A/C Destroyed

[kj-7]

Driving up to Chicago last week, a semi shed a D-ring from incoming traffic that happened to settle itself in my '04 a/c condenser (a/c radiator in front of the actual radiator). Luckily it passed right through the empty spaces in the front grill where there are vertical black flexible plastic slats, so there was really no grill damage. But it collapsed that whole radiator condenser and all of the gas escaped. I'm thinking I will just replace it myself and then take it into to a shop to have the a/c recharged.

Has anyone replaced this or have any tips? I thought I saw a grill removal thread on here somewhere but doesn't look difficult to get the grill off.

The upside is that my mileage has gone up without using the a/c , but I still need to get it fixed. The humidity here in the midwest can be overbearing at times.

 

[LibertyOrDeath]

I just replaced the radiator on my 2006, which the condenser bolts to.

Remove the grill. It should just snap on and off.

Remove 4 10MM bolts on top of the cross bar going over the radiator, skipping the 2 bolts inside the circles that bolt down the headlights.

Remove 2 10MM bolts that are under the hood latch and the 1 10MM bolt that bolts the hood latch to the plastic sub-grill.

Depending upon your year you will have 4 more 10MM bolts to remove the transmission oil cooler and the condenser from the radiator mounts.

The line connectors are 13MM, unbolt them and you should be able to pull the condenser up and out.

 

[kb0nly]

Man that *****, at least it just got the condensor and you didn't get body damage, or worse take out a windshield....

Insurance deductible is more than the cost of the parts i'm sure.

 

[BigRich201]

Remove the grill. It should just snap on and off

before doing that there are 4 torx screws you gotta take out

 

[Marlon_JB2]

before doing that there are 4 torx screws you gotta take out

It depends on model year. '02-'04s require the 4 torx screws, then it lifts off. '05-'07 just magically snap on/off then lift off. Money saved on buying screws.

 

[jnaut]

Driving up to Chicago last week, a semi shed a D-ring from incoming traffic that happened to settle itself in my '04 a/c condenser (a/c radiator in front of the actual radiator). Luckily it passed right through the empty spaces in the front grill where there are vertical black flexible plastic slats, so there was really no grill damage. But it collapsed that whole radiator condenser and all of the gas escaped. I'm thinking I will just replace it myself and then take it into to a shop to have the a/c recharged.

Has anyone replaced this or have any tips? I thought I saw a grill removal thread on here somewhere but doesn't look difficult to get the grill off.

The upside is that my mileage has gone up without using the a/c , but I still need to get it fixed. The humidity here in the midwest can be overbearing at times.

Wow, so my totally cosmetic expanded wire grill inserts might actually serve a legitimate purpose?

 

[kj-7]

Mine is the 2004 model. So, take out the torx screws then pull off grill. think I can manage that. I didn't know if jeep put any of those stupid plastic rivets on there like the fender flares.

MidnightLiberty, how much did it run you to have the a/c recharged?

It's a good thing this happened during such a weak summer. I may wait to buy the parts this winter when I hit the lottery.