Kermit's Latest Adventure

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My daughter was driving home from Baylor last Thursday. As she pulled in to the Bucees in Madisonville, TX she noticed the A/C was not blowing cold air and there was a noise from the engine. She called me as she was parking to let me know there was something wrong. She told he gauges were reading normal and the noise was related to engine RPM, and not MPH. When she parked, I asked her not to turn off the motor, but to open the hood and describe what she sees and hears. She said everything looked normal, but there was a clicking. I asked her what she wanted to do, continue on home or did she want me to come get her and bring Kermit home by trailer. She chose the latter. I got on the phone to Uhaul to get a car transport, but they would not rent me one since I told them I was going to use my wife's van to pull it. Earlier that morning, my Tahoe had an alternator go bad so the van was the choice. I was getting too frustrated with Uhaul so I asked my wife to deal with them and to get a trailer, not a dolly. I quickly pulled the alternator, and went to the parts store to get a replacement. About the time I had the Tahoe ready to go, my wife found a trailer in Humble which was sort of on our way but about 20 minutes or so out of the way. I was grateful that this Uhaul place stayed open until we got there about 8:00 pm. We finally got to the Bucees in Madisonville around 10:00 pm. My daughter had waited there for about 6 hours, and was ready to head home. When I started Kermit the scraping bearing noise confirmed my daughter made the right decision. We finally got back home about 1:00 am.

Here we are refueling the Tahoe with Kermit loaded on the trailer.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/KermitBucees_zpshbco8zj0.jpg

I have been hinting at buying my own car hauler trailer so after this trip, I think my wife is ready to buy one :)

I have not looked further into what the issue is but I think it is the bearing on the A/C compressor.

Here is a quick video of what the noise sounds like:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/th_KermitBearing_zpsmx7bm3gf.mp4 (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/KermitBearing_zpsmx7bm3gf.mp4)

[4.3LXJ]

From the vid, I would say you made the right choice. AC compressor sounds bad

[matchframe]

From the vid, I would say you made the right choice. AC compressor sounds bad

That is what I think it is too. Fortunately, I still have the compressor from the parts XJ I had. The A/C was running pretty good before I started taking that Jeep apart. I am hoping that compressor is still good.

[4.3LXJ]

If it was me, I would replace the seal in it

[matchframe]

If it was me, I would replace the seal in it

The seal in the replacement compressor?

[4.3LXJ]

Yes. They can leak refrigerant

[matchframe]

Yes. They can leak refrigerant

Good idea ! Thanks !!

[4.3LXJ]

I would also suggest that you replace the accumulator on the frame rail. It may have filtered out some metal from when the bearing went bad

[matchframe]

I would also suggest that you replace the accumulator on the frame rail. It may have filtered out some metal from when the bearing went bad

Will do. Thanks ! :thumbsup:

[matchframe]

Question, to replace the seal in the compressor, I would guess that the pulley would need to be removed.... does that take special tools to remove and replace the pulley?

[matchframe]

Question, to replace the seal in the compressor, I would guess that the pulley would need to be removed.... does that take special tools to remove and replace the pulley?

After searching and watching a few youtube videos, I now know what seals you were talking about. :thumbsup:

[Brasscatz]

definitely an adventure, time for more jeep wrenching bonding with the daughter :thumbsup:

[XJ Wheeler]

Good timing though, that she was able to wait somewhere nice. Hope that other compressor fixes it. Definitely time to get a trailer! :D

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[matchframe]

Turns out to be the pulley bearing. Click pic for short video: http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/th_KermitBearing2_zpsje0lwub6.mp4 (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/matchframe/BDG/KermitBearing2_zpsje0lwub6.mp4)

Can this bearing be replaced without opening the A/C system?

[matchframe]

Turns out that just the pulley bearing went bad. The pulley from my spare compressor will not fit, it is a 4770 Sanden and the one on Kermit is a 4691 Sanden. I could have replaced the compressor, but I really did not want to open the system so I researched replacing the bearing. Since I don't have a press, I opted to find a pulley with bearing in place. There are not a lot of places that sell these, but I did find one in Florida that does. Here is a link to where I bought one: http://www.autoaironline.com/

I just did a tracking on it and it should show up on Monday. So today, I will be replacing the rear wheel bearings. Before she went back to school just before Easter, I drove Kermit and noticed noise from the back of the Jeep. I felt the hubs when I got out and the driver's side hub was hot compared to the passenger side. I had planned to replace the bearings the Easter weekend, but the A/C issue changed the schedule around.

My wife took Allison back to Baylor last Monday and will go pick her up next Thursday. My plan is to have Kermit ready for her to drive it, sort of as a road test. To show my faith, I will not reserve a car hauler. :patriot:

[matchframe]

I am about to button up the rear end after replacing the bearings. This is the Chrysler 8.25 rear end. Question, along with the 80 - 90 weight gear lube, do I need to add any additives? Like for limited slip posi ?? Not sure if it is a limited slip or not. How can I tell?

Thanks !

[oderdene]

they are different shape, open diff is pea like, posi/lsd is rectangular,
http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/27801485+w660+re0/129_1007_04%2Bford_f150_limited_slip_differential% 2Bauburn_kit.jpg

[matchframe]

Thanks ! I learn something new everyday ! :thumbsup:

Mine is the one on the right. Makes sense since it is a two wheel drive.