NB miata A/C clutch

Yesterday with the A/C running, I did a tight turn in a parking lot to get into a parking spot. In doing so I bottomed out the steering for a moment and heard a chirp from the belt. Immediately after the chirp, I shut the car off since I was now in a parking spot. This may or may not be related to the eventual problem.

Upon returning to the car and restarting (with the A/C on) there was an incredible squeal that only stopped when I shut the A/C off. After shutting the A/C off, the squealing was replaced with a low grinding noise. I was less than a minute from home so I drove thru it and went home.

Upon getting there, I took out my trusty wooden broom handle and listened in thru it. The broom handle stethoscope indicated the sound was from the A/C compressor's vicinity . 

I wanted to see if the sound got worse when I turned the A/C on. The sound did not get worse, it was just a slightly different sound. A/C still blew cold, and still blows cold today after driving to work.

I have looked up these symptoms from numerous sources, most sources indicate the A/C clutch has gone bad, some indicate the compressor. What say the hive mind?

If it is the clutch , does anyone know if it can be changed without removing the entire compressor? I have found conflicting information on that as well.

If it's the compressor, it would stop making noise with the A/C off.  If it's louder / worse with the A/C off than on, it's most likely the clutch.  

Do yourself a favor and buy a $4  stethoscope from Harbor Freight. It will make life so much easier.

From what it sounds your A/C clutch is probably shot.

I was hoping to hear clutch, and I heard clutch.

Still wondering if it is possible to remove the clutch without removing the compressor? 

 I would like to know before starting, but I am waiting on a replacement bearing; since the clutch itself seems to be unobtanium.

 

Usually the clutch can be pulled off the compressor, but it's often a serious PITA to do.  Depending on the cost of a replacement compressor with a clutch already on it, it might be more practical to just replace the whole thing.