HJ61 - Can I remove AC belt & run without harm?

[CHILLCAT]

I am trying to chase down a new noise under the hood. Its a sort of "swish" sound that may be either bearing or clutch related on the AC compressor. It cropped up at the end of a long road trip recently. As far as I can tell its coming from the AC compressor pully area.

Can I remove the AC Belt and run the truck without doing any harm to the system? I want to see if removing the belt eliminates the sound. If so I'm hoping I can drive it without the belt until I figure out what is failing within the AC, and if I can repair it or if I need a new compressor. I rarely if ever use my AC so that is not a concern at the moment.

Thanks for the help!

 

[bigredmachine]

as long as theres isnt anything else being driven by that belt then your good, your obviously not going to have ac

 

[duncanrm]

100% no issue at all.. The power steering and waterpump are driven by different belts (unless you've got some dodgy aftermarket stuff going on).