Finally got around to checking out the ac clutch. Mine would only stay engaged for a little while and then cut out, and it is getting hot now, so had to be done.
I was at a junk yard and found one easily accessible and in decent condition, so I removed it and learned the process. Was relatively easy and once snap rings were removed, components came apart easily.
Mine, not so much. I got the snap ring off without issue, but the pulley was a struggle. I thought I missed something, watched a video and I did not miss anything. Just needed some persuasion and Kroil. Some back and forth with a pry bar and got it off, but there was an odd looking "washer" that came off as well. I found out what that was when I went to put it back on. All was going well until I went to put the last snap ring back on and could not find the ridge to recess the snap ring. Turns out that part sheared off during the removal process. That was the "washer" looking part.
Looks like a new compressor is in order.
The clutch was clearly shot. It looked like what rotors and pads would look if someone wore the pads down to bare metal and kept driving. Really deep grooves and high ridges, which explains why I had troubles getting a decent feeler gauge measurement for the gap.
Really bummed I broke the AC spindle. Now it is going to be a lot of expensive work.
