I am in the middle of replacing the lower radiator support beam. I just took out the radiator, and the a/c condensor is all that remains.

Is there any way to take it out without having to take apart the entire a/c system. The line on the right (drivers side) is a metal lines that aren't meant to be bent. The line on the left (pass side) is metal, but is then a rubber hose.

I tried looking through the FSM, but I didn't see anything related to taking it out.

 

I don't know what you are trying to do, but when I was doing my alternator two weeks ago...I just unscrewed the bolts holding the compressor in. I let it dangle and it moved from side to side nicely giving me enough space to yank the alternator out.

If you remove it, you will have to recharge your system.

So basically, what I did for the alt:

- Loosen belts - 12 or 14mm socket?
- Remove belt pulley that is below the adjuster (little one) - 12mm socket I believe
- Remove four bolts holding the compressor in (2 on top and two on bottom - from the front of the car) - I believe these were 14mm.

This should give you the ability to move the compressor around a bit. Maybe what you need.

 

The a/c condensor not compressor ... The piece that sits behind the radiator in the support.

 

+1


sometimes those lines are brittle and flexing them too much can make em break. But try unbolting it and wiggling

 

Its gotta come out entirely. There really is no way of getting that out of the way without crimping one of the a/c lines going to it.

When I did mine, came all out, cap the ends of the lines and the holes on the condensor.

-matt

 

I've done several rad supports and never had to pull the condensor (Except that one time when i poked a hole in one....). You can carefully get it passed without breaking the tabs but even if you do it's no big deal. If you still want to take it out or already started, make sure to have it evac'd and charged by someone with a vacuum pump, evacuating the system is KEY, replacing the dryer isn't a bad idea either, basically if you follow the FSM to a tee you will save your wallet from a compressor failure, which sometimes turns into a nightmare of metal particles in the system, all the more reason why I prefer to avoid cracking the system open in the first place.

 

I'm just going to leave it in. I think I'll be able to work around it. I got the drivers side part out after I drilled out all the spot welds. Then I used a reciprocating saw and got it off ... I have to do the passenger side now and then somehow get the bolts out of where the radiator support meets the crossmember ...

 

Oops.

My bad. I thought he meant compressor for some reason. lol.

 

I know, the only reason I inquired is because drilling out the spot welds that face the middle of the car are somewhat difficult to get at with the condenser there. I would have liked to remove it, but I've been working around it.