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> wrote in message
ups.com...
>I have a 1990 Plymouth Sundance, bought it new, have had it for 16
> years, it's getting a little long in the tooth but I've kept it up
> mechanically and it's a good "running around town" car.
>
> A couple of weeks ago, the air conditioning cut out. I took it to my
> mechanic and learned that what had happened ... since he found this
> part laying on the engine where it had come off ... was the plate
> that's the front part of the clutch assembly (you have this plate, then
> the clutch, then the coil, if that gives folks a better idea of what
> I'm talking about) had broken.

I know exactly what you mean.

>
> Of course you can't buy just that plate. You have to buy the entire
> clutch assembly. I tried the recyclers and they wouldn't sell the
> clutch assembly separate from the compressor, which is understandable.

Yes, I've been down that road.

>
> However, I found a clutch and compressor assembly from a recycler, with
> a one-year guarantee, for a very good price and ordered it. I figured
> "what the heck," my mechanic could take that plate off to replace my
> broken one and if the rest of the clutch and compressor go out ... and
> they're all in good working order, FYI ... I'll already have the parts
> in hand.

Makes good sense, but I already know what you are going to say next.

>
> The clutch and compressor arrived today ... and it's not going to work,
> at least from the standpoint of being able to take the clutch plate off
> and replace my broken one, because they're two different plates, even
> the shaft that goes through from the A/C to the clutch is different. On
> mine, there's a nut that holds the plate onto the shaft, along with one
> other part that I'm going to discuss later. On this one, there's an
> actual bolt that connects into the shaft, looks like it literally
> screws in. I imagine what the deal is, this compressor/clutch is not
> out of a 1990 Plymouth Sundance but will work on one if you replace the
> whole unit.

Yep, This is common. What actually happens is that the car maker dosen't use
the same compressor on every car made that year. Sometimes they find a
source for a cheaper compresor during the production run on a model and
begin using the different compressor. They might even do it because they
found out that the original compressor they were using had a problem, so
they switched to a different compressor.

>
> I'm sure the next question is "why not replace the whole unit?" My
> mechanic, who I trust completely from him working on my cars for years,
> says he would prefer not to do that except as an absolute last resort,
> because of the trouble in doing it, the fact that I'd have to recharge
> the unit after just recharging the Freon in my current unit, and
> because in his judgment it could touch off other problems elsewhere in
> my A/C system.

Exactly. Changing just the clutch is a much better idea if you can get away
with it.

>
> So, I sat that aside and went to the local parts store and purchased a
> new clutch assembly ... cost significantly more than the
> clutch/compressor I got from the recycler, but I'm trusting my
> mechanic's judgment on whether to change the whole thing or not ...
> took it to my mechanic and he said it will work fine, but there's one
> problem.
>
> I mentioned that there's a nut that holds this plate onto the shaft
> coming out of the A/C in my car. There was one other thing, a little
> rectangular looking black metal pin, almost like a key pin or
> something. You can see the notch for this pin on the clutch plate. My
> mechanic says it fits onto the shaft to keep the plate steady. He says
> if you don't have this, all the parts will wobble, etc., and the end
> result will likely be tearing everything up.

That pin is called a key. They come in many shapes and sizes. but you have
to have one that will fit correctly, and you can not just leave it out.

>
> The problem is, this little pin broke when the plate broke off on my
> car. And there was not a new one included with the clutch assembly.

Seems to me that the last time I bought a clutch, the key came with it.
Maybe you should ask the parts store to check and see if the one you got had
the key missing, or maybe they could get you a key for it.


>
> I'm sorry to be going so long in getting to the point on this ...
> basically, can anyone tell me what this pin is called and how I might
> go about getting another one, or if it's not possible to get another
> one what might work as an acceptable substitute?

Most parts stores or hardware stores carry an assortment of keys . You might
be able to find one that will fit and buy just the key. You might even be
able to make one if you find something close enough to fitting with just a
little filing or grinding. Perhaps a drill bit the correct size, cut to
length and ground flat if necessary.. Be careful though. Some times the key
is half moon shaped (thats called a woodruf key) and the new key must be
exactly the same shape. It must fit well or the clutch may begin to move
back and forth on the shaft and eventually fail again.

>
> Because as I said, I'm trusting my mechanic's judgment in his opinion
> that the best course of action here is just fixing the plate instead of
> changing out the entire clutch and compressor. But if I can't find a
> replacement for this little pin, I may have to change out the whole
> thing and just keep my fingers and toes crossed and say a prayer.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
>

As long as you are sure the compressor is still good, you would be better
off just replacing the clutch. I wonder though, if the clutch plate did not
maybe brake because the compressor locked up or something like that. Make
sure the compressor shaft still turns freely and doesn't get in a bind, or
you will just ruin the new clutch.

Good luck,


--
Disclaimer:
Due to the nature of solving problems over the internet being mostly
guesswork,
please do not consider the above recommendations as the only possible
solutions.

--
Kevin Mouton
Automotive Technology Instructor
"If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy"
Red Green