AC tensioner bearings? Any tricks? | FerrariChat
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AC tensioner bearings? Any tricks?

Discussion in '308/328' started by jwise, Mar 20, 2007.

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  1. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #1 jwise, Mar 20, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm replacing my AC compressor soon, and noticed that the tensioner for the AC belt (the belt is now off) sounds like there is sand in the bearings when you spin it. So, I ordered some new ones.

    Are there two bearings? Are there any suprises removing the old bearings (there are two stacked on top of each other- I think?) and installing the new ones? Is there a snap ring or anything between the two?

    I have a 12 ton press, so that should help.

    Thanks-
    jwise
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  2. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,512
    Cape Canaveral/Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Walt P
    #2 WaltP, Mar 20, 2007
    Surprises YES, a snap ring and a washer are between the bearings. My experience says NO NOT press them out and do not lose the center washer between the bearings ($11). I saw one pressed out and the operator didn't know there was a snap ring in between the bearings, it was a real mess. I used a small piece of key stock to punch out the lower bearing a little at a time rotating my striking point often as it lays on it's side throught the inner hole. Then flipped it over and repeated. I hope that makes sense.
     
  3. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    #3 2NA, Mar 20, 2007
    Another approach might be to disassemble one of the bearings (remove seal, cut ball cage, remove balls and inner race) then press the other bearing out, remove snap ring and press outer race of first bearing.
     
  4. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #4 jwise, Mar 21, 2007
    Thanks folks. I'll report back with my findings.

    jwise
     
  5. msouza

    msouza Formula Junior

    Mar 14, 2005
    292
    Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Milton Souza
    #5 msouza, Mar 21, 2007
    Don't use a press to re-assemble the tensioner either. You can put everything back together just using a vise, just place the tensioner between two peices of wood, and apply pressure using the vise. Do one bearing at a time.

    Milton
     
  6. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,512
    Cape Canaveral/Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Walt P
    #6 WaltP, Mar 21, 2007
    and make sure that washer between the 2 bearings is centered also
     
  7. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #7 jwise, Mar 26, 2007
    I replaced the two AC tensioner bearings this past weekend. No problems and took about an hour total.

    I removed the entire pulley mount from the engine and worked on it inside- much simpler.


    Next, just remove the pulley bolt from the mount- pay attention to any washers before taking the pulley off. I just take a couple of pictures for reference.

    Next- now that the pulley is free, it's time to remove the bearings. I put the pulley in a vise, and tried to smack out one of the bearings by catching a small punch on the inner race- this did not work. So, I put the whole thing in the oven for about ten minutes and then clamped it in the vise again. I put an ice cube on the bearing until it melted and tried with the punch again- and it popped out easily by working around the inner race. Physics at work!

    There is a small washer between (as mentioned earlier in this post) that is loose. There is also a snap ring. Once one of the bearings is out, the second one is easy to drive out.

    I left the snap ring in place, and pressed in the first new bearing (after cleaning up the pulley) with the vise- using an old bearing to press it up against the snap ring. The second bearing (with small washer installed) was pressed in the same way.

    Then, just bolt the pulley back on the mount, and install it on the engine with the correct torque specifications.

    That's it, and now I have some nice quiet bearings.
     
  8. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,512
    Cape Canaveral/Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Walt P
    #8 WaltP, Mar 26, 2007
    I'm glad it worked out so easily. This is a great site.
     

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