The wife's 2011 Subaru Forester started making racket today while she was leaving work. She pulled into a garage where she takes the car for the yearly inspection. They (who are somewhat honest) told her it was the AC compressor clutch. The garage said they don't work on them and sent her to another shop. This other shop said it needs a compressor and they give her an estimate in the morning. I have yet to look at this car but from what she tells me there were metal shavings around (the wheel) as she calls it. Sounds to me like it needs a $50 clutch and not a $500 compressor. I'm pretty sure this place is going to try and rip me off. So my question is, can they take the clutch off of the pully and make it free spin so she can drive this thing until I can buy the clutch assembly and fix it myself or are they not set up that way?

For GM vehicles there is a tool that good mechanics have that allows them to move the clutch out away from making contact instead of replacing. Perhaps there is something similar for the Subaru.

Wife's car ya say, does she really need A/C? LOL

Here is one you may need when replacing yours. Hope it works but sounds to me like the compressor may have locked up.Subaru A/C clutch adjustment.

If you do not care if your wife's car has A/C, pull the clutch hub and put a thicker shim under it and reinstall.