R4 A/C Clutch...which Snap Ring do I remove?
 

Hi All,

I'm in the middle of replacing the a/c clutch on my 240D. The wires that connect to the field coil at the back of the coil have broken off and I need to remove the entire clutch with field coil to repair or replace with new. Anyway, I've removed the front clutch plate and as I am looking down into the shaft there are two snap rings. The front snap ring is large and is towards the front and appears to be in front of the bearing. The second snap ring is small and is way towards the back at the base of the shaft. Do I pull both snap rings or will just one snap ring release the coil/clutch assembly?

Thanks all

There are 3 different versions of clutches on those compressors.

It would help to post a picture. The latest doesn't even offer replacement clutch parts.

The car is a 1982 240D if that helps. I'll try to post a picture later on today after work.

I didn't know there were 3 different types of clutches on the R4 compressors. I thought they were standardized.

OK.

I tried loading pictures but am having trouble because of Windows Vista on my new PC and still am learning the new program. I'll try to describe what I see now.

Anyway, I was able to remove the front plate, and the rear plate which still has the bearing attached to it by removing the big front snap ring. After removing the rear plate, the coil is exposed which is bronz in color. On the coil at the edge of the lip extending forward is about two inches of some blue material that looks like plastic. Also, as I look in the middle of this area, there is nothing that I see that attaches the coil to the compressor. I do see, however, another small snap ring at the base of the shaft but I really don't think that is holding the coil in place which appears to hold the refrigerant seal in place. How do you remove the coil?