Gentlemen, I have a defective A-C clutch on my 1996 F-150 XL. Would it make more sense to replace the entire compressor vs replacing the clutch and save a few bucks. Also, how much labor would I be saving?
Thanks,
Melr.

 

Clutch first.

The clutch coils to fry commonly enough. My old 94 Ranger did this, too.

One hour labor and shimming the clutch coil versus several hundred in parts and several hundred more in labor for a compressor job...that's if the compressor is toast, but if not, don't bother it.

You judge.

Costs me $90 plus that hour for my Ranger (one mechanic friend's suggestion) versus upwards of a thousand buck from another friend who had a mechanic (a lousy one, obviously) who gave me the shpiel about pulling the compressor, et al...