AC pulley make a noise

My Air Conditioner pulley has started making a noise when on, like a rattling noise. This is the 4.0 6 cylinder motor. I took it in and got a new belt put on at 110,000 miles and they told me I would have to replace the entire AC compressor to fix it and it was going to run about $800, so I said no way, the noise isn't that bad. I find it odd that you can't replace the pulley on the AC unit, and have to replace the entire part. Has anyone else seen this problem with the AC pulley? It seems to be working just fine, just makes a little noise. I guess I will let it go until it blows.

 

Is it the pulley or the compressor making the noise? If it is the compressor, it will be way more expensive if you wait until it blows and sends metal shards throughout the system.

 

Toyota said it was the pulley, but I'm going to take it to an Auto AC repair place to have a 2nd opinion on this.

 

That would be an excellent choice in my opinion. Better safe than sorry.

 

Took it to a shop that specializes in AC, they said it would be $800 as well, includes changing compressor, evaporator and dryer, all parts. Said it didn't really sound bad yet and that waiting wouldn't cost anymore since they are replacing everything, so no big deal to just keep driving it, they said it wasn't bad yet, could barely hear it, so I'm going to see how long it will go, may last another 100k, but probably not. They said it isn't the pulley, since it only makes the noise when the compressor kicks in so it isn't the clutch.

 

The pully on the compressor is a clutch. I had to price one up and it was 396 bucks for the compressor, and I thought that wasn't bad. Until I realized it didn't come with a clutch which was another 560 bucks. I found an aftermarket one for 375 though.
Bearings are known to go in them though, I've heard about it a couple times.

I live in Canada, so our prices will vary.

And my clutch blew up, probably because I packed it full of mud..

The danger in waiting until it stops working is;
If the compressor grenades, then tiny pieces of metal will be scattered throughout your AC system, and could eventually make it back to the compressor (that's why the AC shop recommended all those pieces).