The pump makes noise like crazy (bearing going, I would guess, or no lube) and doesn't work anyway, so would I mess anything up by removing the AC belt? Everything it goes to has other belts too, but I thought I would make sure.

 

won't hurt a thing if the ac compressor is the only thing the belt runs. i'd cut the belt, save some effort in trying to loosen bolts and moving whatever is in the way.

 

my idea exactly. It looks like the pulley with power goes to everything else (not serpentine) so I'll just cut the damn thing. Planning on removing the AC anyway