fan clutch nut is stuck :(
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fan clutch nut is stuck :(
my 2001 dakota 3.9 V-6 has a bad fan clutch bearing, i got a new fan clutch from NAPA but cannot get the old one off.
the parts guy said it was a reverse thread, is that right ?
i even made a tool to hold the pully and am using a 12" crecent wrench, but cannot budge it, i did soak it in PBblaster also.
should i get a longer wrench ?
any other suggestions on how to remove the big nut without ruining the water pump ?
the parts guy said it was a reverse thread, is that right ?
i even made a tool to hold the pully and am using a 12" crecent wrench, but cannot budge it, i did soak it in PBblaster also.
should i get a longer wrench ?
any other suggestions on how to remove the big nut without ruining the water pump ?
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The guy is wrong, It is not reverse threads!
There is a tool to hold it, but you can put some small bolts in the 2 holes and hold it that way, and smack it with a hammer. Left.... to the left now!
Tool http://www.costplustools.com/KD-Tool...er_p_2229.html
There is a tool to hold it, but you can put some small bolts in the 2 holes and hold it that way, and smack it with a hammer. Left.... to the left now!
Tool http://www.costplustools.com/KD-Tool...er_p_2229.html
Last edited by Brutus; Feb 15, 2010 at 08:42 PM.
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From: Clermont, Florida
I just replaced my fan clutch today. The nut and wrench turns toward the passenger's side of the truck to loosen. It's a regular right hand thread nut.
I rented the fan clutch tool kit from Autozone, where I got my new fan clutch. None of the wrenches in it fit the fan clutch bolt pattern nor the nut itself. What I did to get mine loose was put 2 of the new bolts that came with my new fan clutch into 2 of the holes on the water pump pulley and used the big spanner wrench from the fan clutch tool kit across those 2 bolt heads with a 1/2" breaker bar to hold the pulley in place. Then I just put a big ole adjustable wrench on the nut and just turned it by hand, towards the right side of the truck. I was surprised at how easily the nut loosened. I used the same method to hold the water pump pulley to tighten the nut on the new fan clutch.
The only thing I noticed is now my engine has that roaring fan clutch noise when I first start it when it is cold. It lasts for maybe half a mile I guess till the fluid in the clutch is dispersed, then the engine sounds normal. My original clutch only did that every once in a while. But my other Dakota, a 2000 Club Cab SLT with the 3.9, had the fan clutch noise when it was cold all the time I had it so I guess that's normal operation for the clutch, but I don't like it much. I guess the noise is better than the alternative, with the clutch permanently locked up like mine did yesterday. It siezed up on us coming home about the last 10 miles of a 100 mile road trip to visit my gf's parents. Scared her to death, I guess she was worried we wouldn't make it home with the engine howling and roaring like that. My truck got us home OK though and I was glad to have been able to fix it myself and for not much money. I replaced mine with the Torqflo fan clutch from AutoZone. $49.00 with a lifetime warranty.
Jimmy
I rented the fan clutch tool kit from Autozone, where I got my new fan clutch. None of the wrenches in it fit the fan clutch bolt pattern nor the nut itself. What I did to get mine loose was put 2 of the new bolts that came with my new fan clutch into 2 of the holes on the water pump pulley and used the big spanner wrench from the fan clutch tool kit across those 2 bolt heads with a 1/2" breaker bar to hold the pulley in place. Then I just put a big ole adjustable wrench on the nut and just turned it by hand, towards the right side of the truck. I was surprised at how easily the nut loosened. I used the same method to hold the water pump pulley to tighten the nut on the new fan clutch.
The only thing I noticed is now my engine has that roaring fan clutch noise when I first start it when it is cold. It lasts for maybe half a mile I guess till the fluid in the clutch is dispersed, then the engine sounds normal. My original clutch only did that every once in a while. But my other Dakota, a 2000 Club Cab SLT with the 3.9, had the fan clutch noise when it was cold all the time I had it so I guess that's normal operation for the clutch, but I don't like it much. I guess the noise is better than the alternative, with the clutch permanently locked up like mine did yesterday. It siezed up on us coming home about the last 10 miles of a 100 mile road trip to visit my gf's parents. Scared her to death, I guess she was worried we wouldn't make it home with the engine howling and roaring like that. My truck got us home OK though and I was glad to have been able to fix it myself and for not much money. I replaced mine with the Torqflo fan clutch from AutoZone. $49.00 with a lifetime warranty.
Jimmy
Last edited by 01SilverCC; Feb 15, 2010 at 11:27 PM.
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hey thanks everyone for the help, i replaced it just now, it is a normal thread and i just had to put some power behind the wrench.
i was wondering about what the parts guys said about reverse thread, i saw nothing about that in the manual so that's why i asked.
my dakota has 46,000 miles on it, that seems kinda soon for a fan clutch to go bad right ?
i was wondering about what the parts guys said about reverse thread, i saw nothing about that in the manual so that's why i asked.
my dakota has 46,000 miles on it, that seems kinda soon for a fan clutch to go bad right ?
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From: Clermont, Florida
Glad to know you got yours done. I have heard they only last about 10 years so maybe it was just time. I don't know if they wear out over time or if mileage is worse on them. Maybe the oil in it just gets old and thick sooner if the truck is not driven as much. I replaced mine yesterday, but I have 124,000 miles on my Dakota.
If you don't mind my asking does your new fan clutch make the roaring sound every time you start the truck when it's cold? My old one hardly ever did it but this new one sounds like a jet engine first thing in the morning. Sound goes away after a mile or so. It will do it in the afternoon too, just for not as long a time. Maybe that will get better when warmer weather gets here.
Jimmy
If you don't mind my asking does your new fan clutch make the roaring sound every time you start the truck when it's cold? My old one hardly ever did it but this new one sounds like a jet engine first thing in the morning. Sound goes away after a mile or so. It will do it in the afternoon too, just for not as long a time. Maybe that will get better when warmer weather gets here.
Jimmy
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Glad to know you got yours done. I have heard they only last about 10 years so maybe it was just time. I don't know if they wear out over time or if mileage is worse on them. Maybe the oil in it just gets old and thick sooner if the truck is not driven as much. I replaced mine yesterday, but I have 124,000 miles on my Dakota.
If you don't mind my asking does your new fan clutch make the roaring sound every time you start the truck when it's cold? My old one hardly ever did it but this new one sounds like a jet engine first thing in the morning. Sound goes away after a mile or so. It will do it in the afternoon too, just for not as long a time. Maybe that will get better when warmer weather gets here.
Jimmy
If you don't mind my asking does your new fan clutch make the roaring sound every time you start the truck when it's cold? My old one hardly ever did it but this new one sounds like a jet engine first thing in the morning. Sound goes away after a mile or so. It will do it in the afternoon too, just for not as long a time. Maybe that will get better when warmer weather gets here.
Jimmy