Fan Clutch Removal 4.0L

[coopab]

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.

 

[RonD]

Yes, my '94 4.0l fan clutch is the "normal" lefty loosy, righty tighty

In general if you start the engine then shut it off and look at the fan blade which ever way it is spinning is the direction to loosen it.

Threads are done that way so a loose nut would tend to tighten itself from torque vs loosen itself, so watch the blade and you will never be in doubt

 

[adsm08]

Also, I use the air chisel on the corners of the nuts all the time, and unless I am going the wrong way I have yet to do significant damage to one. You just have to not be a moron about it.

 

[Doofy]

Dead-blow hammers are very handy but the heavy rubber mallet provides greater shock with less risk of collateral damage.

 

[firenexx]

Back when I did this, I had to replace the water pump and the fan clutch. The nut was insanely tight and I didn't have an air chisel.
So I took off the entire water pump, pulley, clutch, fan assembly.
I got a really wide grinding wheel (a bunch of them, actually) and spent about 2 hours cutting the pump off so then I could take the fan off of the clutch (the only part I needed to re-use.)

:facepalm:

 

[notaprob]

I had trouble replacing my water pump also. However, I was able to take the water pump off with the fan still attached and I used the bench to hold it in place while I took it apart.

 

[Destroyer000]

fan clutch tool? basically need to make 2 pieces of flat bar with a notch to hook on the nuts and just hold them while you spin the fan off.