Wedge TR8 A/C Jockey Pulley

[GBRandy]

Now that I have the A/C compressor running, the jockey pulley on the TR8 has begun to squeal slightly. This is the pulley between the A/C compressor and the engine driven pulley.

I pulled the whole pulley assembly out and it has sealed bearings and they look and spin fine. Everything appears to be press fit and looks just fine.

Anyone ever rebuild these with the press fit components?

Interestingly, the stud that connects to the jockey pulley clamp, fell out of it's holder. No set screws or anything. How is that stud supposed to be anchored in the engine bracket? Or is it supposed to be free floating?

Any guidance out there?

 

[DNK]

Randy, Once again .In English!

 

[GBRandy]

OK.... I'll scan the parts book page to better explain

There is a two belt configuration to get to the A/C compressor on the car. in between is the "jockey pulley" as identified in the repair manual.

It is essentially an idler pulley and mine has developed a squeak.

 

[tr8todd]

Not sure which stud you are talking about. The one in the clamp has a bolt and nut to tighten the clamp. The large stud that is pressed into the aluminum bracket has a clamp/bracket on the front side to prevent it from falling back out. It goes between the pulley and the bracket. I'll post a pic of it later. Amazes me how heavy that compressor, bracket, and pulley assembly is.

 

[tr8todd]

Here is the pic.

 

[sabot]

Before I got my 8, the PO pulled the belts off for the power steering and AC.
As of right now the AC pulley is froze, looking at getting one off a 70's to
late 80's GM car. Just wondering, should I hook the AC belt back up to see if
I can get the pulley to break free?
I look forward to hearing how your pulley problem works out Randy, I might have to inquire about what you did with your system.
Tom

 

[TR3driver]

As of right now the AC pulley is froze, looking at getting one off a 70's to
late 80's GM car. Just wondering, should I hook the AC belt back up to see if
I can get the pulley to break free?

I would say no, not worth messing with it. Even if you do get it freed up, the bearing is damaged and will fail soon. And the last thing you want is that big chunk of spinning iron coming loose in your engine compartment!

I'm not familiar with the TR8 unit in particular, but in many cases it is just a standard ball bearing (or two) inside, that can be removed and replaced.

 

[GBRandy]

OK. That's the beast....and getting closer.

The top bolt, marked with the "X" is a clamp. It tightens around a stud that goes into the aluminum housing.

I marked where that stud is located as the "Attachment Stud".

Am I to understand that the bolt I point to is a "clamp" that tightens to compress the aluminum housing and secure the stud into that housing? Currently, that stud is a simple slip fit and floats in and out of that housing. I can push right out on to the floor.

The clamp / bolt with the "X" on it is not the one I am worried about.

The concern is the stud and how to secure it to the housing.

Marked up picture:

 

[Don_R]

I think the clamp bolt that holds the stud into the bracket is right above the the stud.

on the flat part of the bracket

 

[tr8todd]

Here is another pic from a different angle. The thin clamp?bracket tightens around the stud preventing it from moving once it's pressed it. The fatter clamp clamps around the stud to mount the pulleys. Sounds like your missing the thin clamp.

 

[GBRandy]

Excellent photo. I am not missing the the thin clamp, it just wasn't holding the stud in place.

If that stud is supposed to be pressed in, mine isn't pressed anymore.

The washer on the back side nut (shown above) had cracked and the bolt was loose. I just fixed all that and tightened the small bolt on the thin clamp. Everything seems pretty solid in there now.

But if that metal stud is supposed to be pressed into that housing, it sure isn't that way on mine.

 

[GBRandy]

Alright. I tightened everything up and did a run on the freeway with the A/C running. All is well. I took some pictures for posterity sake and this one has some interesting data in it including the belt sizes.

The stud slides into the aluminum housing and is secured in place by clamp #2. Clamp #1 is used to finish the tightening sequnce.

I loosened #1 and the compressor and pulled the compressor tight. It pulled the pulley tight and both belts. Tighten the compressor. Tighten Clamp #1 and you should be done.

Picture

 

[DNK]

You didn't pull it all apart and powder coat it?

 

[GBRandy]

Nah. The car has a lot of miles on it. Once the engine goes I'll go ballistic when I pull the engine for its inevitable rebuild