My AC clutch might've started making an awful racket last time I used the AC for a long drive. I noticed some stuff that was spun out of the clutch onto the inner fender and under the hood. It might very well be grease. Not sure. You can see it in the pics. I ran it today in the garage for a few mins with the AC on full blast. AC works fine and I didn't hear any noise. Anybody had an issue like this before?
Open compressors have a weak spot, the shaft seal, clutch is probably going too. A lot of car AC;s get over charged and they have an accumulator to accept this, with winter coming the seal will shrink and come spring, no charge. They tend to seal better in warmer weather, which is why so many people say "it worked last summer".