Fan bracket removal part of timing belt replacement

[tg470]

I'm just about through all of the disassembly for the timing belt replacement on my 03 LX470. I'm kind of stuck on the A/C compressor being in the way of the fan bracket.

I've seen this picture which looks like if you remove the front 2 bolts of the compressor, the fan bracket comes out.

My problem is there is a stud that pretty much keeps that bracket from moving around the bracket and electrical connector (even if the bracket is bent)

What am I missing to get this thing off?

I've read about loosening the rear A/C compressor bolt but I absolutely cannot figure out how to get a socket on there and actually loosen the thing.

Should I be focusing more on removing the bracket atop the compressor?

Something else?


Thanks!

 

[gatormark91]

I'm just about through all of the disassembly for the timing belt replacement on my 03 LX470. I'm kind of stuck on the A/C compressor being in the way of the fan bracket.

I've seen this picture which looks like if you remove the front 2 bolts of the compressor, the fan bracket comes out.

View attachment 1923622

My problem is there is a stud that pretty much keeps that bracket from moving around the bracket and electrical connector (even if the bracket is bent)

View attachment 1923623


What am I missing to get this thing off?

I've read about loosening the rear A/C compressor bolt but I absolutely cannot figure out how to get a socket on there and actually loosen the thing.

Should I be focusing more on removing the bracket atop the compressor?

Something else?


Thanks!

Does it move, but just won't come out? If I remember right from when I did mine, if it moves, there is a thin metal bracket for a wiring connector that you can temporarily bend out of the way, so you can slide the fan bracket off, then bend the bracket back when you are done. If it is stuck, try whacking it with a mallet.

 

[Nijas98hundie]

Try removing the inner wheel well to access the bolts from the outside. I didn’t remove the compressor completely but just loosened it to gain clearance.

 

[Nijas98hundie]

Try removing the inner wheel well to access the bolts from the outside. I didn’t remove the compressor completely but just loosened it to gain clearance.

To clarify, just the plastic well, with the snap rivets.

 

[tg470]

Does it move, but just won't come out? If I remember right from when I did mine, if it moves, there is a thin metal bracket for a wiring connector that you can temporarily bend out of the way, so you can slide the fan bracket off, then bend the bracket back when you are done. If it is stuck, try whacking it with a mallet.

It moves, it just can't removed because that stud is in the way. @Nijas98hundie I think answered my question to loosen that rear A/C compressor bolt and get better access by removing the plastic inner wheel well.

 

[gatormark91]

That's not a stud, it's actually one of the water pump bolts, it has a threaded extra bit on the end that looks like a stud with the fan bracket on You really don't have to remove or loosen the AC compressor at all. Just double nut that "stud" and back it out a little bit, and the fan bracket will come out .

 

[tg470]

Just wanted to follow up that the trick for me was to remove the flat splash guard and then I was able to get my arm up behind the rear A/C compressor bolt. Fortunately, it was not excessively tight.

 

[Brandon Ryder]

i know you already did this but it is possible to do this without removing or loosening rear ac bolt. remove the two front bolts as shown. then there is a plastic a c electrical connector that need to be slid off its mounting tab. then there's a metal tab coming of the conpressor that hooks over the fan bracket. bend it up enough to clear the bracket and the bracket will slide towards you and off that stud.

this picture shows the electrical tab and just above my finger you can see the metal tab that needs to be bent. it bends back afterwards

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Up on this thread as I have similar issue but pertaining only to the upper driver side fan bracket bolt.

I am in the middle of my tb/wp job and part of my pms components to be replaced is the fan bracket assembly. I noticed that the upper securing bolt on the driver side (upper part of the compressor) wasn’t fully seated to the washer to the head of the bolt. Already gave my the idea that the previous person (dealership as per service record) forced the bolt to get tightened incorrectly causing the bolt to be stripped, which was also the reason why it took me quite a while to loosen it because I had to try different angles, areas and means to do it. But eventually had to muscle up a little bit to get it loose.

