AC clutch Falling Off

[Smoky]

When i got out of church this morning the AC wasnt cooling. I pulled into a parts house and raised the hood to find the AC clutch front plate was sticking out forward of the compressor and touching the radiator shroud. I pushed it back in and took a rod and shoved it as close as i could get it to the compressor. When i cranked the truck up and turned the ac on the clutch engaged to work the air. The ac worked pretty as you please. I left the switch on so hopefully when i turn the key on the first thing it does is magnatize the plate so it doesn't fall off. I know the plate was too far away for the magnetic relay to engage when it was falling out, but here are my questions:

Why is it falling off?

WHat keeps the plate on?

Can I fix it my self? (on vacation at my home in TN with most of my hand tools)

Help! She doesnt do well when the ac is out.

 

[DaveBen]

It looks like the clutch is held on with a 8mm bolt in the center of the compressor shaft. This bolt is tightened down to 10 ft lbs and you are done. Where is the bolt??

Dave

 

[Smoky]

It looks like the clutch is held on with a 8mm bolt in the center of the compressor shaft. This bolt is tightened down to 10 ft lbs and you are done. Where is the bolt??

Dave

Is it clockwise or counterclockwise? Gotta hunt the bolt. It was in it when i stopped earlier i thought but is not there now. I'll have to call the parts house and see if I can get the bolt. Should I take the plate off so that is not lost?

 

[Smoky]

Called the parts house that is ahead of everyone else and they said they could not get just the bolt. Will have to try the stealership tomorrow.

 

[DaveBen]

My Service DVD says nothing about a reverse bolt, so it is Righty Tighty, normal bolt.

Dave

 

[JLDickmon]

hardware store

 

[Smoky]

Any idea on the length of the bolt? Hardware store is an option.

 

[RoyBoy]

The bolt is pretty short, just long enough to hold the hub on, I'd guess 12-18 mm long. Make sure you get the correct thread pitch.

 

[Smoky]

The bolt is pretty short, just long enough to hold the hub on, I'd guess 12-18 mm long. Make sure you get the correct thread pitch.

Called the dealer over in Sevierville. He thought he had a bolt in stock

but will have it in the morning . He seemed to say that people come in for this bolt often is why he thought it was in stock.

Has anyone else had a problem with the bolt backing out of the clutch?

 

[DaveBen]

Not yet in 140,000 miles.

Dave