1998 S70 - AC Compressor hex bolt heads stripped... Suggestions?

[clarkerussell]

As a follow up to my dilemma... I was FINALLY able to extract the bolt using an Irwin/Hanson 9/32" extractor along with an impact gun... Like, my big 1/2" Dewalt one. I had to remove a lot of items out of the way including the fan, lower wiring harness that bolts to the engine mount, etc. Luckily the bolt for the other hose (suction) came right out.

I did make a mistake and replaced the bolt with one from the dealer. Turns out the new bolt was 5mm too long, but apparently there was sufficient room for it to tap deeper threads to fit. I was really worried about that, but it seems to have worked. Next step was to remove the receiver/dryer. After decoupling the inlet spring camps I had to remove the whole unit with the hose to the compressor because the nut on the original line was seized and would not turn. I ended up ordering a new Four Seasons hose to match the high pressure line and the Receiver/Dryer. I had intended to replace the expansion valve at this time, but I just couldn't get the line separated and I was ready to wrap this up... I hope that wasn't a terrible idea...

After all of this, I drew a vacuum for an hour, let it sit overnight, and then recharged with as close to 750g of r134 as I could get. It took a while to get the second can going as it the compressor would cycle for just a few seconds at a time. I'm assuming due to low refrigerant levels.

It seems to be holding 2 days later and the temps are good in the car, we'll see what happens in the coming days...

[abscate]

Anyone who can get the suction hose off the drier while in the car is a rock star.

The fastest way to do this is shear off the snout on the drier, take the compressor bolt off the line and get the drier and hose up on the bench to attack it. New drier, $20

Hours saved in agony on that 22mm big flare, 4-6

[misha]

Anyone who can get the suction hose off the drier while in the car is a rock star.

I did it!

But i lift weights...if that counts!

[scot850]

I have a lot of weight, but that did not help the last time I tried to do this.

I did the full pull of the drier and and then locked it in a vice to hold it while I could then get a good wrench on to it!

Neil.

[abscate]

I have a lot of weight, but that did not help the last time I tried to do this.

I did the full pull of the drier and and then locked it in a vice to hold it while I could then get a good wrench on to it!

Neil.

Lock the 22 in a vice, then a big pipe wrench on the soon to be junked drier…

[Sveedy]

^ Agreed. I love pipe wrenches, as long as you don't care about what you're removing. I've stood on them to break lose a stubborn fitting.
And you can always slip a piece of pipe over the handle and really get some torque going.
Anytime you can use something successfully, for something for which it wasn't intended, is a win in my book.

[scot850]

I have rescued my grandad's pipe wrenches that my Dad inherited when he passed now my Dad has passed. I love these things. The harder you turn them they lock on tighter so all you effort is going into trying to turn them not gripping them. One is about 30" long and is a real beast!

Neil.

[clarkerussell]

Anyone who can get the suction hose off the drier while in the car is a rock star.

The fastest way to do this is shear off the snout on the drier, take the compressor bolt off the line and get the drier and hose up on the bench to attack it. New drier, $20

Hours saved in agony on that 22mm big flare, 4-6

My issue is that the 22mm flare nut was seized. I had to unscrew the entire drier from the hose assembly. I tried to reuse the old hose thinking that's how the hose was supposed to work, but it just stripped the threads on my 1st replacement drier. That one was from UAC and it SUCKED... the threads and body were all aluminum and stripped like crazy. The Four Seasons one was MUCH better and nearly as solid as the original Volvo unit.

Regardless, the two hoses and the drier were only about $50 at Rock Auto, so not a big deal. The only real issue is that the hose from the drier to the compressor is straight while the original one had a slight bend in it to go under the oil cooler hose a little better. Not a huge deal, but I'll keep my eye on it over time to make sure it's not wearing through... and yes, I did keep the oil cooler as I already had new lines...

[abscate]

I’ll add that feedback to the aftermarket parts thread…thanks Clarke

On edit - done