Chrysler Repair: Air conditioner compressor or cluth is bad?, plymouth voyager, air conditioner compressor

Question
I have a 1997 Plymouth Voyager with the 3.0 L engine.  On a recent road trip, we heard a high pitched squealing/whining coming from the engine when we had the air conditioning turned on.  Soon, the air coming in was considerable warmer.  We turned off the air and the noise stopped for a while.  A few days later, the squealing/whining came back, regardless whether the air was on or off.  I unhooked the belt on the compressor, and the noise stopped and hasn't come back.

I originally thought that we had a bad bearing in the compressor.  Then a friend mentioned that it could be the clutch.  So, how can I diagnose the two parts?  Will I have to pull the compressor either way?  or can the clutch be replaced without pulling the compressor?

I do not think refrigerant is a problem, because we have recently had the system charged.

All info and advice is greatly appreciated, as I will likely be doing this all myself.  (Money is super tight, but my babies need a/c in our 100 degree summers in KC.)

Thanks again,

Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,
When I hear squeeling, I think of a glazed/loose drive belt first. Then if trying a new and properly tightened belt doesn't solve it, if the belt you took off appears glazed, then you could try to resolve differentially where the excess friction/slippage is occuring. My inclination would be to go back the place that charged your system, if the belt is not the answer, and have them look and listen and say what they believe is wrong, and give you a cost estimate. I would hope that they could do that just by looking/listening and not charge you for their opinion.  Then get back to me and I can copy the pages out of the '98 shop manual that I have so you can do it yourself.
Roland