Compressor Removal Question

[Philoprof]

Can anyone tell me if removing the power steering pump on an 82 380sl makes it's possible to unbolt and lift the compressor up and out of the car without having to remove the radiator?

Alternatively, does removing the pump at least makes it easier to unbolt and remove the compressor with or without its bracket from the front after the radiator is removed?

Thanks very much in advance for the info.

[engatwork]

IIRC you can unbolt the compressor and drop it out the bottom without having to take out the radiator or pwr strg pump.

[BDBENZ]

Bill,

I have a 560SL with the nippondenso compressor. When I dropped mine out the bottom, for a rebuild, the power steering pump had to be unbolted and dropped back, and one of the compressor boldts on the bracket was so long that I did need to remove the radiator.. Went smooth after that. Just my experience.

Bill

[Philoprof]

Originally Posted by BDBENZ

Bill,

I have a 560SL with the nippondenso compressor. When I dropped mine out the bottom, for a rebuild, the power steering pump had to be unbolted and dropped back, and one of the compressor boldts on the bracket was so long that I did need to remove the radiator.. Went smooth after that. Just my experience.

Bill

Ahhh! Thanks for the valuable info. I'm still not sure about one thing though. Why does the manual say that you have "to unscrew the pressure and suction hose from the pipe line before you "remove the pipeline from the refrigerant compressor." Can't you just do the latter, and then remove the compressor and carrier from the car?

Also, how difficult was it to rebuild that compressor, and how long did it take you? Mine has a York A6, and I was rethinking of rebuilding it.