Cooling fan removal

[Ratchey]

My radiator fan tore itself apart today. Trying to get it out without removing everything but there isn't enough clearance between the radiator and the clutch. The top part of the shroud is pretty much gone so that isn't too much of a problem.

What is the easiest way to get the fan blades out?

 

[Ratchey]

Ended up pulling the fan clutch as well. Got the clutch and fan out only to find a broken stud on the fan mounting bracket. Now to find one of those as well.
Thanks.

 

[Ratchey]

A few pics of the fun

 

[100kiwi]

Probably best to just put a new mount in it.
16380-0S010 is the part number.
That fan viabrated, so the bearing could go out next

 

[hoser]

Loosen serpentine belt and check for cracked fan bracket and worn bearing.

 

[Ratchey]

It gets better as I go deeper. I don't think the radiator is leaking but will keep a close eye on it.

 

[hoser]

Is the bearing loose or seized? Often the bearing causes the bracket to crack. I would check all the pulleys/bearings along the serpentine path as well.

 

[KLF]

I'm amazed it didn't do more damage. I remember this happening to a friend's 4Runner many years ago (3.0 L V6), the shrapnel destroyed the shroud, battery , hoses, and put a bunch of dents in his hood.

 

[Ratchey]

Is the bearing loose or seized? Often the bearing causes the bracket to crack. I would check all the pulleys/bearings along the serpentine path as well.

Bearing seems perfectly fine. The broken mounting hole does give me an idea. That is the bolt under the hard lines. It was a bear to get out even with the bracket removed. Maybe if I trim just enough metal to be able to slide onto the bolt already in place... hmmmm.

I'm amazed it didn't do more damage. I remember this happening to a friend's 4Runner many years ago (3.0 L V6), the shrapnel destroyed the shroud, battery , hoses, and put a bunch of dents in his hood.

Yeah, if the radiator doesn't leak I got off very lucky

 

[bloc]

That broken stud is rusted on the end, suggesting it had been broken for a while.

 

[Ratchey]

That broken stud is rusted on the end, suggesting it had been broken for a while.

Wouldn't surprise me. My guess for a cause is that I chipped one fan blade about 4 years ago when I was replacing the radiator and water pump. It was just a small piece and I really didn't give it much thought. It is possible it was enough to cause a very slight wobble that just got worse over the years. Or maybe I over torqued that nut and stretched the stud. Hard to say.
I would guess the mount broke when the fan tore apart but maybe it has been broken for a while and caused the fan to break.
So far, no leaks in the radiator. Surprising for how deep that damage to the fins is.