Questions related to 240D Engine Belts, Water Pump, and AC compressor

[GeneralStark]

So, I'm working on replacing engine belts and the water pump on my 83 240D and I have a few questions.

1. I have the belt off the water pump, crankshaft pulley and alternator, and the belt off the power steering pump and crankshaft pulley. The car is in a place where it can't be jacked up, so I am finding it difficult to determine how to release tension on the AC compressor and remove that final belt. I never use the AC (don't even know if it works) and never will, so I am considering just removing the belt and not putting one back on, and then removing the AC compressor completely at a later date when I can jack the car up. Any problems with this besides no AC?

2. I suspect that it is going to be difficult to get the new steering pump belt back on so I am wondering what direction the crankshaft pulley turns (when looking at the front of the engine) when the engine is running so I can potentially jump the belt onto the pulley when I crank the engine with the starter.

3. I have the fan off the water pump (removed four bolts) but I can't figure out how to get the clutch/coupler that the fan attaches to off. I see no other bolts, so I am assuming it is just friction holding it on, but I don't want to just start whacking things with a rubber mallet until I know for sure. Is there some trick to getting this off the pump that I am missing? My Chilton manual is very vague in regards to this process.

Any advice is appreciated.