Hey Guys, I am having a little problem with my 97 bonneville

My car is making a horrible grinding sound coming from under my hood. It was very intermittent before, but now it does it non-stop. I narrowed it down to my forward most pulley/lowest one which i believe is the AC. So then.... I tinkered with the AC controls inside.

When I turn on my AC, the grinding noise stops, but makes a little whine comes on.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem...

Is it my complete unit? Just the pulley?

...I can't keep the AC on all winter, haha.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Sounds like the A/C clutch plate rattling when its not engaged. My 95 GA did the same thing until it completetly went out.

Most mechanics will want to change the entire compressor.

The clutch bearings sound like they are bad. It is possible to change the clutch only, however it requires removal of the compressor.

I was thinking of possibly just doing a belt minus the AC for a while. I am at school and i dont have the place, nor the tools to take care of things.

What is the number of the belt for minus AC component?

Will it eventually sieze if i drive like this too long?

Thanks!

Only thing I can find is a A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley at autozone. It uses your existing belt, but replaces the A/C compressor. 39 bucks for your model. Didn't find any undersize belts for no A/C.