Can't get fan clutch loose

[JamesLond]

I'm using a 12" pipe wrench and smacking the end with a hammer in counter clockwise direction, but it's not coming loose. The problem seems to be that the serpentine belt keeps slipping on the pulley.

So I guess the real question is how I can hold the pulley stationary while I knock the nut loose.

 

[wjburken]

I'm using a 12" pipe wrench and smacking the end with a hammer in counter clockwise direction, but it's not coming loose. The problem seems to be that the serpentine belt keeps slipping on the pulley.

So I guess the real question is how I can hold the pulley stationary while I knock the nut loose.

They do make a tool for this. That being said, might try and make a sort of strap wrench out of an old serpentine belt or get an actual strap clamp to hold the pulley.

 

[Doubeleive]

use a impact on it if there is room, otherwise be creative find something to keep the belt tighter, the tensioner is 15mm put a long ratchet or breaker bar on it and hold it the other way, get a helper, get a longer breaker bar I have one that is about 3 feet. If you have to go to the hardware store and get a piece of galvanized pipe that is large enough to fit around the end of your ratchet.

 

[Scottydoggs]

ive used the tool, its like large pliers but at the end is two pegs sticking out you put in the two bolt holes iirc. then they have a huge wrench, push and pull and pop she goes.

 

[Byoung1330]

U can use a 15 dollar air hammer if u got one. U put it against bolt an hit it an it will knock it lose. Or use a c clamp. Hook it on water pump pulley. Keep it from spinning.

 

[Alex_M]

You call also take a second pipe wrench and hook it into the back of the pulley. The pulley wrench you'll be using sideways. This will let you hold the pulley and you can put as much force as you can muster into it.

 

[THarber]

Its much easier with the right tools. Most all auto stores will rent you one for the day, or sell you one for around $35.00

 

[Doubeleive]

Its much easier with the right tools. Most all auto stores will rent you one for the day, or sell you one for around $35.00

reminds ne of trying to get a serpentine belt on my sisters pacifca, you would think a serpentine belt is a piece of cake, nope.........
i tried everything could not get that bastard on, went and rented the "tool" belt went right on, the tool was designed with a notch to get it just a hair farther than what you could otherwise.

 

[Obnoxus71]

Air hammer works awesome, just hit the nut on the flats with the belt still on

 

[MassHoe04]

I did one on my 05 Jeep in the last year or so...
I took a long pry bar and wedged it between the pulley and the pump, holding pressure on it with one hand.
I had a 24 inch pipe wrench on the clutch nut, with the handle at about 45 degrees, so it would stay put under its own weight.
I held the prybar pressure with one hand and banged on the pipe wrench handle with a 3 lb. short-handle sledge hammer in the other hand.
Two whacks and the nut was loose.

Was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.

I would probably do it that way again, if I had to on the Tahoe. The parts are set up basically the same.

 

[rockola1971]

My Tahoe was a breeze last December. I took water pump off (it was leaking) and took the brand new clutch that came in the box with the new water pump and installed it after i installed the water pump. Tossed old clutch and water pump in the garbage. Tada.

 

[JamesLond]

Its much easier with the right tools. Most all auto stores will rent you one for the day, or sell you one for around $35.00

You've seen this tool? I got something from O'Reilly that holds the pulley, but it only works if there's bolt heads mounted to the top of it.

Autozone has a similar tool with holes for the pegs that fit into the pulley, but there's no pegs included with it.

I have no idea where you guys are seeing this tool.

 

[Scottydoggs]

ive seen vids of ppl using a cold steel chisel and a 3-5 lb sledge hammer, chisel goes on the edge of the nut and whack it hard. most of the time it take 2 -3 blows and its off.

 

[Rocket Man]

You can use a big vise-grip c clamp on the pulley and lock it in place by wedging them like in this post in the tech section. I did this and it worked great.

How to install E-Fans

Step 1 - Pop hood Step 2 - Remove intake tube (This is only IF you want extra space...I didnt pull mine this time but you might want to) Step 3 - Remove two top bolts and pull coolant line clip out of shroud Step 4 - The Fan Shroud is two pieces. A top and a bottom. They are connected...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Tonyv__]

You can use a big vise-grip c clamp on the pulley and lock it in place by wedging them like in this post in the tech section. I did this and it worked great.

How to install E-Fans

Step 1 - Pop hood Step 2 - Remove intake tube (This is only IF you want extra space...I didnt pull mine this time but you might want to) Step 3 - Remove two top bolts and pull coolant line clip out of shroud Step 4 - The Fan Shroud is two pieces. A top and a bottom. They are connected...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Iirc this is pretty much what I did. I took a pipe wrench and wedged it into the pulley. Figured the pump was trash anyway. I probably wouldn’t use my routine again if I was re using the pump

 

[Rocket Man]

Iirc this is pretty much what I did. I took a pipe wrench and wedged it into the pulley. Figured the pump was trash anyway. I probably wouldn’t use my routine again if I was re using the pump

The c-clamp won’t hurt the pump. It’s pretty efficient at holding the pulley in place, you just have to find the best spot to put it so it has something that it can hold against when you try to spin it.

 

[JamesLond]

I found a tool to hold the pump pulley at the peg holes and it's a fan clutch spanner wrench. It's a Lisle 43580 and you use it with a 1/2" ratchet/breaker bar.

I got it and then rented the 36mm wrench for the nut. We'll see how it goes.

 

[THarber]

 

[THarber]

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/fan-clutch-wrench/p/oemtools-fan-clutch-wrench-set/1069095_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:TLS:8367255572&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOCRBhA8EiwA0X8hixZEoMZQlhXeIjIkXceGshpF4ewboQb176qp1jMFNr7x16n6WOxbBBoCj44QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[mattbta]

View attachment 366109

I bought something similar to this and a 36mm wrench. Begrudgingly, they were only going to be a one-time use tool to do a second water pump, but once I did that it was evident my heads were cracked. Then the refurbs cracked. It got used several times. Just got all the components for an e-fan conversion so hopefully only need the tools one more time!