Q to Aussies reg A/C repair

[shogun]

Got a question from an E32 owner in the Illawarra region
(where is that actually? Pls inform the foreigners)
His aircon compressor has a whining bearing and he is asking if he can do that alone DIY or if there are any specialists around that area.

Anybody repaired his compressor DIY?
Which company could be recommended for reman?
I only found this one
http://www.autoaircompressors.com.au/index.html
They even offer resealing with 3 months warranty.

But as I do not know where Illawarra is, S.E. Queensland where the repair shop is might be just on the other side of Australia.

Thanks mates

[mattyb]

well my friend you could say that S.E.Queensland is a bit north of Illawarra by about 10 hours diving time. The Illawarra region is just south of sydney and if I am not wrong it also covers the Wollongong area. Should be plenty of access to repairers in that area. Wingman is in that direction and might know of someone

[icesoft]

If it is the clutch bearing, that is a DIY repair that can be done without having to evacuate the A/C system. Clutch driver is held onto the shaft with 1 allen bolt and is on a splined shaft. Clutch pulley is held on by a large snap ring. Pull the old clutch off and either buy a new bearing and press the old out/new in, or buy the clutch assy complete. Clutch gap is set with shims, and should be about the thickness of a business card.

There really aren't any internal bearings to speak of, the hardened steel shaft just runs in a couple of bores in the cast iron compressor end plates, no ball bearings or brass/bronze sleeve bearings. Lubrication is provided by the oil in the A/C system.

[shogun]

S.E.Queensland is a bit north of Illawarra by about 10 hours diving time.

A well, I see, just a bit north.
If I drive 10 hours, my car will be a submarine in the South China Sea probably.

[BigKriss]

I asked about repairing a AC compressor a while ago and I still haven't done it. Mine too is still useless but since were entering the cooler months now, it has to wait. Illawarra region like Matt says is south of Sydney and includes Wollongong. Nick posted another company about rebuilding one a while ago. My compressor has the same problem.