Finally got around to getting this job done. Took my time on it since it's blistering hot down here in AZ. Currently on track to beat a record of 18 consecutive days above 110. I would usually go out to work in the garage in the mornings and call it quits when the garage temps reached over 100. Here's a couple of notes from the job.
Wasted about an hour trying to figure out how to pull the Lexus grill off. There's 1 center screw, 2 side plastic push clips and a bit of rubber trim that needs to pop out on the top sides. After that, yank HARD.
After that, I was able to get the condenser out in about 2 hours. You have to remove the front support brace that's attached to the bumper. Remove the condenser fan and all of the bolts around the center core support. There's a a wiring loom that goes through it so I wasn't able to squeeze the condenser up and out without removing the top radiator bolts and pushing the radiator back. Even then, I had to remove the 2 top brackets on the condenser to get it to squeeze out.
With the compressor, there is ample access to all the bolts holding it to the engine and the 2 bolts for the AC hard lines after the driver side tire is removed. I also removed the battery during this job so I could put a trickle charger on it, so when I removed the compressor I grabbed it through the top with no issues. I put the new compressor in through the driver side cavity. So either way works with enough room. Removal took about 2 hours. Most of that time was trying to get at it from the top side until I realized the driver side wheel would expose more room to work.
Everything went back in, in less than an hour. After reassembly, I immediately pulled a vacuum. I left it for about 30 minutes to verify vacuum was holding and then ran the vacuum for another 45 minutes to get rid of all the moisture. I had 1 left over can of refrigerant that probably had about 1-3 ounces left that went into the system as well as 3 x 12 oz cans. Pressures look good and glad to report back that she's blowing super cold again. It's only been since yesterday that I finished, but I don't have that jetson's/chitty chitty bang bang sound anymore either. Must have been the old compressor making weird noises. Thanks to everyone for the help.
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