A/C Compressor removal method

[azu]

Short story, a/c delete pulley broke off and I am going to put old compressor (pulley bearings going, but still usable temporarily) back in. I didn't remove it last time and my question is can I place compressor in through the top of engine compartment or do I need to remove the tire? The car is not at my house, my daughters, so I can't check until tomorrow. Also which way do the bolts in the front of compressor (pulley side) go into the mounting? Do they enter by pulley side or the other side? Thanks!!

[zuper8]

I have always been able to take them out through the bottom, but the starter was out every time. not sure if you can do it with the starter in there.

[1fatcat]

I am going to put old compressor (pulley bearings going, but still usable temporarily) back in.

You can replace the compressor pulley bearing. You need a special puller/installer to do it, but a lot of part stores will loan you the tool for free. You need to buy the tool and then return it when done for a full refund. It's just a way for the store to make sure they get the tool back. If you do replace the bearing, do it before you put the compressor in the car. The compressor gets replaced from the bottom, through the wheel well. The bolts go in from the pulley side, except for one at the tail end of the compressor. You don't need to remove the starter, but I recommend disconnecting the battery so you don't short your wrenches on the live power cable on the starter.

[azu]

The compressor gets replaced from the bottom, through the wheel well. The bolts go in from the pulley side, except for one at the tail end of the compressor. You don't need to remove the starter, but I recommend disconnecting the battery so you don't short your wrenches on the live power cable on the starter.

I just got done. I found you can get compressor in and out through the wheel well without having to remove tire. The bolts would only thread through the rear and not the pulley side. I was going to replace the pulley but it wasn't cheap so I will probably go with another JY part or another bypass pulley. I did finally disconnect battery after I kept getting minor shocks. Thanks!