Sable Air Conditioner Clutch Bearing

[Hookmaster]

My daughter's car, 1996 Mercury Sable, broke down on Friday. The bearing on the clutch of the ac compressor froze, which broke the serpentine belt. Can just the clutch be replaced or does the compressor need to be replaced? Can you put an idler pulley on instead or bypass the ac pulley?

[Scott K]

If the compressor is locked up, unplug it, and replace the bearing.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

The compressor clutch assembly can be replace separately from the compressor.

With the engine off can you spin the compressor by hand? yes= replace Clutch. No=replace the clutch and disconnect the compressor clutch wiring.

check the belt tensioner.

off the top of my head I do not know if the compressor has to be removed to replace the clutch.