Author Topic: Fan Clutch removal (Read 3924 times)

jimivc1 · « **on:** June 19, 2008, 06:14:35 PM »

Need assistance please on removing the fan and clutch assembly on my 93 318i. I am trying to replace the water pump.

Thanks,

Jim

jimivc1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2008, 06:17:57 PM »

Note: I was able to loosen up the belt sheave (4 bolts) assuming that was what held fan to pump shaft.

jimivc1 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2008, 08:36:46 PM »

I have taken the fan blade assembly off but the clutch remains. I cannot come up with a method to break the nut free on the water pump stub shaft and I cannot extract the pump bolts due to clearance issues.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

rhogg · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2008, 09:45:58 PM »

So...
1) The main fan nut is an opposite thread. Ie NOT righty tighty lefty loosey
2) You need to use the 4 bolts to counter hold the clutch while you unscrew the fan nut.

I have used a bicycle crank wrench as a counter holder and also made a tool out of angle iron to counter hold the fan nut. Basically you drill a hole, use one of the 4 bolts.

Pelican Parts has a DIY that explains all this

jimivc1 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2008, 10:23:27 PM »

Thanks for the info. I found a special tool that you can buy but will try and engineer my own since I do not plan on doing this often.

nc_bboy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2008, 12:00:35 AM »

:Dwell i know an easier way..You can buy a regular 32mm wrench from sears and works perfectly fine. Well look at my drawing and you'll get the point. This will save money and it will work getting the fan clutch off and on. Also this can be used to get the fan pulley bolts off. Hope it HELPS! Just PM if you need any help!:D

Heres the drawing!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/xPacifcx1slanderx/Fancluchrelease.jpg

Ok this woudln't fit even when i made it smaller so i'm trying the picture like this.

rhogg · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2008, 08:45:46 AM »

The 32m wrench is not the counter holder -- its the size of the clutch nut. A screw driver might work if the nut is not on too tight. Otherwise skinned knuckles. My E30 was actually much easier to remove than my E46. I built the tool for the E46 and needed a 3lb sledge and a mighty big 32mm wrench to get that sucker off.

peerless · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2008, 01:20:02 PM »

I say just buy the tool. If you ever need to do anything such as timing chains or repair from cover leaks, etc. You will use that tool again. I didn't purchase on for the longest time, I just got tired of fighting with it. Sometimes they come off easy, sometimes they are a nightmare.

Just did one recently and some rocket scientist decided to 'lock-tite' the clutch nut. Without the tool I would have never got it off.

Buy the tool, you will use it again.

mkodama · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2008, 04:40:55 PM »

Quote from: rhogg;51661

The 32m wrench is not the counter holder -- its the size of the clutch nut. A screw driver might work if the nut is not on too tight. Otherwise skinned knuckles. My E30 was actually much easier to remove than my E46. I built the tool for the E46 and needed a 3lb sledge and a mighty big 32mm wrench to get that sucker off.

Heh, getting it off my E46 was pain too! The sledge method, or screw driver method wouldn't work. First pulley holding tool was out of aluminum and that got torn to shreds. And I finally made another tool out of 1/4 steel, which barely made it, haha.

Quote from: peerless;51680

I say just buy the tool. If you ever need to do anything such as timing chains or repair from cover leaks, etc. You will use that tool again. I didn't purchase on for the longest time, I just got tired of fighting with it. Sometimes they come off easy, sometimes they are a nightmare.

Just did one recently and some rocket scientist decided to 'lock-tite' the clutch nut. Without the tool I would have never got it off.

Buy the tool, you will use it again.

+1 really useful tool, will make your life so much easier, and you won't skin your knuckles, or in my case, my wrist, which bled a lot.