When operating a car, bearing failure is a very common malfunction. The reason may be incorrect tension of the drive belt, water ingress when driving through a deep puddle, etc. As the bearing deteriorates, pulley play begins to appear. When the play reaches a critical value, the bearing begins to heat up and fails. In the most advanced cases, the bearing jams, and the inner race of the bearing rotates on the landing neck of the compressor cover. After that, the compressor has to be replaced, and this is a very expensive repair at specialized services.
In order not to expose yourself to unnecessary expenses, when inspecting the car, pay attention to unusual noises during the operation of the air conditioning compressor. If you suspect a problem with the pulley bearing, remove the drive belt (see «Replacing accessory drive belts») and turn the pulley by hand. The pulley should rotate on the bearing evenly, silently, without jamming. There must be no axial and radial play.
If necessary, replace the bearing without waiting for its complete destruction. Bearing replacement requires special equipment, so if necessary, contact a specialized service center for servicing automotive air conditioners.