Hey just bought my 01 supercrew 4x4 with the 5.4 the other day for a heck of a price. Got it home and now the ac clatters almost every other second. I'm 99 percent sure it's coming from the ac but may be something else nearby. Almost scarred to drive it and wanna get it fixed before it causes more problems. Thanks in advance.

 

Separated AC clutch hub and/or hub(pulley) bearing.

It usually helps if you get in there and look closely at it.

 

Thanks for your reply. Is this a ticking time bomb? It's gotten worse it seems. Was clattering every 5 sec and now clatters every couple sec. Do I just need to replace the end piece that has the triangular end on it or more?

 

It *cab* be a ticking time bomb, but you will have to get under there and check it closely.

Remove the clutch plate assembly(single 8mm bolt), it will probably fall apart when you do. Then, remove the serpentine belt and check the pulley bearings. If the bearings are good, then you only need the clutch hub and you can drive the vehicle without the hub installed. If the bearings are bad, then you also need a new pulley. If so, you should limit driving because the bearings can collapse causing the whole engine to lock up. If it locks up, it isn't going anywhere except on a tow truck.

 

I plan on looking at it as soon as this darn snow dies out and I have a good spot to do it at, so I don't get soaked. Just gonna let the truck sit and use my jeep. I have a feeling the bearing will probably be bad. I read somewhere putting it all back together I have to leave the correct air gap in between the clutch and pulley. Is there a specific way to do this or do I just tighten it down snug and it will be correct due to the shims/washers?

 

Feeler gauges.