Thread: Viscous Fan Removal Tool

Originally Posted by vbrab

Just checking, you are hitting the spanner to the left (anticlockwise)? (Direction of fan travel.)
They can difficult to loosen and in past I've also had to resort to wedging at least two of the three nuts on the pulley to limit the unit turning to undo it.
I attach pic of (very) crude but effective pulley nut holder made from some scrap. just a piece of flat bar with a rebate and two holes to put over the pukkey nuts.
hub holder.jpg

Yep, anticlockwise when looking from front of the vehicle (same direction as fan). I'm now feeling 99% sure about hitting it the right way... Just seems to be painfully stubborn.
Also tried jamming a flat head against one of the 10mm nuts and the belt (located under fan on right side) to eliminate the 'shock absorber' effect from holding it by hand. I'll have to scurry around and look for a steel plate I can make a tool similar to your beautiful creation. or I'll get something laser cut if I'm patient enough for the wait.

Thanks again all for your advice! I'll be sure to check in if she ever comes off.

I once found someone had Loctited to fan nut onto the clutch.

Originally Posted by Rohaan

Yep, anticlockwise when looking from front of the vehicle (same direction as fan). I'm now feeling 99% sure about hitting it the right way... Just seems to be painfully stubborn.
Also tried jamming a flat head against one of the 10mm nuts and the belt (located under fan on right side) to eliminate the 'shock absorber' effect from holding it by hand. I'll have to scurry around and look for a steel plate I can make a tool similar to your beautiful creation. or I'll get something laser cut if I'm patient enough for the wait.

Thanks again all for your advice! I'll be sure to check in if she ever comes off.

I made that "tool" with limited items available (angle grinder and a drill. I live remote), but first made a cardboard template that fitted and then used that template to make my "tool"
i would try for at least 3-4mm thick flat bar, as you can see that if thinner it can bend (like my "tool" has).

Originally Posted by p38arover

The fan always unscrews in the same direction that rotates.

I made a hub holding spanner but until I had it, just giving the fan nut spanner a sharp hit with a hammer would loosen it.

Rule number 1

Was shown a very good very handy trick.

the trick was to use a used TD5 head bolt, square off the threaded end then use it as a very long punch, place on edge of nut and whack with 1.5 -2lb hammer. Fan did just spin off. Only need to hand tight when refitting :0) Used method with success more than once.

Hope this helps.

My 99 D2 with 13yrs and over 300k km long gone.

Cheers

RF

I just use a normal open ended spanner and a quick hit with a hammer... Works every time.

Originally Posted by pop058

Rule number 1

Otherwise it unscrews all by itself..