Well this is my first post as a new member and thought maybe I could receive some insight as to what you guys would do. I noticed my AC fan clutch bearing was starting to act up and make some weird kind of tinging noise so to save myself some time I decided it would be a smart idea if I could remove the AC fan clutch and pulley with the compressor still in the car. In the midst of removing the pita snap ring a piece of my AC compressor shaft chipped off in the process. Would it be wise to replace the entire unit or you think I could get by and just leave as is? Thanks so much!

 

If it will still run in balance you should be ok.

It might vibrate so bad it will shake the compressor to pieces.

How does one break something like that taking off a snap ring??

 

Hahaha the snap ring broke the shaft not me. I literally had a small flathead under the ring and when it popped off it took a piece of the shaft with it. After a little research I found that the entire compressor is only about $40 more than the clutch assembly so I am just going to pull the power steering and put in a new one.