300Tdi Viscous Fan Removal & Hub Nut Socket

[Pavo]

Hi,

I have a 98 300tdi and am going to replace the coolant and all hoses. I read that to remove the viscous fan, I need a slim 32mm open ended spanner. Can anyone confirm if this is the case or will a normal 32mm open ended spanner fit. If I need a slim one, where can I buy one?

Next question - where can I buy a 52mm hub nut socket? Or tube spanner? Does anyone know if this also needs to be a reasonably thin socket (if you know what I mean) given that it has to slide into to hub a little? Repco have told me I can buy an ABW socket for around $75...just seems a bit steep.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Peter

[Coastie]

Hi Peter,

Yes you will need a slim 32mm spanner, the one I have is 7mm wide, I picked it up from a flea market its fairly old. Standard (modern) spanners are too wide usually.

The 52mm socket I bought from british off road on the Sunshine Coast for about $7.50 several years ago. It is a tube spanner type to which I welded an old 1/2 inch drive socket to aid in use.

What is your location?

Pete

[Pavo]

I'm in Sydney - Revesby.

I have also seen a 32mm spanner made by ABW for about $35 I think. They say it's for the viscous fan on many Fords.

I would guess it would be fine for a 300tdi also.

I don't have a big problem paying for them as they do last forever, but would like to know my options before I do!

Peter

[Reads90]

Originally posted by Pavo
Hi,

I have a 98 300tdi and am going to replace the coolant and all hoses. I read that to remove the viscous fan, I need a slim 32mm open ended spanner. Can anyone confirm if this is the case or will a normal 32mm open ended spanner fit. If I need a slim one, where can I buy one?

Next question - where can I buy a 52mm hub nut socket? Or tube spanner? Does anyone know if this also needs to be a reasonably thin socket (if you know what I mean) given that it has to slide into to hub a little? Repco have told me I can buy an ABW socket for around $75...just seems a bit steep.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Peter

Just a tip the thread on the viscous is a reverable thread

[Pavo]

Thanks. The Haynes manual says that, but I don't think it's mentioned in the genuine one. Always good to be reminded.

[PhilipA]

Graeme Cooper and Graeme Cooper if you ar in Sydney or I think he could post em.
Regard s Philip A

[Pavo]

Thanks heaps. I will call/email him tomorrow.

Oh and I checked the genuine manual also says it's a reverse thread.

[PhilipA]

Yep, you put the spanner on and whack it with a hammer towards the passenger side, if you are in Australia.
Regards Philip A

[p38arover]

Dunno about the Tdi, but on the P38A, I just use a big shifting spanner and hit it with a hammer.

Works a treat.

Note that the LH threads are only on cars with serpentine belts (in V8s - dunno about diesels).

I bought my hub nut spanner (for previous RR) from Four Wheel Drives in Melbourne.

Ron

[PhilipA]

No Ron, LH thread only for V belt. I have a ERR2266 300Tdi Vbelt on my 93 3.9 Rangie.
Regards Philip A

[p38arover]

Originally posted by PhilipA
No Ron, LH thread only for V belt. I have a ERR2266 300Tdi Vbelt on my 93 3.9 Rangie.
Regards Philip A

Oops. What was I thinking? :oops:

Ron

[Pavo]

All my questions were answered but now I have another one.

The part ERR2266 is for the viscous unit for a 300tdi (maybe for others, I'm not sure) and mine is not a V-Belt. It's a multigroove serpentine belt. Maybe I've got the name's of belts wrong, but I thought the V-Belts are the old style where they usually have 2 of them.

[disconut]

Originally posted by Pavo
I'm in Sydney - Revesby.

I have also seen a 32mm spanner made by ABW for about $35 I think. They say it's for the viscous fan on many Fords.

I would guess it would be fine for a 300tdi also.

I don't have a big problem paying for them as they do last forever, but would like to know my options before I do!

Peter

I bought mine from Repco, price sounds about right. They are offset, (the handle is out of line with the spanner end when looking at it side on).
It is a standard viscous fan spanner. Nothing special, but you need it.

Trev.

[rick130]

It's definately a left hand thread on the 300 Tdi poly V belt, as I did mine up yesterday https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

As those above have said, just give your 32 mm fan spanner a whack with a hammer, it will come off fine.The reason for the LHT is so that it tends to tighten when running, so it can't come loose.

