My AC compressor died?
 

I love the AC in my 84 300D. When it owrks, which it has for years. There was a period where the belts were worn out and they broke, and I had them replaced. Shortly after, whenever I turned on the AC, the compressor would make a rattling and sort of shrieking noise for a second. I assumed the bearings were going out in the pulley. Well, I think they may have gone out totally by now. Nothing happens and no AC goes on, no noises either.

I see new compressors are around $370. I wouldn't install it myself and I assume the whole system will need to be addressed-sort of like bleeding brakes. Anyway, anyone have experience with this and is there another way around it? If the compressor is a GM unit, can I buy from a GM part supplier and save any money?

Thanks.

I paid $225 for a new one, but that was in 2007.

Could it just be a bad clutch?