Wrenches on Fan Clutch? (1 Viewer)

[TomOsborne]

I'm working on a radiator, fan clutch, thermostat, etc. replacement/removal, and wanted to user a flair wrench on the clutch. Seems like others have used the same technique. Also read others used a gear wrench. Problem was my flair didn't seem to fit. The space between the hub and the outside of the nut seemed to shallow to let a flair wrap around entirely. Has anyone had a similar problem and found a wrench that worked when others didn't? This would help me hit the ground running and thanks for checking on the thread. Seems like a gear wrench would even be worse. Idk just curious. Again many thanks MUD.

 

[scottryana]

I am sure I either used a ratcheting wrench or a box end wrench, I don't remember any particular difficulty.

 

[BigAxeJack]

I've used two open wrenches with success. One to hold the clutch and the other to loosen a nut. Once they break loose they spin off easily, or did for me anyway. To loosen the last one I put a piece of rubber hose over the shank of a screwdriver (to avoid marring threads) and used that to wedge a stud to hold the clutch.

 

[flintknapper]

The area between the hub and the mount is indeed very narrow.

I use a ratcheting wrench to break the nuts loose and back them part of the way off. Then use my fingers to spin them off the rest of the way. If you try to remove them entirely with a wrench you'll only succeed in having the wrench get stuck.

Getting the nuts OFF isn't the problem for me. I have large hands (more like paws) and putting the nuts back ON in that limited space is the real challenge.

 

[Michael Hanson]

HI, I use service wrenches. Mike

 

[-Spike-]

Harbor Freight sells a set of long handle wrenches that is helpful on this and other projects.

 

[landtank]

what size are the heads? I've seen 13mm nuts used which were a bit of a challenge to take off. factory nuts are 12mm

 

[inkpot]

Harbor Freight sells a set of long handle wrenches that is helpful on this and other projects.

Those are box end, aren't they?

 

[-Spike-]

Yep, combination actually, and they work better than flare-end wrenches, which almost always are too fat to fit into places like the fan nuts. Flare-end wrenches are bastards, useful in rare circumstances when you can't get a box end on the nut and an open end isn't quite strong enough.

But you know all this, you told me to buy a set...

 

[TomOsborne]

I've used two open wrenches with success. One to hold the clutch and the other to loosen a nut. Once they break loose they spin off easily, or did for me anyway. To loosen the last one I put a piece of rubber hose over the shank of a screwdriver (to avoid marring threads) and used that to wedge a stud to hold the clutch.

Good idea. Thanks for the input friend.

 

[TomOsborne]

what size are the heads? I've seen 13mm nuts used which were a bit of a challenge to take off. factory nuts are 12mm

They are 12mm. I couldn't even get a box on the nuts, let alone my flair. Good thing is they were not as rusty as would have guessed. I was getting a little tired and didn't want to end my day by stripping a nut. They will probably come right off. Parts should be here today and that's the first thing I'll dig into when i get home. Thanks everyone!

 

[inkpot]

They are 12mm. I couldn't even get a box on the nuts, let alone my flair. Good thing is they were not as rusty as would have guessed. I was getting a little tired and didn't want to end my day by stripping a nut. They will probably come right off. Parts should be here today and that's the first thing I'll dig into when i get home. Thanks everyone!

That's kinda strange. I have done dozens of them with a 12 mm box end and a large screw driver to keep the pulley from rotating. In guessing you may have aftermarket 13 mm nuts? Very common to find them on there. You could test fit with a 12 mm open end wrench.

 

[flintknapper]

That's kinda strange. I have done dozens of them with a 12 mm box end and a large screw driver to keep the pulley from rotating. In guessing you may have aftermarket 13 mm nuts? Very common to find them on there. You could test fit with a 12 mm open end wrench.

^^^^^^ Same way I do it.

I have a set of 'GearWrench' ratcheting wrenches and it will fit on the nut just fine. I just can't back the nut ALL the way off using the wrench or it become stuck between the hub and the mount.

But I can break the nuts loose with it and get them about half way off before I need to remove the wrench and finish removing the nuts with just my fingers.

 

[bigredmachine]

i use a box end to crack the nuts loose and hold the clutch with a a screw driver