Auto Air Conditioning & Heater Repair: A/C Clutch Replacement, clutch replacement, chevy blazer

Question
I have a 2000 Chevy Blazer that needs a new A/C clutch. Is it necessary to remove the entire compressor/clutch assembly to replace just the clutch? The Haynes repair book only shows how to replace the entire assembly but the garage I took it to said I'd only have to deal with the clutch. Also, do you know of any good manuals or online resources that would help me with step-by-step instructions? Thanx!

Answer
Mary,
Typically, yes the compressor will have to come out just to replace the clutch. It is not necessarily a have-to, but becasue of clearance issues with the fan shroud and all of the other accesories in the front of your engine it saves alot of foul language from being muttered. If you get my meaning. And a saves even more time. I ran the time it would take for a compressor replacement and just a compressor clutch replacement through my labor charging index, and they came up with the same amount of time for each. But if you are doing it yourself, in a typical garage setting... it will save alot to remove the compressor
And truth be told, 9 times out of 10 by the time that you calculate in the time spent, the parts, and the cost of the clutch removal tool, you would spend the same amount if not less replacing the entire assembly. And several manufacturers have begun making compressors that you are unable to replace the clutch on.
I am a subscriber to mitchell1, in my opinion one of if not the best service/repair/diagnostic online manual services out there and they also do not break down the removal of the compressor clutch on a 2000 blazer. It gives me the exploded diagram of many different compressors and clutches that chevy uses, but no step-by-step that I am able to cut and paste for you.
I am sorry that I was not of more help, I will continue to look though, and if I come up with anything I will do a follow up on this answer. If you are still interested, but as I said, I believe you would be much better off replacing the compressor as a whole.
Thank you for the question, if I can do anything more, do not hesitate to ask.