96 Impreza, Squealing coming from AC compressor

[Jonathan Halterman]

My friend's 96 impreza has had some nasty squeeling coming from the AC
compressor area ever since he bought it a few months ago. The squealing is
there whether the AC is on or off. We did think it was just a bad belt, but
it really sounded more like a bad AC compressor pulley bearing. So we pulled
the AC belt off and when we spun the AC pulley, we could clearly hear that
it is definately the cause of the squealing, not the belt.

So, I'm guessing we have to replace the bearing inside the AC pulley? Does
anyone know how to go about this? Does the entire AC compressor need to be
taken apart? It would be nice to not have to discharge the system to do
this.

thanks,
jonathan

 

[Jim Stewart]

My friend's 96 impreza has had some nasty squeeling coming from the AC
compressor area ever since he bought it a few months ago. The squealing is
there whether the AC is on or off. We did think it was just a bad belt, but
it really sounded more like a bad AC compressor pulley bearing. So we pulled
the AC belt off and when we spun the AC pulley, we could clearly hear that
it is definately the cause of the squealing, not the belt.

Did you check the idler pulley? I assume it has one.
I had to remove mine and repack it for the same reason.

 

[Jonathan Halterman]

Did you check the idler pulley? I assume it has one.

I had to remove mine and repack it for the same reason.

Yep, in fact the idler pulley is making some noise too, so we're going to
replace the bearing in it. BUT, the real noise is 100% for sure coming from
the AC pulley and I have no idea how to get in there and fix it.

jonathan

 

[Jim Stewart]

Yep, in fact the idler pulley is making some noise too, so we're going to
replace the bearing in it. BUT, the real noise is 100% for sure coming from
the AC pulley and I have no idea how to get in there and fix it.

Don't have a clue, sorry.

 

[Henry Paul]

I have the factory manual for the '96 Impreza. Email me and I will see if I
can find what you need.