My question is how do I remove the compressor? This long securing bolt is long enough to hit the wheel arch and the only way to remove the bolt is to move the compressor. I don’t feel comfortable using this same stripped securing bolt on a brand new fan bracket assembly which is likely to get thread stripped too. Any tips anyone can share is highly appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[MountaineerLC]

I was able to easily remove the fan bracket when I did my TB job without loosening or removing the AC compressor. I just removed the two bolts that mount it to the fan bracket. One bolt is just above and behind the oil filter and one is higher up. The top one I accessed with a couple of extensions through the steering rack tunnel.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

I was able to easily remove the fan bracket when I did my TB job without loosening or removing the AC compressor. I just removed the two bolts that mount it to the fan bracket. One bolt is just above and behind the oil filter and one is higher up. The top one I accessed with a couple of extensions through the steering rack tunnel.

that’s what I did too. Finally removed the bolt above the ac compressor but that one is completely stripped. I wish to replace it with a new one but it hits the frame as it is a long bolt. So the only way I think to remove that bolt is to remove first the ac compressor to give that wiggle room. Thinking now how to remove the AC compressor..

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Pic is c/o @OTRAMM, this is the bolt I am trying to remove. With his video it gave me a better perspective.

This securing bolt for the side of the fan bracket was the one that got stripped, it also hits the frame rail of truck on when you try to slide it out. The only way I guess to take it out is to take out the compressor first to create enough room for that bolt to slide out.

 

[graveling]

Pic is c/o @OTRAMM, this is the bolt I am trying to remove. With his video it gave me a better perspective.

View attachment 2460886

This securing bolt for the side of the fan bracket was the one that got stripped, it also hits the frame rail of truck on when you try to slide it out. The only way I guess to take it out is to take out the compressor first to create enough room for that bolt to slide out.

Did you remove the lower bolt, on the back side of the compressor? I removed the front wheel and a plastic apron to get at it. Was a pain to break the back one loose.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Did you remove the lower bolt, on the back side of the compressor? I removed the front wheel and a plastic apron to get at it. Was a pain to break the back one loose.

Nope I haven’t tried that yet, I saw it but since you mentioned it will try that out, thank you very much.

 

[97 AZ LC]

That upper compressor bolt should slip right out. See OTRAMM first generation timing belt video at 35:30 -

 

[MountaineerLC]

Pic is c/o @OTRAMM, this is the bolt I am trying to remove. With his video it gave me a better perspective.

View attachment 2460886

This securing bolt for the side of the fan bracket was the one that got stripped, it also hits the frame rail of truck on when you try to slide it out. The only way I guess to take it out is to take out the compressor first to create enough room for that bolt to slide out.

That's the bolt I accessed by going up through the steering rack "tunnel" in the frame using two extensions and a deep socket. It was a straight shot to the bolt head with no real issues getting it out or back in. If you're still having issues tomorrow I can try and take some pics to help show how I did it. I didn't have to remove a wheel either.

 

[97 AZ LC]

That's the bolt I accessed by going up through the steering rack "tunnel" in the frame using two extensions and a deep socket. It was a straight shot to the bolt head with no real issues getting it out or back in. If you're still having issues tomorrow I can try and take some pics to help show how I did it. I didn't have to remove a wheel either.

I believe he's talking about the top front compressor bolt rather than the bottom front. The top bolt is normally accessed from the top.

 

[MountaineerLC]

I believe he's talking about the top front compressor bolt rather than the bottom front. The top bolt is normally accessed from the top.

Yep, that's the one I accessed as described above. For clarification sake, there's the lower bolt just above the oil filter (that was no problem at all) and then a third father back below the manifold that Otramm recommends loosening to give you a little wiggle room when sliding the fan bracket out. I left that bolt alone and found no need to mess with it personally.

If I get a chance I'll snap some pics tomorrow for posterity. It's a tight area and difficult to describe with words alone. I found the TB job to be something like a big jigsaw puzzle.

 

[MJK]

If memory serves, a wobble, some extensions, deep sockets and a 3/8" flex ratchet allowed me to remove the A/C compressor from inside the driver's wheel area (truck on ground, wheel still attached). Not fun, but not terrible.

 

[97 AZ LC]

Guys, you're not paying attention. Go back and read posts 9, 11 and 12. He's talking about the upper bolt. He has it unthreaded from the fan bracket but can't get it out of the compressor to replace it with a new bolt. He has to replace it with a new bolt because it is stripped.

OEMGUY - the bolt should come right out. See my post #15. I have taken that bolt out many times and have never loosened the rear compressor bolt. Try it again. If it does not come out it is either because your truck sustained frame damage in a prior accident or your motor mounts have sunk. If it's the latter you may be able to get the bolt out by jacking the engine a bit.