My AC quit yesterday on my 00. The compressor pulley has three metal arms that have come loose on the front of the pully and are striking the skid plate as it spins. I don't know if something fell off the front of the pulley or if it just gave out. Has anyone had anything like this happen at all? I just don't want to go to the dealer and get screwed into buying a whole new compressor if I don't need it. I know the problem sounds strange, but that is exactly what is wrong. Three metal arms now floping around since they now extend past the pulley and hit the skid plate. The arms are attached to the pulley in a triangle formation. Thanks!

 

i think this is a somewhat common problem w/ the AC cutch, i had the same thing happen, the rivets that hold those arms on wear out and get sheared off by the arms. Nissan wants an arm/leg and your first born for the part. so you can go that route, get one from a junkyard, get an entire compressor from ebay or take the clutch off and rig it.
here are some pics of mine when i had to fix it back in may, essentialy you need to bolt together the 3 pieces the clutch is made of.

red- replace rivets w/ nut/bolt
yellow- new holes
green- you need to slip a #8 flat cut washer here (between clutch & triangle piece)

use threadlock on the bolts and grease up the clutch face before you put it back on.

 

My suggestion is to change the compressor. But since the summer is over you might just wait if you are on a tight budget