100 series broken ac compressor bolts

[Angus17]

Hey everyone, looking for some help getting my cruiser back on the road. It’s a 2000 with 270,000 miles
Yesterday the serpentine belt came off while driving close to home. I noticed that the ac compressor was loose and caused the belt to come off. It looks like there are 3 bolts holding it on and all 3 were missing. I found 2 of the bolts below the compressor resting on the front axle and skid plate. One of the bolts is smaller than the other and seems to be intact. The other is broken.

I assume the bolt broke off in the fan bracket and will need to be removed before replacing bolts to secure the compressor. Would it be easier to remove the compressor to gain access to the broken bolts or remove the fan bracket? Or should I try to put 2 bolts back in and hope the compressor stays tight?
Thanks for any help.

 

[Ajmir Mohmmand]

Can you post some pictures?

 

[Angus17]

There is a hole for the mounting bolts on the top left of the compressor and under it that both attach to the fan bracket. Hard to get good pictures with the timing cover in the way. I also attached the broken bolt I found. The two bolts I found were different lengths. The shorter one fit in the rear mount. Of course I am just guessing that the broken bolt I found is from one of the missing 3 bolts. But it could be from something else.

 

[AARONTLC]

When is your timing belt due? If it were me, I would remove the fan bracket and either remove the broken bolt or replace depending on age and also take into consideration when timing belt is due again. You can also just tighten up the 2 bolts (36ft lbs) and see how it feels. If it gives you the "warm fuzzy feeling", Run it!

 

[Angus17]

Timing belt was replaced 25,000 miles ago so I don’t plan on changing it for a while. How involved is removing the fan bracket? I watched one video and it seems to take a while but didn’t look too tough. That’s probably what I’ll do. But I ordered some new bolts and if one goes in ok I might just run it and check them occasionally.

 

[3_puppies]

the fan bracket can be removed without draining the coolant, I did 1 last summer for a guy traveling thru.
remove the rubber flap in the driver wheel well to access the rear bolt easier with tire removed

 

[Angus17]

I’ll try that. Thanks for the tip. Do you recommend replacing the fan bracket? Or just removing the broken bolts. I would guess it’s original

 

[3_puppies]

I would replace if original with that mileage

 

[Angus17]

Thanks for all of the help and tips. I decided to put a new fan bracket on since mine likely was original. One of the coMore salt bolts was broken in the old bracket, the front top bolt.
I got a new bracket on and put some new bolts in and it’s running back to normal.
Now I feel more confident about changing the timing belt when it needs to be done.

I really appreciate the help!

Also this post from 2019 helped tremendously. DIY Fan Bracket Pulley Replacement - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/diy-fan-bracket-pulley-replacement.1131326/