How to Replace the AC Compressor on a GMC 1500

I recently swapped the AC compressor on my 1995 GMC K1500 Suburban. The compressor and procedure are the same for many other Chevy and GMC trucks including the 2500 and 3500.

Replacing the AC compressor on a GM 350 engine is not nearly as hard as it looks. The compressor is held to the engine by an aluminum cradle. The cradle does not have to be removed to replace the compressor. There are simply three bolts that hold the compressor to the cradle that have to be removed.

Note that this procedure only covers the physical swap of the compressor, not he associated tasks related to servicing the AC system after a compressor failure.

Begin by removing the freon from the system. If you want to have it reclaimed, take it to a shop that does this.

Remove the two electrical connections to the compressor.

Next remove the freon lines form the back of the compressor. The manifold is held in place by a single bolt. Mine was 15 MM.

Use a pry bar to move the belt tensioner and slide the belt off. I found the easiest pulley to get the belt off of was the smooth idler below the compressor.

With the freon lines out of the way, the bolts are much easier to access. There are nuts on the back and the bolt heads are held in place by a boss on the front. Mine were 9/16".

With the nuts removed the bolts can be pushed out the front. However, it appears that they will not clear the clutch. However, there is a flat cut on each bolt. Rotate the flat to be next to the clutch and the bolts will slide out. A pry bar can be used to get just a little extra clearance if the bolt does not slide past easily.

On mine, one bolt also interfered with the fan shroud. I found that by removing the bolts that hold the shroud to the front header, the shroud could be moved enough to get the bolt out.

With the bolts all out, the compressor simply lifts out of the cradle.

With the compressor out, I had to swap a pressure switch that did not come with my replacement compressor. This switch is held in place with a snap ring.

Before attempting to slide the new compressor back into the cradle, take time to tap the bolt hole inserts all the way to the back of the cradle. This will make inserting the new compressor much easier. They will press back into the proper place when the nuts are tightened.

Slide the bolts back in by again aligning the flat spot on each bolt with the clutch and slide it in. Place the nuts on each bolt and tighten.

Reconnect the electrical connections to the compressor.

Secure the fan shroud.

Make sure the belt is routed correctly and use a pry bar to move the tensioner and slip the belt back in place.

Add the proper amount of oil and reattach the freon lines to the compressor.

You can now have the system serviced and the freon replaced.

How to Replace the AC Compressor on a GMC 1500

Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner

How to Replace the AC Compressor on a GMC 1500

How to Replace the AC Compressor on a GMC 1500
How to Replace the AC Compressor on a GMC 1500

Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner

Mercedes-Benz Specifications & Adjustments For Wheel Alignment

Mercedes-Benz Specifications & Adjustments For Wheel Alignment

MERCEDES-BENZ Rear Suspension

Mercedes-Benz rear suspension is independent type with coil springs and 5 individual links. Rear axle carrier is mounted to body at 4 points and supports rear axle assembly.

Shock absorbers and coil springs are mounted on rubber bushings to reduce vibration and noise.
ADJUSTMENT

SPECIFICATIONS & ADJUSTMENTS FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Use self-locking bolts and nuts with plastic coating (micro-encapsulated) only once. Refinish threads with tap prior to screwing in self-locking bolts.

SHOCK ABSORBERS

1. Remove trunk lining. Remove nut and rubber ring of upper shock mount. Raise vehicle on rear axle.

2. Remove holding clamps on spring link and remove cover. Remove lower shock absorber mounting bolt. Pull shock absorber downward and remove from vehicle.

CAUTION: When removing gas shock absorbers while vehicle is raised and axle tension relieved, do not rotate piston rod while loosening main strut nut. This could result in the sudden extension of the piston rod.
Removal

To install, reverse removal procedure.

COIL SPRINGS

1. Raise vehicle and remove rear wheel. Remove holding clamps of spring link cover and remove cover. Insert Spring Tensioner 201 589 00 31 00 with spring Tensioning Plates 201 589 00 63 00. Compress spring until spring link is free of load.

2. Remove shock absorber as previously outlined. Remove rear spring with rubber mount. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Use extreme caution when removing gas pressurized shock absorbers.
Removal & Installation

REMOVAL REAR SUSPENSION & AXLE

1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Remove wheel assemblies. Disconnect exhaust system at flange connection. Remove intermediate lever of parking brake and disconnect cable controls.

2. Disconnect both brake lines and seal. Loosen clamp nut of drive shaft and intermediate bearing on frame floor and remove. Disconnect rear of drive shaft and slide forward, out of centering position. Wire drive shaft to brake cable holder.

3. Remove spring link covering. Remove shock absorbers and coil springs. Loosen torsion bar connection toward rear axle and remove.

