Pontiac Repair: 1996 Bonneville SE A/C compressor grinding, magnetic clutch, metal shavings

Question
QUESTION: I have a 96 Bonneville that is making a very noticable grinding noise from the A/C compressor and has visible ferrous metal grinding debris in the tray under the compressor and on the magnetic clutch.  The vehicle sat for quite some time.  The A/C has no freon in it and the clutch will not activate.  I need to evacuate the system and check for leaks, but have not had time yet.  Any idea where the grinding is coming from and is there any danger of the clutch hub freezing up?

Thanks, Scott W.

ANSWER: Hey Scott.

Well number 1 at the very least your going to need a clutch for the compressor. It may have had a rust build up between the hub that the belt drives and the clutch disc. if you can see metal shavings then it more than likely need both the hub and clutch. you need special tools to replace these parts so it's pretty much a job for the professional. sorry to say.. As for it seizing up?? Hard to say more than likely no but the noise id going to get worse and if the clutch comes apart it may start throwing bigger pieces out and cut the belt but not really likely... You may want to get a used compressor and put that on this car. just make sure that you drain the oil out of the old one and the new one and make sure they are the same amount. As for the leak in the system it could be anywhere... More than likely if you live in the rust belt part of the US is going to be the condenser leaking. the second most popular part to leak belive it or not is the evaporator core. The condenser is pretty much a do it your self job but the evaporator is not. ball park for the parts condenser 250.00, evaporator core 400.00 used compressor maybe 75-100.00 R134 a refrig. 25.00 Is this car worth spending the money????  It's 12 years old.... Good luck!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.  Since I last posted I have taken the belt off to check the compressor and clutch.  Both the clutch and the hub spin freely with no indication of a bearing failure.  The grinding is definitely caused by an interference betweent the clutch face and hub face.  As the hub rotates it is also rotating (very very slowly) the clutch.  The system is not totaly empty as there is a small bit of residual pressure.  I bought the car as a winter beater, but the interior is like new, the exterior looked like crap but was only due to GM's delaminating paint fraud.  After 4 hours with the DA the delaminating paint is gone, no rust and a sweet sounding motor.  Yeah, for 800 bucks it was worth it.

Answer
Your welcome. You may be able to just get away with replacing the clutch then. if you fan find the correct tools to do it once you get the clutch off sand down the hub and install a new clutch. Blow in a charge and hope for the best an A/c system that's working will help clear your windows on defogger mode ;)