I have a 2001 DRV 3500 and would like to know if it is possible to replace the AC compressor bearings w/out detaching the refrigerant lines from the compressor. The bearings are "whining" and about to go. After replacing the AC clutch coil awhile back I know I can unbolt the compressor and get good access to it with lines still attached. Just wondering if it's possible at this point and not looking for DIY instructions. Thanks in advance.

The whining is only when the compressor is cooling and not the rest of the time. I guess that would be the internal bearings. If that's the case would you have a ruff idea of the shop cost for compressor replacement? I know other parts must also be replaced but plan to buy my own rebuilt compressor. Lastly I know Autozone lends stuff I need to do replacement myself- is the job like reasonable for an "average" doit yourselfer or do you advise a shop do it? And thanks for your response.

Why not a professional?- Because in S. Fl. your chances of finding an AC shop that knows what they're doing are slim and if you do find one that does know what they're doing your chances are very very high you'll get the one problem fixed at 2 to 3 times the price quoted and drive out with at least 1 problem you didn't have going in. At I shop you also risk having to tow back home a vehicle that will never run again. That's from my own experience and everyone else with a car I know. For my last repair (cat. converter) I drove 300 miles N. to a small town (Altoona) to not get ripped off and get a running van back. You asked.
As for your "advise ignored" claim you are wrong. I took yours and a lot of other advise into consideration and got through last summer and a 6,000 mi. road trip with an AC that worked fine fixed for $12.
Lastly if you do "know what your talking about" then why aren't you aware this does have the possibility of being a DYI job- certainly many others have done it with tools you can now barrow from auto stores?
Im sorry you had to do 25 as an HVAC-R tech but I'm after less whining not more- I'm already married.

My AC works also and I too can repair it. All it takes is the tools which I can get on loan and a good DYI guide which I have found. As I told you I can find decent repair shops just not local. You certainly have a chip on your shoulder or at least a strange way to try and make yourself seem superior in your own mind. I'll fix my van's problem but can you fix your's? Yes I probably will be back but in the mean time bite me dude.

thanks. That is exactly the kind of tip that can make the difference between a successful DIY job and a bad one.

I'm sure many people who post questions on this sight also research elsewhere. Your advice may not be followed but heeded and appreciated by the questioner who for any number of reasons that you could not be aware of makes their own choice to proceed other than the manner you suggest. With your input I still charged my AC myself from the low side weighing the risks which you and others made me aware of against the possible damage and costs I have become used to when I take my van to a shop here and in my case just before a long planned road trip. My trip went fine with AC working. My gamble paid off at that point as far as I'm concerned. You could not know at this point many more thousands of miles later
that my charge then caused my current problem and if it did I was forewarned and knowing in the decision I made.
For you to post now in essence chiding me for my decision is uninformed and immature. So you might want to keep that mean spirited "I told you so" holstered- or not if that's your thing. Nobody has to follow anybody's advice on this site and the responders I have come to know before you would simply still give advice on the current problem without researching- "wait, isn't this that guy I told a year ago to...". Who does that? Really man ask yourself that question.

Will do and thanks for the leeway we were given to get our side issue expressed.

Thanks very much Widebody and HeyYou. Along with previous info I now have a good idea what needs to be replaced and the importance of flushing. A come to you mechanic is something I hadn't thought of and really helpful advice. I can keep an eye on the work and verify such things as the flush. Also I'll feel much better with that type of mechanic over a large shop. I thought I was looking at thousands but for hundreds there is no way I want to do this myself. I may sound paranoid about bad or dishonest mechanics but know in some urban areas the person needing repairs is basically considered a mark and do my best to not be one.
Thanks

So they want to put in a new alternator knowing it won't fix the belt driven compressor (except for clutch which battery power alone could activate). And then what a new PCM?
So much money is stolen, damage done, time lost and personal harm done by so many mechanics seems there has to be a business opportunity for some kind of repair advocacy. If I were rich a packing brute with an alligator would accompany my ride throughout the repair with a live remote video feed to an over qualified techie assisted with "spot the con" auto repair software.