4. On vehicles with ABS, drain rear axle. Remove RPM sensor from rear axle housing. Cover magnetic edge of RPM sensor.

5. On vehicles with auxiliary heater, remove electric fuel pump and suspension plate of exhaust. Remove the cable connector from rear axle cross member. Raise rear axle assembly to lift stop. Force water drain hose out of rear axle carrier.

6. On vehicles with CIS-E fuel injection system, pinch fuel suction hose between fuel tank and fuel pump with a clamp. Loosen clamp on fuel hose to accumulator and pump. Remove fuel hose.

7. On all models, remove front and rear rubber mounts on frame floor and remove with stop plate. Lower the rear axle assembly from vehicle.

CAMBER STRUT

1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Rubber mounts of camber strut cannot be replaced individually. If rubber mounts are damaged, replace camber strut.

2. Remove strut-to-axle carrier bolt. Remove strut-to-wheel carrier bolt. Force clamping sleeve of strut out of wheel carrier.

3. Remove camber strut at axle carrier while pulling slightly outward on wheel carrier. Remove strut in a downward direction.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Bleed brake system and adjust parking brake. Ensure differential is filled to proper level.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Axle shaft must be horizontal prior to tightening camber strut nut.

PULLING STRUT

1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Rubber mounts of pulling strut cannot be replaced individually. If rubber mounts are damaged, replace pulling strut.

2. Mark position of eccentric bolt in relation to axle carrier. Using Wrench 201 589 00 03 00, remove strut-to-axle carrier nut. Prior to pulling out eccentric bolt, push wheel carrier in forward direction to slacken.

3. Remove strut-to-wheel carrier bolt. Force clamping sleeve of pulling strut out of wheel carrier. Remove pulling strut.

1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Remove rod-to-wheel carrier nut. Using Puller (201 589 01 33 00) and Thrust Piece (201 589 05 63 00), force track rod from wheel carrier.
2. Mark position of eccentric bolt in relation to axle carrier. Remove rod-to-axle carrier nut. Remove cam disk, eccentric bolt and track rod.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Grease from ball pin and conical seat in wheel carrier. Hold ball pin with an Allen wrench while tightening. Axle shaft must be horizontal prior to tightening tracking rod-to-axle carrier nut.

PUSHING STRUT

1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Remove pushing strut cover. Rubber mounts of pushing strut cannot be replaced individually. If rubber mounts are damaged, replace pushing strut. Remove strut-to-axle carrier bolt. Remove strut-to-wheel carrier bolt with washer and contour disk.

2. Turn strut on rear axle carrier downward. Force clamping sleeve out of wheel carrier. Remove pushing strut.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Axle shaft must be horizontal prior to tightening pushing strut nuts.

SPRING LINK

1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Remove spring link cover. Remove lower shock absorber bolt. Remove torsion bar from spring link. Remove coil spring as previously outlined.

2. Remove spring link-to-axle carrier bolt. Remove spring link-to-wheel carrier bolt. Remove spring link.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Axle shaft must be horizontal prior to tightening spring link nuts.

WHEEL CARRIER

1. Loosen collar nut fastening rear axle shaft prior to lifting vehicle and removing wheel. Using Remover (201 589 00 61 00), remove rear axle shaft out of rear axle shaft flange.

2. Remove brake caliper and hang out of way using a hook. Remove brake disc. Remove intermediate lever of parking brake and disengage cable control. Pull out lock on hand brake cable.

3. Remove camber strut-to-wheel carrier bolt. Force clamping sleeve of strut out of wheel carrier. Remove pulling strut-to-wheel carrier bolt. Force clamping sleeve of pulling strut out of wheel carrier.

4. Mark position of eccentric bolt of pulling strut in relation to axle carrier. Using Wrench (201 589 00 03 00), remove strut-to-axle carrier nut. Remove complete pulling strut.

5. Remove track rod-to-wheel carrier nut. Using Puller (201 589 01 33 00) and Thrust Piece (201 589 05 63 00), force track rod from wheel carrier.

6. Mark position of eccentric bolt of track rod in relation to axle carrier. Remove rod-to-axle carrier nut. Remove cam disk, eccentric bolt and complete track rod.

7. Remove nut of pushing strut on wheel carrier and remove with washer, contour disk and bolt. Force clamping sleeve out of wheel carrier.

8. Remove nut on spring link and remove from wheel carrier. Pull complete wheel carrier from rear axle shaft.

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. If position of eccentric bolts were not marked for pulling strut and track rod, position eccentric bolts in center position.

2. Prior to tightening any nuts axle shaft must be in horizontal position. Clean grease from ball pin and conical seat of track rod. Check toe-in and track angle of rear wheels.

Mercedes-Benz Specifications & Adjustments For Wheel Alignment

Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner

Mercedes-Benz Specifications & Adjustments For Wheel Alignment

Mercedes-Benz Specifications & Adjustments For Wheel Alignment
Mercedes-Benz Specifications & Adjustments For Wheel Alignment

Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner