It's been evac'd and charged twice to 18oz per spec
If its a shim is part number 6 what people are removing

 

I've removed the nut and tried extensively to remove the compressor clutch with no success.
I am sure that the washer is the problem on my Evos AC and I'm at a Los short of replacing the entire compressor any ideas on how to remove the clutch once the nut and belt are off? Do I need a specific tool?

 

After the nut is removed there's nothing else holding it in place,it should come off right away,the splines might be rusty and preventing it from sliding off,you can try to pry it off with a small flat head screwdriver,just remember only the top part of the clutch "hat" is the one that should come off.

 

Subscribed, I have the same issue

 

Try WD 40 or other bolt release type lubricants the clutch is just rusted onto the shaft. Be very careful removing it the clutch bends easy when pried on and can result in unbalance that is very difficult to remedy. Also I pried so hard I either ruined the bearings or bent the shaft. I will need to buy a new compressor now, replace and recharge. So just a word of caution to be careful. By the way my 03 Evos VIII AC has been broken since about 135k miles and I'm at 168k now I would have never figured out it was the shim issue had it not been for this forum. The dealership spent almost 2 hours trying to diagnose it until I cut off the flow of hourly money and another mechanich could not diagnose it either. Finally another mechanic I know decided the clutch was gone and needed to be replaced. Thats when I found this thread wish I would have found it sooner.

 

are you guys removing part number 6, the shim
i see no washer other than snaprings

 

Try this thread for more info.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=565221

Also it is the shim that looks like a washer that is in question. The service diagram shows it behind the coil but it is actually right behind the clutch (the first piece you pull off) its very easy access if your clutch isn't rusted onto the splines. If so you must be careful prying it off so as to not bend the armature clutch and not ruin the bearings in the pulley when you remove the clutch the shim could be either stuck to the clutch or on the shaft. Remove
The shim if needed replace with thinner shim put the clutch back on and check to see if it engages.
Good luck.

 

took the 14mm nut off
that hat came right out and the shim is right there
took out the shim
AC back to normal

 

is there any known harm to not run a shim at all?