Figuring out why people in 2007 got such good deals on these trucks!! Never mind the price of fuel at the time.....these Expo's must have been a transition year...NO ONE has videos on The Tube, and even NAPA and Bennett sell you the wrong parts.....Replaced AC compressor and was told I needed an accumulator/dryer.....made sense, except I could not find that part on my truck...or even the low pressure switch....instead, it turns out the expansion valve is where the accum/dryer should be, and I have a desiccant element on side of the condenser....OK...so I have this figured out. Thought the compressor would be the tough part...WRONG. Got started on getting the snap-ring out the dryer element tube. What's up with that type of snap ring?? Seems like it's consumable. Broke the ring, but at least thought the cap holding the element in would come out....WRONG. I have beat it to death with pliers of all manner trying to get a grip to pop/pull it out...The question is...Does ANYONE know how to do this??? Is there a NONDEALER solution?? It's pretty frustrating in this day and age to have an 11 year old vehicle and there not be ALL kinds of how-to's on The Tube. This is putting a cramp in my Mojo, people!! Sorry to vent. Thanks in advance.

UPDATE:

Put a self tapper through the threads and pulled the plug out. A new one, and a new snap-ring (without the inner security tabs) will be here Friday. NOW...The desiccant element is a hard, plastic tube...not a flexible bag, so I will need to remove the condenser somewhat anyway, for clearance to get the element out, and replace it. Seems that I answered my own questions, but thanks to anyone who may have had suggestions.

New Parts arrived....Had to loosen radiator mount, and remove support rail to get clearance to install....Desiccant element plug (just what I call it) went in harder than expected....O-rings toast (yes, I lubed them)....replaced with O-rings from original plug, and plug pushed in with ease (BTW. , the threads are M5 x .8, so pull the plug with that bolt) but the condenser was damaged (smashed in at the top, due to pushing so hard at the bottom). Ended up removing front bumper cover and replacing condenser.

LESSON:

When you have an 11 year old truck, with 100k+ miles on it...that has been pretty good to you, and you plan to keep it.....don't try to save TOO much money and time. If you have the ability to do the repairs yourself (as I do), but lack the experience to know what is actually necessary in parts and time (as I am, sometimes)...save the money over going to a mechanic, but don't "outsmart" yourself...JUST DO IT RIGHT. Turns out, there is a reason NAPA and Bennett only sell the Condenser assembly....Only cost me about $30 to learn the lesson....THIS time. LOLOLOLOL



Broken snap ring


Pressurized cap on left bottom of condenser

 

Dude, I have searched high and low for the answer to this question. Thank you so much for sharing.

I have a 2007 Lincoln Mkz, but it has the same set up. The problem now is that I am trying to push the element cap up so that I can release the snap ring.

I guess if push comes to shove, I know for sure your method will work. Breaking off the snap ring and then inserting a screw or bolt to pull down. Thanks!

I will probably just leave it and mess with it down the road if need be. Not trying to complicate things more than I have already. Lol 😀🤙