Changing ac compressor belt

remove compressor drive belt I guess, removes main mechanical burden ...if you want to remove compressor itself, or even condensor, to save the weight of car carrying that now redundant component around, you can do that too..bear in mind before loosening off any hoses or steel gas lines of the system that it will contain a/c coolant gas still under some pressure. Compressor is the main weight and mechanical burden on engine, although when system is switched off the compressor pulley load drive effort is low, anyway.
if car has one "serpentine" belt driving everything, rather than a separate AC drive belt, then, it is possible that removing the compressor will necessitate fitting a new shorter engine belt compatible with no AC.Depends of car's belt arrangement.

Use a bit of string or rope to run around all the pulleys without the air con compressor and mark the rope. Measure the length. Most V and flat belts are marked with their size, which is their length in cm. Remember that the compressor pulley may put an angle or bend on the belt for it to run properly and be tensioned properly. If you bypass this, there may be nothing to tighten the belt, or the tensioner may not work as well. You will soon find out if the belt slips, it will squeal like mad.

Make sure that your drive belt and ac belts are tight. A loose belt will look like many problems. Also could be your ac compressor. They have ac compressor lubrication in a can just like the freon. You can notice the extra strain the ac puts on the engine when you turn it on and especially at idle. So 1. Make sure belts are tight and in good condition, if not replace. 2. Check freon level in ac. If freon level is okay add ac oil conditioner.

It is turned by (usually) the main serpentine belt. When the AC is not in use the clutch spins freely. When the AC "kicks" in what is really happening is the clutch in the compressor is locking up and the belt makes the pulley turn, compressing the freon.

if its a 07 Kia optima u have to take the side motor mount out it be 15mm and have2 jacks I had to Jack up the motor and the pully that cums just above the fire wall that's the pully will release the belt and then u no its like 4-5 bolts on the AC compressor

I had the same issue with my 2006. I thought the compressor clutch bearings were faulty. After further research, the rattling noise was actually coming from the serpentine belt tensioner. Easy repair!
Hope this helps.

sounds like you need to replace the belt or tighten it.

1. Discharge/Recover the refrigerant. 2. Remove the tension bolt. 3. Remove the V-belt and magnetic clutch wire harness connector.

4. Remove the suction hose and discharge hose from the compressor. 5. Remove the 4 mounting bolts on the compressor.
6. Remove the compressor downwards.

INSTALLATION IN REVERSE ORDER
1. Tighten the 4 compressor mounting bolts.
2. Connect the suction hose and discharge hose to the compressor. 3. Connect the V belt. 4. Adjust the V belt tension.5. Reconnect the magnetic clutch wire harness connector.

You must remove the fan belt first by wrenching the spring loaded tightener and the same must be done for the compressor belt.

This may be a stupid question, but has the tensioner for the belt been properly tightened?  Does it squeal when it vibrates?  The tensioner for the alternator belt is on top of the alternator and is a bolt you tighten or loosen.  The tensioner for the AC belt is underneath and can accessed with the right front splash guard removed and the car placed on ramps.