Black rubber ball/low psi off

[Bond]

Hi
Had my car A/C charged up at a shop a few yrs ago. Never worked very good. Guy told me he fixed leaking valve. When I went to put on gauges I can not get a hi-side reading.
The coupling attached but can not force the ball deep enough to get any reading.
Looks like he put a black rubber ball inside.
If I use a screwdriver I can get it press Schrader valve. I would like to get the ball out.
I will get the tool to put a new valve with out evacuating system. I tried removing it I could not. Maybe a small drill bit to break it apart. I knicked it with the the end of thermometer. Trying to damage it enough that pressure would blow it out.
If worst come to worst looks like SJC makes New end fittings
Do they have vehicle chart for that?
The firing that is thier already looks like someone tried removing.

It was 80 degrees and humid.
I can get a low side reading of about 85psi with it off.
Should it be higher?
I hate to do it without getting hi side reading.
Thank you

[Dougflas]

You need a high side reading to evaluate the performance. Here is another example of "Don't fix it right; fix it so it will work right"

[Bond]

Yes I agree
So easy just to put in a new valve than sticking rubber ball in it.
They charged me enough to do it right. Give shops a bad name.
Guess I will not ask them to fix anything again.

I might let garage pull Vacume. I don't have a recovery machine.
They sell a replacment high side port with Schrader valve.
They pull old freon they will want to fix it.

Aluminum valve on an aluminum tube. 17yrs old hope it comes apart.

Thank you
Bond