My daughters 2004 Sebring convertible 2.7L was having steering noise and lock at stand-still, at idle on cold start. AC was working great. I decided to start by replacing both belts. The serpentine belt was in very good shape. The PS belt was shot. Got it back together and now steering is fine and there is a shrill screeching noise that seems to be coming from the AC compressor area mostly at low RPM. I lay there and watch as she turns on the AC and the clutch engages and the noise starts. When she shuts off the AC, the clutch stops soon thereafter and so does the noise.


I retightened the belt, but no improvement.


AC still works fine, but the noise, my God the noise!


Is this a bad compressor or bad clutch, or could the belt still be loose? Logic would say its the belt since this was fine until I messed with the belts. How tight is tight on this belt? I can move it up and down at most 1/8".


Is it possible to replace only the AC clutch or do I have to buy the whole unit?


Thanks for any help

 

mmmm Im still gonna go with belt noise for 2 things one was not there until you changed the belt

2 the clutch will not just go bad from replacing a belt