I removed my a/c compressor a long time ago and now am trying to refit it and struggling.

Background

I had the compressor re-built, and when they returned it, it had a blank plate in place - which makes sense to keep everything inside nice and clean. I temporary re-fitted it, left the electric connection undone but the pulley in place. All seemed fine, but when I ran the car, I had a banging/tapping noise - which I eventually traced to the blanking plate tapping the side of the chassis. I resolved this at the time by just loosening the pulley adjustment a bit, which moved it a few mm away from the chassis.

Now however, I am trying to get the a/c re-commissioned and this obvious entails removing the blanking plate and fixing on the bracket to which the 2 a/c hoses connect.
But now there appears to be no room for this bracket.

Questions

Is there something obvious I am missing? Does anyone have a photo of a compressor in place on an S4 - and specifically how the bracket fits into the available space?

For info, i show my rebuilt compressor and an image of a similar compressor from the web.

 

What you have done appears to be somewhat bizarre.

One fits the manifold then you assemble the compressor into its cradle then you mount the total assembly.

 

Hi Fred

You can't tell from the photo (which i took later): I did fit the compressor into its cradle with the manifold attached and tried to fit this to the car, but that's when i just ran out of space. After reflecting, i had a look at the part number i bought for the pulley back in May last year, and i think i have got the wrong pulley. I bought 999 192 305 50 (which is 12.5 X 1125) - this fits cars up to 1989. I should have bought 999 192 335 50 (12.5 X 1080). It's only a bit shorter, but i wonder if it I had the correct pulley, it would move the compressor away from the side of the car.
Tomorrow, i will try and see if this could make the difference. It that is the issue, replacing the pulley is a pain, as i would have to release the alternator belt and steering pump hoses,

 

Correct, you need the 1080 mm belt for a 1990 with the 10PA20C compressor. And yes, R&R'ing the AC belt is a pain given it's the rearwardmost one.

 

Ian,
Syntax is obviously not your forte!

The 89 and earlier used a different compressor to the 10PA20 unit your have . I have had problems with belt fitment even with the supposedly correct belt Now it is well stretched I can just about fit it after a fight!