Fan clutch 2, me 0

[Matt_INW]

Over two hours and nothing to show for trying to get the fan clutch off, except for draining the radiator before calling it for the night. I need to get it off so I can replace the clutch, and water pump, and radiator, and thermostat. Have the proper tool rented, yes turning to right to loosen instead of left, used PB Blaster.

And so tomorrow I'll take off the radiator and then take the entire water pump off with the fan and fan clutch still attached. Fun! Oh and then I will destroy the fan clutch so I can get the fan and pulley off. Yeah, maybe before that last bit I'll see if a neighbor adding additional leverage can get the nut to budge. Not holding my breathe though, and don't have a torch and would be afraid to try it.

 

[kcwright1979]

Try a few good blows with a sledgehammer... I got mine off that way and my buddy's powerstroke they can be a B to break loose. Good luck

 

[Matt_INW]

Thanks,

In my fun I did try a rubber mallet, no luck, and it slipped 2 times and smacked the AC compressor, worried I damaged the pulley on it. :-/

 

[kcwright1979]

If all else fails a sawsall will be your best friend in cutting off the clutch best of luck to you

 

[no mufflers]

When I took my fan clutch off I used a air hammer with a sharp chisel, it will make a few marks but it works. I did it when it was on the truck.

 

[IDIoit]

MAP gas works great in situations like this, not an oxy/acc torch.

since youre replacing the clutch and water pump, just cut that badboy with a sawzaw as posted.
less headaches.

 

[Kizer]

I use cheater bars, fence post remnants, on the wrench and holder. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[whiteboyslo]

Thanks,

In my fun I did try a rubber mallet, no luck, and it slipped 2 times and smacked the AC compressor, worried I damaged the pulley on it. :-/

Rubber mallet loses too much energy. Use a deadblow hammer. I've taken mine off twice, and I used the rental tools from the local auto parts store (You are using the wrench in combination with the tool that keeps the fan from turning, yes?). It, combined with a length of pipe slipped over the handle and a deadblow hammer banging on it, got the job done.

Mike

 

[Diesile]

When I took my fan clutch off I used a air hammer with a sharp chisel, it will make a few marks but it works. I did it when it was on the truck.

What he said........works every time!

 

[IDIoit]

i use a baby beater. 2.2 pound sledge....

 

[ironworker40]

When I took my fan clutch off I used a air hammer with a sharp chisel, it will make a few marks but it works. I did it when it was on the truck.

That will work I use a punch instead of a chisel. They make a wrench that goes on a air chisel , maybee your local parts store loans or rents them

 

[laserjock]

i use a baby beater. 2.2 pound sledge....

That's my intermediate adjustment tool. My large ball peen is my fine adjustment tool and the 4lb is the coarse adjustment tool. I haven't ordered it yet, but I will have one of the tools that goes into the air hammer for this job. I stated that the first time I saw riotwarriors. That seems like THE solution to the problem.

 

[FoolhardyIDI]

I use this tool when removing fan clutches. I have had mine for a year now and love using it.
Also if all you have is oxygen/acetylene use a rose bud tip, not a cutting tip. Unless you don't care about the old fan clutch and water pump then go to town.

 

[riotwarrior]

Pneumatic fan wrench never ever failed me yet!!!!

JM2CW

 

[Matt_INW]

Got help from someone, so I hung onto the bar that latches onto the pulley and he pulled on the nut. We thought it finally gave... but no...the bar I was using (rented from Autozone) broke... Yeah that made me happy. So used a sawzall to cut through the clutch nut to the water pump spindle, the metal of the spindle itself was too hard for the sawzall to cut. Well, the nut still didn't budge.

Went to NAPA and for $16 bought a tool that was thicker metal than the broken rented one. Bolted it to the pulley (rented one couldn't be bolted on), then turned it until it rested against the truck frame. Put the wrench on the nut, and hit it with a hammer, after 3 good smacks it loosened and off it came.

Yeah that was a fun 2 evenings, but at least it's off.