I'm new to the forum so just a little background on myself first.
I am not a mechanic but I do most of my own au to repairs. I hate having to pay for something I can do myself, plus I love the satisfaction of being able to do it the right way myself.
So the a/c quit working so I did a leak test and found leaks at the hi & lo service ports as well as a leak at the line block attached to the compressor. I'm assuming it's one or both of the o rings between the line block and the compressor.
It doesn't look like I can get to the line block w/o pulling the compressor so I jacked up the truck and tried to get to the compressor after evacuating the system and removing the belt. Im pretty sure there are 3 bolts that hold the compressor in place with brackets that hold wires in place on top of them. I was able to get the lower 2 bolts out but the 3rd upper bolt that's tight to the frame seems impossible to remove.
Am I going about this all wrong? Can someone please help me out?

 

I've had to replace the line on top of the compressor...twice. Both times there was a crack in the line at the joint.

 

It could be cracked for all I know. I can't figure out how to get to it

 

I put the dye in the system and could see it from the top passenger side. That's also how it comes out and in.

 

The compressor location according to your pictures looks similar to my 5.4.
I'll try pulling the fan to see if that helps. One difference I see is that on my Expedition the Rack and pinion is right underneath the compressor. I might have to lower the rack and pinion out of the way also.

 

Sorry about that I wasn't real clear. What I ment was I was able to remove the lines from the compressor while it was still in the truck. I assume yours is the same. I think it has one bolt on top that released the block from compressor.

 

Did you have to remove anything from above to get the block off without pulling the compressor? I can't fit my haND down in there?

 

Remove the liner from the inside of the passenger tire and go at it from the wheel well.

 

OK, thanks alloro and to everyone else for all the advice. I'm going to hit it hard Saturday morning and try to get it done. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Actually no. Pretty sure I used a long extension and a universal joint.

 

That's actually kinda funny! The first thing I tried was using about 24" of extensions and a universal. One of my extensions had a weak connection and it fell off but didn't fall all the way to the ground. Then I spent about 30 minutes trying to fish it out with a magnet and my flexible pickle fork tool.

 

Ain't that always the Way?😠

 

So today I attempted to get to the ac compressor line block which is bolted to the top of the actual compressor.
Someone said to go at it from the wheel well instead of from above. So I pulled the wheel off and removed the fender liner. No dice! The air bag bracket is welded to the frame and it's right in the way.
I love being able to repair my own vehicles but this is why I hate working on vehicles. The actual compressor is just in an impossible spot. Very frustrating!
I tried getting to it from above again by taping my socket extensions together so they don't accidentally come apart and get lost down in the engine bay. I was able to eventually get the bolt that holds the line block in place removed, but to slide it out I had to disassemble the hi & lo ac lines above. Got it out and it looks fine. O-rings look fine too. Not sure why it was leaking. I guess I'm going to put it back together, make sure everything is tight and then recharge it and see what happens.