A/C Clutch needs replacing...
 

Hey all, I found a clutch kit here> http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-jkcenZ91sgk.

I am mainly curious if anyone has replaced them before? During the course of last summer, it would chirp during its' cycling. Since then, the idler and tensioner pulleys and the cam synchro have been replaced. The noise has been cut down a lot; but their is still something squeaking during warm-up. It'll go away eventually or sometimes not at all. It doesn't sound like a belt slip. It is a fairly high-pitched squeak that can turn into what sounds like a metal grind.

The tensioner pulley was replaced last week and I did check all the other pulleys. They all seemed to turn smoothly. The fan did not have any slack in it.

At this point, I am unsure as to what needs replacing. Hoping someone has some thoughts about this.

Thanks!!

Does the squeek go away if you run it without the belt ?
The alternator could have a bearing dried out also.

Haven't tried running w/o belt yet. Not sure if I want to remove the it again... The tensioner is such a PITA to move! Although, I'm not using a conventional tool either.

I'm going though the same thing right now. I have replaced my idler and tensioner pulley along with my belt and the chirp is still there. It sounds like its coming from the ac clutch. Found just the clutch at advanced for $100. What ever you do don't use belt dressing hoping for a quick or even temporary fix. That stuff just makes a big mess and more work later on. I'm gonna try to get that clutch in this weekend. I'll post any updates.

Is it a loud enough squeak to be the water pump? Has any coolant been purged from the water pump?

I had a similar issue/noise-chirping but only at start-up and when cold (like under 40degrees here in PHX!). I know it's not the A/C compressor - I deactivated it (bypassed it with a shorter belt) and noise/squeal/chirping was still present. Now that the over-night low is above 45degrees, noise/sqeal/chirping is gone!
Could it be the water pump?

'02 Ranger XLT; 4X4; Supercab; 4.0L

I have verified that it is my ac clutch. Installed a/c bypass pulley this passed weekend and the squeak is gone. i was just going to replace the a/c clutch but in doing so I noticed damage to the ac compressor. I'll just run the bypass till I have time to install a new compressor. $200 at autozone. I the mean time, no more squeak!