idler pulley and that wasn't it and I watched the compressor when it was screeching/squeal and the clutch looks like it gets caught and it keeps trying to catch and it doesn't. The A/C is warm when it's screeching/squeal and when it stops it gets cold but now it just screeches/squeal when the A/C is on.

So my questions is, can I replace the A/C clutch while it's still in the vehicle?

I haven't seen anything on this topic or I guess I must've missed it, any help I'd appreciate it.
Thanks guys

 

Depending on how many miles are on your A/C Compressor, it may be worth while to get a new compressor w/ a new clutch.

Hate to throw $150 for a new clutch only to have the compressor shit the bed a short time later.

 

I second this.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ac-clutch-failure-how-to-fix-blinking-light-squealing.448009/

Thread is 2nd gen, but I'll bet lunch the process is the same.

 

I thought about getting a new compressor but don't have the money at the moment and I need a ac in the AZ heat haha but for sure I'll get a replacement later

 

Do you think that'll work because I did see this post but wasn't sure if it would work on our first gens.

 

Have you had a tech put gauges on the AC system?

May just have too much pressure on the high side.

 

I tried to replace the clutch while the compressor was in the truck. I had a hard time. Ended up getting a compressor off of a wrecked ‘03 for $60. Then paid a shop $80 to swap the compressors. That was about 6 years ago. No issues since.

 

I haven't had anyone check this year but last year everything was fine and no leaks

 

What kind of issues exactly?
Damn 80 bucks? Not sure if there's anybody around here that'll do it that cheap

 

There’s a snap ring that needs to be removed. I couldn’t get a good grip on it while it was still connected to the truck. Not a lot of space either. Maybe I just suck. Idk. Anyways, at that point, I did not get the new clutch yet. Seeing if I can remove it first before buying it. Frustrated, I was about to pull the plug, and just get a whole new compressor. Then that’s when I found a guy parting his truck on CL.

I lucked out on the shop I went to. I wanted to do it myself, but that meant I was going to be environmentally unfriendly. Didn’t want to do that. So I just gave the shop a call, and they said they would do it.

 

I know this is more difficult to find some places than others, but here in Oregon I’ve lucked into a shop that’s willing to recapture refrigerant for free. I’ve used them a couple times now, once when getting ready for an engine swap, the other time so I could work on my compressor guilt free.

 

Yeah, man. There was no way I could do it without feeling guilty of polluting the environment just for saving a few bucks. I know some people can and will do it. Not me.

 

So it is possible to keep it in the truck and replace the clutch? It seems like there's enough room but just wanting to make sure
Still skeptical and debating on trying it

 

It is possible. I think there’s a YouTube video of it being done.

 

Yes, you can replace the clutch assembly while leaving the compressor attached.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/winkle99-build-thread.511998/page-5#post-26049568

Make sure you keep track of the little spacer and replace it upon reassembly. It is smaller in diameter then a dime and looks like a black washer.

@JPinFL - you don’t suck. That snap ring is a pain to get off. I pulled the radiator out to get better leverage with the snap ring pliers.

 

Would this work better getting that snap ring out?

 

Yes - definitely

 

After f*ing with the AC compressor snap ring with 3 different snap ring pliers for a couple hours I unbolted my AC compressor and rotated it so the snap ring faced up. Wound up using a pick and 2 small screwdrivers to get it out.

 

That idea has crossed my mind, just unbolting 3 of the bolts and rotating upwards or downwards to get a pliers to pull out