Replacing AC Clutch

Is the process of swapping the AC clutch while compressor is installed very tricky at all? It looks very straight-forward to me, but was curious from anyone who has done it.

Background - I have an intermittent slight pulley squeal when warming up the truck in below freezing temperatures which lasts about 5 mins. Just a PIA. Did it last winter and is back this winter. Since last year, I've done the full timing/WP job with all idlers/tensioner, replaced the fan clutch as it was bad, serpentine belt, drive belt pulley and tensioner unit. I started the truck with the serpentine removed and its quiet, so it must be either the alternator,PS, or AC pulleys. I have a stethoscope but really not helpful as the whole engine bay makes that thing loud. After spinning all 3 of those, the only one with much tension is the alternator I guess since its a wound motor. My ears are telling me it sounds closer to the AC side but its tough to tell. For under $100, I can give the AC clutch a shot. Thoughts?

I should add that the AC system works great and there is no change of squeal when I put AC on or off. Looking to avoid system maint. since the AC works great.

Thanks Guys! Steve

 

https://www.tundras.com/posts/2530414

 

Even when these trucks were new, the belts would squeal. At the time, many would replace the original serpentine belt with a Goodyear Gatorback.

My 04 would have a bit of noise when cold for just a little bit, then it would go away.

If you go monkeying with hard parts like that, make certain that part is the issue.

 

Beat me to it. @SteveT definitely read that TSB if you haven't already. Others reporting same symptoms have found that was the cause of the squeal, and during cold temps mainly.

Here's the VIN start/stop ranges impacted:

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Point well taken dt325ic. I'll give the Continental/Goodyear belt a shot if I can find it. My new one is Gates I believe.

 

I love my Gates HD belt (green). Always take their stuff over Conti and GY.

 

Man I thought I was a decent Googler but I just can't find the part number of the "Elite" version of this belt for the 4.7. Only find the straight rib version and not shown on Continental part picker interface.

 

I think the old Gatorback/Elite style may have been discontinued.

I always had good luck with the durability of OE belts, even with a slight noise when cold. The standard Gates belts are fine, but they don't last as long.

The last belt that I had was either a Mitsuboshi or Bando -- I don't recall which -- but it was silent.

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,2002,tundra,4.7l+v8,1389001,belt+drive,belt,8900

It looks like the same Gates HD belt I used on my truck is a fit for yours. K060908HD. It's the same as the AC Delco part with the same p/n, but $4 cheaper. This product is considered to be heavier-duty than anything Continental makes, per RockAuto. Most of the Conti belts are "standard replacement" while Gates is "heavy duty replacement".

 

Thanks guys - I'll give the Gates HD a try. That TSB is interesting, I wish I knew about the updated tensioner when I had everything apart for the timing belt job. I used an ACDelco tensioner since the one I had ordered originally came with the wrong size pulley. I'm not pulling that stuff apart again for small squeal. Thanks!!

 

Update: With the Cont. Elite/Gator belt unavailable, I went with the Gates HD (green), and sorry to say the small squeal persists. Really not that big a deal, just annoying. Has anyone actually followed the TSB with the upgraded components and solved the squeal? I'm willing to go as far as the upgraded AC mount bracket, but not going to ever bother with the upgraded tensioner since I just installed a new one (ACDelco Gold 38173) during my timing belt job.

TSB reposted here.