What wrenches are best to change fan clutch?

NapaBavarian · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:39 pm **Posts:** 129

I've cussed enough in the past trying to change fan clutches, I only seem to do it once a decade but still, the proper tools will be worth it, I ordered the HD gm clutch, does anyone know what sizes the big center nut and stud are? I'll probably buy an all inclusive kit, I'd like to get the right sizes the first time.

Thank you in advance.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Sat Jul 08, 2017 4:52 pm

I just used an adjustable pipe wrench and extended it with my floor jack handle.

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jws84_02 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:06 pm

I use a 1/2" drive 13mm socket to "lock" it and then a bigger crescent wrench and if need be put a cheater pipe on it

NapaBavarian · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:39 pm **Posts:** 129

I wanted to get something like this so I can reduce blood on the belts

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07197ZJ ... ref=plSrch

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 08, 2017 7:45 pm

It's a 36mm wrench.

I use this at work........................

Use in a air hammer,makes it a breeze to loosen and tighten fan clutches.

bugnout · **Posted:** Sat Jul 08, 2017 8:16 pm

toolplanet.com - 1 7/16 box/open ended wrench 9.99, free shipping on orders over $89

NapaBavarian · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:39 pm **Posts:** 129

tjkj2002 wrote:

It's a 36mm wrench.

I use this at work........................

Use in a air hammer,makes it a breeze to loosen and tighten fan clutches.

Air hammer ... I was trying to figure out how those worked when I saw them, that could be worth the ~$125 pricetag right there.

NapaBavarian · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:39 pm **Posts:** 129

bugnout wrote:

toolplanet.com - 1 7/16 box/open ended wrench 9.99, free shipping on orders over $89

Thanks for the sae size, I could probably get a whole set from the infamous Chinese tool shop, last week I picked up an 11 piece set of long handle wrenches for $20.xx including tax but they only go to 26mm, a single craftsman 24mm standard length was $16. It's a little tough to buy an American brand made in china for more money.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Jul 08, 2017 9:36 pm

I simply use a large adjustable wrench and tap it on the end with large hammer a couple of times. Works like a charm for me!
Used this method on a lot of clutch fans over the years!!! :wink:

NapaBavarian · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:39 pm **Posts:** 129

WWDiesel wrote:

I simply use a large adjustable wrench and tap it on the end with large hammer a couple of times. Works like a charm for me!
Used this method on a lot of clutch fans over the years!!! :wink:

Perhaps my wrenches aren't big enough? As I recall it always seemed to be a fight, a Crescent wrench (I only use the name brand here do to non parallel surfaces on off brand wrenches) large enough to get leverage leverage seem to be too wide at the business end to fit easily on the vehicles I was repairing.

TKB4 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:51 am

I have seen previous posts where NAPA has a reasonably priced fan clutch wrench that fits but I just use a big crescent wrench. Mine is a 15 inch wrench that opens to 1 and 13/16 inch. This one is 15 inch Olympia 375mm and pretty sure I got it at Harbor Freight. You may need to spray with PB blaster or tap hand with hammer I made extension to use with the wrench from 1 1/4 inch galvanized conduit and flattened one end for about 3 inches to fit over the handle snuggly to use on this and other things. Still need to use the 13mm socket on the hidden fan pulley bolt to hold it still.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sun Jul 09, 2017 1:58 pm

I use an air hammer with a chisel tip. Fast and easy.

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ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sun Jul 09, 2017 2:05 pm

ebbnflow wrote:

I use an air hammer with a chisel tip. Fast and easy.

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https://youtu.be/8RAPLHMuXZo

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Dent · **Joined:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:05 pm **Posts:** 275

If you don't have the air wrench, a 13 mm socket can pass through the pulley and go onto a water pump bolt. That will hold everything from rotating. See Sir Sam's timing belt change videos (COrobotchicken on youtube) and you'll see what I mean.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:12 pm

ebbnflow wrote:

I use an air hammer with a chisel tip. Fast and easy.

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I can't tell you how many customers have DIY that trick and then get towed in and require and new water pump and fan clutch because they deformed that nut making it impossible to remove the fan clutch.

I would not recommend this way by any means.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:19 pm

I think the fan clutch is something like an inch and a half. Ayear and a half later the clutch is still on regardless of not using the ridiculous "special" wrench.

NapaBavarian · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:39 pm **Posts:** 129

The pneumatic hammer wrenches should arrive Wednesday and the new fan clutch is in the back seat, waiting on my 11 blade GM fan. $120 was a little tough for 1 fan, never fighting a fan clutch again, priceless.

I watched a couple YouTube videos and they look much beefier than still photos, we will see how they turn out.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2017 12:20 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

ebbnflow wrote:

I use an air hammer with a chisel tip. Fast and easy.

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I can't tell you how many customers have DIY that trick and then get towed in and require and new water pump and fan clutch because they deformed that nut making it impossible to remove the fan clutch.

I would not recommend this way by any means.

Your customers must not be very smart. I've used this method on all my vehicles for several years and never had a problem. To each their own......

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What wrenches are best to change fan clutch?

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