removing clutch fan from 5.3

[stealthy '69]

I know this is kind of the wrong thread but i figured this was the best place. My buddy has a 02(i think) gmc sierra. He's trying to remove the clutch fan and he can't figure it out. I'm trying to help over the phone since he lives in Tulsa, Ok and I'm in Omaha, Ne. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[68 short step]

if he doesnt have the "tool" that keeps the waterpump pulley stationary......what he can do is
-keep the serp. belt on
-clamp some vice-grips on the waterpump pulley.
-then rotate the fan clutch (to remove it)....the vice-grips will keep the pulley from spinning when it comes in-contact with the belt....what part of t-town?

[stealthy '69]

Cool thanks I'll let him know his options. I'm not sure if he's even gonna be removing it. He planned on putting an electic fan on it, but I think he's rethinking this. Oh by the way, he actually lives in Oakhurst, right outside of Tulsa.

[treman03]

I could never get mine off by holding it. I had to get a long bar, put it on the nut and hit it with a hammer to break it loose. Sounds bad but it didn't hurt a thing. Electric fan worked great on it also.

[LEEVON]

Don't know how I came up with this but I've changed water pumps a few times on 5.3's and I always take a double-loop of rebar tie wire, wrap it through the fan pulley then around the water pump and remove the nut. Works like a charm!

[Slammed67]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Don't know how I came up with this but I've changed water pumps a few times on 5.3's and I always take a double-loop of rebar tie wire, wrap it through the fan pulley then around the water pump and remove the nut. Works like a charm!

Thanks for the tip LEEVON. I just replaced my water pump gaskets and your trick worked like charm. However, I had use a quadruple-loop of wire because two strands kept breaking.

[truckdude239]

need a tool like this to hold pulley then the wrench for the fan bought ym set from snap on for 117 buxs come with pulley holder and 5 or 6 wrenchs for the fan clutchs

[Boog]

Having the right tool for the job is always better but not always practical for the shadetree to buy tools he may only use once. So we have to resort to improvisation. "necessity is the mother of invention" somebody once said.

[Thealien]

I took an 18 inch 1" X1/8" piece of steel I had laying around. I welded a bolt through at the end closer to one side. I place the bolt through one of the 4 holes in the pulley and use a wrench on the clutch fan hex. While turning the hex in the direction to remove the fan the flat stock will brace against the hex enough allowing you to break it free, once loose I remove the flat bar and you can remove it the rest of the way because the belt will hold the pulley enough for removal.

Worked for me anyway.

[Shon]

I just take my adjustable wrench, get it on the nut and wack with hammer. not to either side, straight down, loosens it and off it comes.

[usmcchevy]

Run to to the parts store and borrow the tool.