Is there a way to remove the fan clutch backyard/ shadetree/redneck style? I don't have a 36mm wrench buy I do have access to a 1-7/16ths at work I figure it could be something I could do on my "coffee break". I was told it is a 10 minute job.

 

Autozone rent a tool my man they should have it or one of the other auto places.

I was suprized also but I was asking about large MM sockets and they said no need to buy rent from us.

This may of been Orilley not autozone

 

When I did mine I used the free loan a tool kit from Auto Zone but it did not work very well for me. What I did was put two bolts into the holes on the front of my water pump pulley and used the large spanner wrench from the kit to hold across the heads of the bolts, it kept the pulley still so I could use an adjustable wrench to loosen the fan clutch nut. It did not take much effort to loosen it that first time.

Some have had success with putting a c-clamp or vise grips on the water pump pulley to hold it still, then put a big adjustable wrench on the fan clutch nut so the handle points straight up and use a hammer to whack the end of the wrench towards the passenger side of the truck, it should pop the nut loose. If your fan is like mine, there is a space between two of the blades that is wider than the others. It may help to turn the fan so the wide space is facing up, it will give you more room to work.

After you remove the fan clutch nut the first time, if you ever have to do it again, all it should take is a big adjustable wrench and a few whacks with a medium sized hammer.

Jimmy

 

I think I have the "redneck" way covered... All I did was grab a crescent wrench and put it on the nut, and pushed down pretty hard on the belt with my hand. And it broke loose no problem.

But, this fan clutch was not original... It's a replacement I put on like a year ago. When I took off the first one, I forget what I did but I didn't try it the way I did it the second time.

 

I heard that it's ok to run the truck without the fan installed at all. Is it true? I know on my truck, the main fan never even comes on except when I first start it sometimes.

 

I used a big set of 16" channel locks to get my fan off, unfortunately mine was very tight and my thumb has the scar to prove it. Good luck.

 

A pair of channel locks and either straight pliers or vise grips is how I got mine off...I know I've posted a pic on here before if you do some searching maybe it would come up. I've also run mine now over 2 years, stop and go, highway, hot, cold and its never once been a problem without it.

 

The easy way is to use a air chisel, hit the nut counter clock wise and it will loosen it right up.