coopab
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2009
- Messages
- 66
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 4.0 L
- Transmission
- Automatic
I've had to search three Ford/Ranger related forums on this subject and found much misleading information, some completely wrong, other suggestions merely misguided (IMHO). My 1999 Ranger with 4.0 has the following molded into the plastic of the fan shroud. "4.0L-RH THREAD ON FAN CLUTCH". That bit of information is critical but not enough. I read suggestions that said RH Thread means loosen it by turning fan clutch nut CLOCKWISE. Not so. Clockwise is how you turn it when putting it back on the water pump.
Several people suggested variations on air hammer and air chisel applied to the clutch fan nut. It may work but unless one is planning to replace the clutch with a new one (or an electric one) I wouldn't take the chance on damaging the nut with air tools.
I rented the clutch fan removal tool kit from AutoZone. It took me two tries as the first kit I was handed had obviously been used the wrong way previously. The 36mm spanner that is applied to the clutch fan nut was spread out to 39mm. When I went back and compared it to a new set, the 3mm difference was obvious.
It took a little fiddling but once I figure out how to hold the large (58mm) squarish wrench in place I put the 36mm spanned in a position that allowed me to hit it firmly with a dead blow hammer. Impact without less danger to the clutch fan nut.
I had been completely unsuccessful in loosening the nut by my mighty arms, but a couple of well struck blows with the dead blow hammer and voilà. Now it's on to the rest of the project. water pump, timing chain and chain guides, head gaskets, etc.
Several people suggested variations on air hammer and air chisel applied to the clutch fan nut. It may work but unless one is planning to replace the clutch with a new one (or an electric one) I wouldn't take the chance on damaging the nut with air tools.
I rented the clutch fan removal tool kit from AutoZone. It took me two tries as the first kit I was handed had obviously been used the wrong way previously. The 36mm spanner that is applied to the clutch fan nut was spread out to 39mm. When I went back and compared it to a new set, the 3mm difference was obvious.
It took a little fiddling but once I figure out how to hold the large (58mm) squarish wrench in place I put the 36mm spanned in a position that allowed me to hit it firmly with a dead blow hammer. Impact without less danger to the clutch fan nut.
I had been completely unsuccessful in loosening the nut by my mighty arms, but a couple of well struck blows with the dead blow hammer and voilà. Now it's on to the rest of the project. water pump, timing chain and chain guides, head gaskets, etc.