I had the clutch on my 1996 V8 Explorer bind up during a road trip.  Just as I was thinking how cool the air was coming out of the vents, there was a squeeling sound and warm air started coming out of the vents.  I pulled over and the could see that the compressor was not turning over regardless of the a/c was switched on or off.  Ofcourse it was Saturday afternoon and all of the dealerships would be closing, but I was packed to go camping and was almost to where I needed to be.  I did an overnight camping trip and started back.  Houston was in one direction and Dallas, where I live, was in the other direction.  Houston was a little bit closer.  But I took a chance and came on back to Dallas.  As I approached Dallas, the clutch was going out as well and the belt was really squelling.  I made it back and parked it in the garage.  The next day, I started the truck and the belt broke right there in the garage.  I called the tow truck and had the Explorer towed to the dealership.  Total bill came to $1387 with compressor, disk/hub assembly, pully assembly, accumulator assembly, belt, and misc. parts replaced.  This was done in September 2002.  No a/c problems since.

 I carry a spare belt and the tools to remove and replace the belt, but with your clutch locked up, you're screwed.  In the old days, if your compressor locked up, you'd just cut the belt.  As long as your water pump could turn you could get down the road.

   "Krusty" <jaguilar013@satx.rr.com> wrote in message news:46ef513f$0$15350$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
   I have a question about my Air Conditioning Compressor on my 1996 Ford Explorer.  Can the compressor be removed and replaced without having to go through a professional shop.  My clutch is making noise, I think it is a bearing issue and the area around the clutch is reddish brown and you can smell a burning if you run the AC for a while.  The AC works fine and still blows cold air into the vehicle.  I am afraid that the compressor will lock up and leave my wife stranded.  Can I remove the old compressor and install a new one and use a recharge kit from an auto store to recharge it without problems.  The manual talks about flushing the system is this necessary or could I just change out the compressor and then recharge the system to get back in service. Is there any other components I should also change out when I change the compressor out?

   Thanks.  

   --
   Krusty

   I have not actually done it but I've been told that if the AC compressor freezes up you can disconnect the wiring connector going to the unit and still drive the car.  It seems to me it would still be hanging up but I guess it would be worth a try if the worst case happened.  Kinda makes you long for the old multi-belt system...