[PhilipA]

I have to say oops here and sorry to Ron here.
I assumed that the ERR2266 was from a V belt car because it has the same thread as a 3.9. Graeme Cooper gave me one with a fan to try, as it was faulty on a 300Tdi , causing overheating but had no apparent problem.
So maybe the poly belt also is LH thread, I dunno, but it sure fits my 3.9 v belt no probs.
regards Philip A

[Defender200Tdi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>The reason for the LHT is so that it tends to tighten when running, so it can't come loose.[/b][/quote]

It's a pity LR didn't apply the same logic to the pulley bolt on a 200tdi. Maybe then you wouldn't have to do it up to 330nm with loctite (and still have it come undone in operation, buggering things up). :roll:

For the 32mm fan spanner, I just bought an el cheapo 32mm open ender and heated it up with the oxy to bend a dog leg in it. Works a treat. :wink:

[rick130]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>It's a pity LR didn't apply the same logic to the pulley bolt on a 200tdi. Maybe then you wouldn't have to do it up to 330nm with loctite (and still have it come undone in operation, buggering things up)[/b][/quote]

I destroyed my 18" 'Snap On' (Snap Off ??) breaker bar yesterday doing up the bloody crank bolt. 60lb/ft + 90* was juuuust a touch too much for the 1/2" square drive.
The failure was interesting for anyone thats into that sort of thing https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
It started as a stress raiser at the drilling for the ball and spring that retains the socket or extension bar, then propogated out from there in a lovely radial twist, just like an axle shearing (which is what it is, I 'spose)
The clevis, much to my surprise, is fine, with just the square drive failing.

I wonder if Snap On will warranty it ?? https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Defender200Tdi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>The failure was interesting for anyone thats into that sort of thing
It started as a stress raiser at the drilling for the ball and spring that retains the socket or extension bar, then propogated out from there in a lovely radial twist, just like an axle shearing (which is what it is, I 'spose)
The clevis, much to my surprise, is fine, with just the square drive failing. [/b][/quote]

:roll:
I know I've said it before, but Rick maaate...you gotta get out more. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[rick130]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I know I've said it before, but Rick maaate...you gotta get out more. Razz[/b][/quote]
may be, :oops:
but do you reckon swinging off the breaker bar with a 5' length of water pipe will void warranty ?? :? :wink:

[Defender200Tdi]

Originally posted by rick130
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I know I've said it before, but Rick maaate...you gotta get out more. Razz
may be, :oops:
but do you reckon swinging off the breaker bar with a 5' length of water pipe will void warranty ?? :? :wink:[/b][/quote]

Not if they can't see any marks on the breaker bar handle from the water pipe. Tip: Make sure the extension is undersize and machine it out to be a very close fit to the breaker bar handle. That way it won't mark, and your warranty will stay intact. Guess how I know that. :wink:

[cookiesa]

Just replaced mine. Definately get the hub spanner. Bought mine (Ford One) from Repco for $31. Easy job.

Don't know how true this is but 2 parts supply places tell me that you can no longer get the coupling by itself (Except what store's may already have in stock). You now have to buy the coupling with the fan rivetted to it.

Short of it is is now around$400 instead of $200!

If anyone has anything different I would be interested for next time! At that price I'll be going electric when mine goes next time.

I believe you can fit a 16" and 14" electric fan alongside each other on the 300Tdi radiator.

With temp switch both fans etc total of $220. That's without even looking around. Had Electric on my lada and they never let me down despite being drowned and run in hot extremes (40+ at 100km/h)

[langy]

I suspect, Pete, that you're the guy I met at TR spares the other day. ( You'll recognise the avatar I imagine). If you really want a tube spanner, Coopers at Tempe has a couple in stock ( After I was at TR I went over to Coopers - search back a day or two in Tech and you'll find "Notes on Tdi alternator).

1. As confirmed by others, that Ford spanner is correct for the job. If you have to do anything regarding the belts, makes life so much easier if you whip the fan off. (Reminder, nut goes driver side to passenger side to get off, I find that's the easiest way to remember)

2. If you replace the lower radiator hose, make sure the heater offshoot that passes above the water pump pulley is secure. If it flops around it'll wear the pipe away. ( Tie wraps good)

3. Find some brass plugs to replace the plastic radiator and top fill plugs if you are going to play with the coolant system. ( TR & Coopers, cheap ) High probability of the plastic cracking in our age disco.

4. If you are going to look at the bearings, you will need a circlip plier (supercrap, cheap). Look under the rubber cap.

And welcome to the joys of Tdi'ing

Langy

[Pavo]

That was me at TR Spares.

I have ordered the tube spanner from Graeme Cooper - $28 + $ for delivery.

And $28 for the 32mm fan spanner from another shop.

Thanks for all the help everyone.