Can the clutch on these Denso AC compressors be adjusted on older high mileage vehicles by taking out “washers” (shims) ?
There are internet posts saying clutches are more likely to be noisy and going bad than compressors, and that some clutches can be adjusted?
FSM section 24-16 has quite a lot about the clutch.
FSM Section 24-72 does not mention this section 24-16 info when it describes the clutch health check testing procedure.
The clutch does have internal shims, similar to washers of a very thin thickness.
The FSM suggests starting with a stack of shims whose total thickness amounts to 0.010 inches (2.54 mm )
then measuring the “air gap” between clutch plate and pulley face
and adding or subtracting shims until
the air gap falls within the range of 0.014 and 0.024 inches (0.35 to 0.60 mm)
There is also a hidden bearing inside the clutch that is packed and sealed with grease.
Would its factory fill of grease be going bad after 16 years, or the grease retainment lip seals be shot?
This “clutch bearing” is separate from the two internal, sealed from air, bearings supporting the freon compressor shaft.
Those two internal bearing are lubed from the “compressor oil” mixed with the freon gas.
The location of this AC clutch in minivans is low to the road surface and subject to rainwater and road grit.
In contrast, the AC clutch on Ram pickups, Durangos, etc is high up in the engine compartment and sheltered from water/grit from the road surface.