A month or so back, I managed to replace the AC clutch on my 2004 Duratec from the bottom without lowering the subframe.
I was planning to attack it from above but my offset wrench was the wrong size / shape to get onto the clutch bolt. I do understand that with the right offset wrench you can do this from above, but I found it was quite simple doing this from the bottom, and one advantage was it was easy to get a hand onto the clutch to hold it still, remove it to try different washers and measure the air gap.
You will need 2 things
1) A wobble socket set. I used this: https://www.harborfreight.com/9-pc-wobble-socket-extension-set-67971.html
2) An assistant although it may be possible without one
Steps
1) Remove the front passenger wheel and front inner fender shield
2) Locate the hole in the wheel well through which you will get a socket onto the ac clutch bolt. Watch this video to see the locations of the inside and outside holes.
https://youtu.be/DJJLQ_e_RJU?t=42
Note that there is an outer and inner panel and a hollow space between. The single hole that you see on the outside panel is directly opposite another hole on the inside panel. However, the inner hole that you want to go through which is directly in front of the ac clutch bolt is slightly offset to the outer panel hole.
Note there is no need to make another hole as in the video, the wobble sockets will let you maneuver the socket through the offset outside and inside holes.
3) Put your socket on the shortest 1/4 wobble extension and then put that extension on the next shortest 1/4 wobble extension.
4) Poke the socket through the outer hole up and to the left to get it into the inner hole. You can put your hand up between the inner hole and the ac clutch to feel the location differences between the two inner holes. An assistant looking down should be able to tell you what adjustments to make to get the socket through the correct inner hole.
5) Once through the inner hole, your assistant can help you locate the socket onto the bolt. You may be able to do this through trial and error or even by using your other hand.
6) You should then be able to hold the clutch with your left hand while undoing the bolt with a ratcheting wrench in your right hand.
Other Thoughts
1) I used a Motorcraft replacement AC clutch and found that the original washer created the right air gap.
2) I did not change the ac pulley. From the bottom however, you are far closer to the pulley and it seems it would be easier to get snap ring pliers onto the snap ring. It is also possible that an inspection camera could be routed between the outer and inner holes to let you see what you are doing.
3) Another member used this offset wrench to get to the bolt through the top, albeit with moving some things out of the way. It may be possible to use this wrench from the bottom and not have to go through the holes.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-metric-offset-box-wrench-set-32042.html?hftref=cj
I was planning to attack it from above but my offset wrench was the wrong size / shape to get onto the clutch bolt. I do understand that with the right offset wrench you can do this from above, but I found it was quite simple doing this from the bottom, and one advantage was it was easy to get a hand onto the clutch to hold it still, remove it to try different washers and measure the air gap.
You will need 2 things
1) A wobble socket set. I used this: https://www.harborfreight.com/9-pc-wobble-socket-extension-set-67971.html
2) An assistant although it may be possible without one
Steps
1) Remove the front passenger wheel and front inner fender shield
2) Locate the hole in the wheel well through which you will get a socket onto the ac clutch bolt. Watch this video to see the locations of the inside and outside holes.
https://youtu.be/DJJLQ_e_RJU?t=42
Note that there is an outer and inner panel and a hollow space between. The single hole that you see on the outside panel is directly opposite another hole on the inside panel. However, the inner hole that you want to go through which is directly in front of the ac clutch bolt is slightly offset to the outer panel hole.
Note there is no need to make another hole as in the video, the wobble sockets will let you maneuver the socket through the offset outside and inside holes.
3) Put your socket on the shortest 1/4 wobble extension and then put that extension on the next shortest 1/4 wobble extension.
4) Poke the socket through the outer hole up and to the left to get it into the inner hole. You can put your hand up between the inner hole and the ac clutch to feel the location differences between the two inner holes. An assistant looking down should be able to tell you what adjustments to make to get the socket through the correct inner hole.
5) Once through the inner hole, your assistant can help you locate the socket onto the bolt. You may be able to do this through trial and error or even by using your other hand.
6) You should then be able to hold the clutch with your left hand while undoing the bolt with a ratcheting wrench in your right hand.
Other Thoughts
1) I used a Motorcraft replacement AC clutch and found that the original washer created the right air gap.
2) I did not change the ac pulley. From the bottom however, you are far closer to the pulley and it seems it would be easier to get snap ring pliers onto the snap ring. It is also possible that an inspection camera could be routed between the outer and inner holes to let you see what you are doing.
3) Another member used this offset wrench to get to the bolt through the top, albeit with moving some things out of the way. It may be possible to use this wrench from the bottom and not have to go through the holes.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-metric-offset-box-wrench-set-32042.html?hftref=cj