A/C Clutch???

[Kneale Brownson]

I'm hearing an occasional brief sort-of metalic squeal noise  while the A/C
is operating on my 200q20v.  Used to be just a click when the clutch
engaged, and I still hear that most of the time, but there's this
occasional short chirp.  Is that my A/C clutch complaining about more than
200K miles of use and 14 years of age?  Should I be planning to buy one to
have on hand for when it fails completely?  Is there any reason to replace
it before it goes out completely?