If your compressor is growling while the AC is running, it is the compressor bearings itself (not serviceable). It can also mean that the orifice tube being plugged is the cause or a contributor. If the o-tube is plugged, the high pressure side of the compressor sees massive restriction which can cause the compressor to growl while running.

In the case of our 92 with 236K miles, the orifice tube was plugged with pieces of the bearings from the compressor. The result was a new compressor, new orifice tube (cheap), and a complete system flush to get rid of all the shavings that the compressor put out. After that, a new receiver dryer, a vac. down and recharge resolved the problem. NOTE: 92 cars used R12, so I did do a conversion to R134a (you don't have to do this).

Hope the above bad news helps, but it sounds like you will have to "open" the system to correct it... even if you are lucky and its only the orifice tube.(very doubtful)

jorrell

--
92 245 245K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently close to running again!

A bad clutch bearing will make more noise with the A/C OFF; if the compressor bearing is bad, get a new compressor.

Compressor service is best done with your splash pan off, from underneath the car (in my opinion). I find that lying on my back on a creeper to change and service compressors really isn't that disagreeable. From above---yuk! I have changed clutch bearings, but have since given up on that. I often swap in a good, used compressor. If the idea is longetivity, acparts.com has compressors for $200. Better yet, buy one on E-bay. I've gotten rebuilts for $100.

Good luck to you.

DS