Anybody replaced the bearings in a TDi aircon compressor ? Some advice needed, as the bearing/s is/are shot. Makes a squeeking noise when off, and a bad rumbling noise when in service.

Appreciated

Regards
JZ

There are no replacement parts shown in my LR parts book for the compressor.

So looks like a repair by replacement job.

Whenever we have a noisy compressor come in we just replace it, however if you do need the parts Southern Sales And Service of Chandlers Ford will be able to get you the parts as they are A/C compressor specialists.

It is not made to be replaced, but we have done it on the basis that if it doesn't work we haven't lost anything anyway. Put a 3-arm puller on the pulley and pulled until something holding the bearing on broke and it came off. If I remember right there is a circlip in there that you can't get at from the outside. Anyway, put another bearing in and Robert's your Aunt's brother. The bearing is pretty standard, available anywhere. Possibly yet another 6203 or a 6301 or whatever.

We got permission from the owner before doing this. The alternative is a new pump anyway.

The aircon compressor itself doesn't have (ball) bearings only the electromagnetic clutch has one.
If you say there is a bad rumbling noise when the clutch is engaged it's not the clutch bearing at fault since it doesn't rotate at this time. It's either the compressor internals or the other 2 bearings on the tensioner or the idler.

This is what I would do:
1. Use the water trick to make sure it isn't the belt squeeking. Get a new belt if it squeeks (avoid no names, use Dayco or alike). Check for proper tensioner alignment.
2. Check the tensioner and idler bearings and replace them if necessary. Or better replace them regardless if you didn't replace them recently. This thread has more details, if needed: http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=25011
3. Check the clutch bearing with the belt removed (rotate by hand, use a piece of string around the pulley, whatever means you like). If you come to the conclusion it needs to be replaced, here's the thread on the subject: http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=15665 from the 18th post down.

If you check/do all these and still have the rumbling noise when the compressor is working then you'll have to replace the compressor. But don't through away the clutch! It's more valuable than the compressor itself.

Thanks everyone for replying
Jim, I'm sure that I should get permission from the owner (me) If it is fixed with an unreachable cirlip, how do you replace that after fitting the bearing ?
Seeing that you and I sit on the same side of the globe, maybe your referance to Robert is a neighbourly thing ?

If you are in SA go to the URL in my sig and ask that question. Brian will tell you how we did it. Try workshop@landyonline.co.za email and we will answer.

The circlip is quite reachable, no problem. It needs to be removed before taking the pulley out. Just treat it gently so you don't break it. You can fit a regular one if it gets broken/damaged.

The 21st post in the second link I gave you has a link to a tutorial with pics on how to replace the clutch bearing. You might need a puller to remove the pulley (after removing the circlip, of course).
The clutch-bearing-pulley configuration is the same on almost every air con compressor used on regular cars. The compressor you have is also used on some Land Cruisers, Mercedes etc. The clutch is common to other (Nippon)Denso compressors. If you google a bit you can find other tutorials on the subject and the bearing seems to be easier to find by the day.

Eish Jim, don't tell me you didn't recognise that I was a boertjie !
Will go to Brian's site, thanks

Aha, thanks. I did go the Ausie tutorial with the pictures. Very helpfull
Are you implying that Land Rovers are irregular cars ?