A/C Compressor R&R Difficulty?
 

I'm going to try to remove the R4 compressor from my 300cd, "flush" new mineral oil through it, fill it with mineral oil and reinstall (along with a complete flush, new drier and exp. valve) so I can go back to r12 from r-134a. The factory manual doesn't have many helpful pictures and is a bit skimpy on the details. I have a standard and metric wrench set going from 7/8'' to 24mm wrenches. Do I need any special tools, or is a basic socket and wrench set all I need? I also have a 1/2 torque wrench as well. What are the tricky parts of removing and reinstalling the compressor, like the spacers, and belt tension? I have searched all topics relating to "r4" "compressor" etc, and there isn't a definitive pictorial. Diesel giant's A/C page mentions compressor installation taking "hours" due to spacers. Is the compressor r&r job simple enough for a novice with all the necessary tools and equipment to do?

It's a PITA, but doable. Yeah watch out for the spacers and remember to check the bolt tghtness often. I lost the bolts and spacers from my car. New bolts and spacers epoxied together to make new spacers has so far held up.

You have to work under the car to remove the compressor, and from above to loosen the bolts.