ufdan25

My AC compressor is broken and looks like it will need replaced. There are two plates on the front that I believe are supposed to spin with the drive belt but they don't, they actually make a horrific grinding sound when I turn the AC on. Anyway, I know I need to depressurize the system before I started disassembling any parts, Is this something I can do myself or will I need to take it to a shop?
Thanks...

ricebike

you can just replace the ac compressor clutch instead of the whole unit... that is unless the compressor housing is shot as well, and expelled refrigerant



that black thing that goes on your serpentine belt... there's tools that you can rent to remove it from the compressor

that electrical plug goes to a solenoid & that is locks the clutches to the drive pulley, "compressing" the refrigerant