I am replacing the fan clutch on a 2000 Durango with a 5.9. The fan clutch bolts on with one big built-in nut at the base. As I am trying to loosen it, the pulley that it bolts to is turning freely - well after the belt loses grip anyway - and I am just turning the whole assembly with the wrench. Any ideas on how to keep this from happening? I have tried adding pressure against the belt with a broom handle from above which increases the pressure it takes before it starts slipping, but no matter what I have tried, I can't get enough pressure on it to keep the pulley still. Is there a magic bullet that I am missing out on?

Thanks in advance.

 

alright, so at least I am not alone... after a bit more searching I stumbled across this thread:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-durango/127565-fan-clutch-removal-problem.html

Now, the one thing that caught my eye was the last guy's post that it is a reverse thread. There were no smilies, but that was a joke right? I have even gone back down and threaded the replacement on and off of my finger to make sure!

Now, off to find out wth a strap wrench is.

 

my 99 d with a 318 is NOT reverse thread

 

the 5.9 360 is reverse thread there is a spanner wrench made to hold the pulley while you loosen the nut

 

Strap Wrench..

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0P?vName=Tools

or a whole bunch of 'em..

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...rench&sLevel=0

they are also *GREAT* for stuck pickle jar lids.

 

I got a couple strap wrenches from auto zone for all of 3 bucks I think. Great for those pesky oil filters too.

 

If I recall my 2000 5.2L was reverse thread. If i remember correctly I thought i was going to need my favorite torch to get it off but I tried to tighten it first to try to break the bond and it came loose haha. I would try but I've worked on too many different cars so it might not have been the D...

 

I swear mine was reverse as well.

Then again I was too cheap and I held the pully with my man strength, put a wrench on it and had the wife smack the end of the wrench with a mallet. Worked great!

Heating it can ruin the seals on the water pump.

 

True about ruining the pump seals but thats why I was in there anyways so I was going to bring out the hot wrench but then I figured it out.

 

I think lok-Tite is supposed to be used on replacement of the fan on it's threads. There are 2 different setup's on the water pump. Some have the pulley on them and others are pressed on. You'll have to look at what you have. Also replace the bypass hose while you are in there including the two clamps.