A/C Bracket broken, lost both belts

[grendiers]

I have a complete A/C setup out of an '88 924S that I'm going to remove. Includes all brackets that you might need, the compressor, and hoses! How's that! Not cheap though, removing this crap is painful.

[Gawernator]

Thanks for your advice dangerous. And also thanks for the offer but what I need is a new belt, the tensioner strut, and probably another compressor and the missing bolt.

[JAXTURBO]

That is exactly what happened to me in Virginia at night travelling back to New York from Florida many moons ago. The ear from the compressor sheared off. I used 2 clothes hangers to literally tie the compressor up. It held all the way back to New York. Of course I ditched the PS belt, and travelled without a/c. As for a temp fix, I was able to fashion bracketry out of 2 old school general motors alternator adjustment brackets using another mounting ear on the compressor. Your compressor is probably still functional. Mine was. That shade-tree old school bracket held on for years. When the compressor clutch finally quit I replaced the whole compressor itself, but it functioned without issue for a good 6 years or so.

[Gawernator]

That sounds like exactly the fix I need to save me from buying a new compressor. I just figured out the missing ear is gone, so nothing to re attach. Could a shop fabricate something to hold it in place? Or am I doomed to go broke on a new compressor heh

[dangerous]

where in CA are you? email me at eddie119@yahoo.com and I'll give you a name and number where you can get a compressor cheap (maybe free if he's in a good mood).

[Gawernator]

I sent a message.

[Gawernator]

Okay, one more hurdle. I got all the bolts holding the compressor off but didn't notice the wire connected to it. I finally managed to get the screw off without stripping it, but there's still another wire that is hard wired in. Do I need to just cut it? How will I reconnect the replacement? I thought maybe it unplugs at the other end but the wire just goes all the way and disappears into the firewall.

[Volhv]

The aft bolt is a standard m8 x 55.
The one that you still have is a m10 x 1,25 x 50, but from the picture, the threads look to be mangled.

As far as the tensioning strut goes, check to see if it's the RH, or LH threaded rod end that broke. You should be able to find a metric rod end (hardware store) if it's the one with the RH thread. Buying a whole OEM rod is not cheap. Even used. At least I couldn't find one when I needed one. Mind you, in Western Canada we don't have 944's at auto wreckers.

[Gawernator]

It's the right hand side that is broken, that connects to the compressor. I can buy just the part that broke off, don't have to replace the whole strut?! And I will double check the bolt threads, I looked up close and they actually looked fine to me, but was dirty. Maybe that's just reflecting ugly in the photo, I will look again. Thanks for the bolt sizes, I was going to run to NAPA tomorrow and get the missing hardware. My uncle is a manager at an auto parts store, hopefully I can get a compressor from there with that family discount at a great price, or I will call Parts Heaven in CA. Hopefully I can have the car in running shape by Friday sundown. :S

Also, any ideas on that electrical cable? I'm clueless

[Volhv]

Man, am I a nice guy , I just went outside and took a picture.
There's a plastic sleeve that hides a blade connection. Mine's a 86 NA also, so it should be the same on yours. It looks factory since it has a vw/audi logo on it.
I can take this opportunity to show off my freshly cleaned bracket, and block.

[JAXTURBO]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

That sounds like exactly the fix I need to save me from buying a new compressor. I just figured out the missing ear is gone, so nothing to re attach. Could a shop fabricate something to hold it in place? Or am I doomed to go broke on a new compressor heh

I didnt fabricate anything, which I'm sure can be done. I used 2 of those slotted alternator adjustment arms on another mounting ear. Worked fine until the clutch went many years later...

[seafeye]

And i have a compressor and bracket from a '87 available as well.
My car was 134 before i removed the system. It worked great but not worthwhile in a race car.

[Rasta Monsta]

Might have a look at this:

Cheap DIY A/C delete bracket

[Gawernator]

Parts Heaven got me a compressor for $150, tensioning strut for $25, and the belt for $18. Only missing that one bolt so I'll run down to NAPA/Home Depot and get one. Parts will be here tomorrow. Since I'm using r134 will I need to use the o rings from my old compressor and put them in the new one?

[dangerous]

Originally Posted by Rasta Monsta

Might have a look at this:

Cheap DIY A/C delete bracket

Good post!

[JERRY B]

Always use new orings
What part of ca. are you in?
Jerry

[Gawernator]

East bay Area, 45 minutes or so East of San Francisco. Brentwood.

[thomas1984944]

Why can't you just use the ac bracket that is there?

same thing just happened to my 84.

[Bradical]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

Parts Heaven got me a compressor for $150, tensioning strut for $25, and the belt for $18. Only missing that one bolt so I'll run down to NAPA/Home Depot and get one. Parts will be here tomorrow. Since I'm using r134 will I need to use the o rings from my old compressor and put them in the new one?

No, chances are the replacement compressor will not come with O-rings for the hose connections. You can pick up an A/C O-ring kit of assorted sizes for ~$10 at autozone or advanced (whichever), but O-rings are only replaced to make sure that the oil that might be on them doesn't mix with the new oil and cause them to deteriorate during a refrigerant swap. There aren't special R-134a O-rings.

It is important, however, to determine if the compressor comes pre-charged with oil inside. If it has mineral oil, it needs to be swapped.

[v2rocket_aka944]

You'll lose your ac charge but the compressor can mount upsidedown to keep the belt tight.
I can ship a belt tensioner or two Monday if you need one , $21 shipped for one or $36 for two?