I've been searching for a while and even looked through the removal section in the electrical workshop book, it sounds very easy, but I'm still stumped.
Couldn't find much help on google either. I have my drier and condensor out, my a/c lines are removed, except for the ones that go directly to the compressor. Do I need to remove the power steering pump to remove the compressor? Or am I just blind and unable to see how to work around it. (Then again I only work on my car around 10pm-1am-with a latern...lol.)
I have the intake, intercooler, etc etc. out already.
Can anyone chime in?
1994 PEP.
Thanks,
Ed.

 

You can get the lines off and get it out with some fiddling--its not that difficult. IIRC, I used a 12mm flex head ratchet type box wrench.

 

Hell, I'd just remove the PS pump too. That takes all of 5 minutes.

But, I do seem to recall that I've pulled AC compressors without removing the PS pump. Just have to undo the 4 12mm bolts on the side that hold it on and the one electrical connection.

Dale

 

I must not be looking good enough then. If I continue to have a hard time I suppose I could just remove the PS pump too, I'd like to keep that.
I shall try again.

 

Can unbolt ps pump move it out of the way to get a better look at it, like dale mentioned

 

It can be done with a bit of patience with the P/S pump in place. This assumes there's no battery and intercooler and whatnot in the way.

First remove the suction line that attaches to the side of the compressor, unplug the electrical connector. The compressor pigtail on my car was zip-tied to the harness by the factory.

Next, with a long extension and a socket, unbolt the discharge hose from the rear of the compressor. There's a handy-dandy notch in the P/S reservoir that enables you to simply reach down from the top do this with a straight extension of the correct length.

Next, loosen all 4 bolts that hold the compressor in. This is a pain in the ***, but it is do-able. Has to be done from above.

After all the bolts are unscrewed, simply pull the compressor and bolts toward the front of the car and out.

 

I found a wrench at Autozone of all places that makes removing the four mounting bolts on the side a lot easier. It is a Metric four way ratcheting wrench and both wrenches are under $30 I think:



Something else I figured out on accident - I believe Mazda left the notch in the power steering tank on purpose in order to reach the suction line on the compressor easily. Look straight down through the notch and see what I mean!

Once you have the side bolts and suction removed, the compressor fits out towards the front of the car without pulling the power steering pump.

 

That's the discharge line you're talking about....

The suction line is on the front side of the compressor.

 

Both of those lines kind of suck to access. :/ Point is, the one on the side is bendy enough to come out the front side still attached where you can put a wrench on it with some clearance to work.