Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Rearanger
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,429
- Reaction score
- 23
- Points
- 38
- Location
- Southeast USA
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
Tackled removing the clutch, fan and shroud this weekend. Found out the clutch center bolt is left hand thread and needs to be turned CW for removal. That little gem of info was not stated in FSM but buried in one line of Haynes manual. Apparently the 4.0L and 2.5L are CCW removal.
Earl43P is right that heat is necessary to break the nut loose - at least the first time. Used a strap wrench and helper to hold the pulley while I attempted with 7/8" wrench and pipe extender. I found using a hammer on the wrench useless as all the energy from the blow is absorbed by the strap wrench flex. I don't think leaving the serpentine belt on would provide enough resistance to turning.
I used a small acetylene torch to apply the heat with some galvanized sheet for a heat shield to protect the plastic fan. Using propane, which is certainly more available to DIYr's, may not get the nut hot enough, fast enough. The longer the heat is applied the more chance of heat damage.
After breaking it loose removal is a snap. I made a pulley holding tool while I had the pulley off and will try it out and post back. But for most without the proper tools AND the not being able to remove the clutch, fan and shroud, a tool is not possible.
Earl43P is right that heat is necessary to break the nut loose - at least the first time. Used a strap wrench and helper to hold the pulley while I attempted with 7/8" wrench and pipe extender. I found using a hammer on the wrench useless as all the energy from the blow is absorbed by the strap wrench flex. I don't think leaving the serpentine belt on would provide enough resistance to turning.
I used a small acetylene torch to apply the heat with some galvanized sheet for a heat shield to protect the plastic fan. Using propane, which is certainly more available to DIYr's, may not get the nut hot enough, fast enough. The longer the heat is applied the more chance of heat damage.
After breaking it loose removal is a snap. I made a pulley holding tool while I had the pulley off and will try it out and post back. But for most without the proper tools AND the not being able to remove the clutch, fan and shroud, a tool is not possible.
