1998 Trans Am - replace compressor or troubleshoot clutch and bearing - ackits part numbers
Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2023 3:30 pm
I have owned a 98 Trans Am (TA) for about 7 years. The TA has about 120k miles. The AC system was working fine for first 4 years. About 3 years ago the compressor was very noisy and rattled - often at startup and at other times - this was without the ac running. I thought noise was likely bad ac pulley bearing. I was in a pinch and decided to just pull the ac compressor belt - the TA uses separate ac belt with separate ac tensioner and ac idler pulley. After pulling ac belt - I had no further issues with noise. Now, 3 yrs later, Id like to get ac working again. I just crawled under the car and I can spin the ac compressor pulley and it does seem a bit noisy/squeaky. I can spin the ac clutch and I can see the clutch has almost zero gap - its rubbing against the compressor. Perhaps, this was the original source of the noise ? The ac tensioner seems ok. The ac idler pulley appears a bit noisy / squeaky. I do have a old ackits tool for removing the ac clutch on v5 ac compressor- ive had this tool for about 10 years when I had previous ac issues on my old buick.
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Im reading that my TA likely has a v7 ac compressor. I have been debating whether to try and troubleshoot the TA's compressor clutch , compressor bearing, ac idler pulley etc. All these parts Im pretty sure are original. Id spend some time troubleshooting and even if I repair and fix , Id still have 25 year old compresssor. I thought best approach would be to install new compressor - which would come with new pulley bearing and new ac clutch. I can also replace ac accumulator/drier and orifice tube. I have harbor freight vacuum pump and ac gauges and some cans of R134a. So, I can discharge the system , pull vacuum and recharge.
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What would be the ackits part numbers for new ac compressor, new accumulator and new orifice tube (likely need new line seals and some compressor oil?) - or does ackits have a kit ? How's the ackits quality versus other compressors out there ? I can see four seasons, GPD, UAC- though I have not really heard of any of these suppliers. Thanks for any help/advice
.
Im reading that my TA likely has a v7 ac compressor. I have been debating whether to try and troubleshoot the TA's compressor clutch , compressor bearing, ac idler pulley etc. All these parts Im pretty sure are original. Id spend some time troubleshooting and even if I repair and fix , Id still have 25 year old compresssor. I thought best approach would be to install new compressor - which would come with new pulley bearing and new ac clutch. I can also replace ac accumulator/drier and orifice tube. I have harbor freight vacuum pump and ac gauges and some cans of R134a. So, I can discharge the system , pull vacuum and recharge.
.
What would be the ackits part numbers for new ac compressor, new accumulator and new orifice tube (likely need new line seals and some compressor oil?) - or does ackits have a kit ? How's the ackits quality versus other compressors out there ? I can see four seasons, GPD, UAC- though I have not really heard of any of these suppliers. Thanks for any help/advice