Auto Air Conditioning & Heater Repair: A/C compressor, clutch assembly, rubber gasket

Question
Howdy:
I've got a 1993 Mustang, with the 4 cylinder engine (2.4 litre, I think).  Yesterday, the air conditioner stopped blowing cold air, and I smelled that "rubber burning" smell through the cars "air" system.  I turned off the AC.
When I got home, I checked the engine.  The pulley was still turning around with the belt, but it looks like there was a rubber gasket (clutch of some type?) that is between the pulley and the round part attached to the compressor.  It's just about melted, and is sticking out around the edges.  I'm assuming this is the part that...when you had the A/C on inside the car, was some sort of "clutch" that transferred power to the compressor.
My question:
Is this little "clutch" part replaceable, or does this mean that the A/C compressor needs to be replaced?
Any suggestions/advice greatly appreciated.


Answer
Without physically seeing your problem I first need to know if your A/C is working properly ?.

Have you had ANY A/C work done of anykind what-so-ever in the recent past and or has the A/C system been DISCHARGED of freon so as to fix an A/C leak.

First you need to determine if your A/C is working and cooling properly and has had NO repairs and or had to be discharged of freon so as to replace a component on the engine that required opening the A/C system.

If NO previous work and or opening of the A/C system and without actually being physically able to see your problem, I would opt to replace the A/C compressor and the A/C clutch assembly as a UNIT.

Replacing the compressor requires a good working knowledge of the proper procedure and the right equipment to do so.


autohelp  in NM.