. I checked the FSM but it was very vague and pretty much only said to do it. I've got the aux fan in (more on that later) so it's no big deal, but I bought a new one and I'd like to get it in, with the minimum of trouble.
How do you replace the fan clutch?
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Mike W.
- Posts: 419
- Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:59 pm
- Car: 2003 Infiniti QX4 with a drinking problem. Gone but not forgotten
2002 BMW 525it
2002 BMW 530i/ manual trans
The dark side, 2008 4Runner.. We'll see. - Location: California Whine Country
How do you replace the fan clutch?
I'm sure it's in here somewhere but I searched and searched and I can't find it. How do you replace the fan clutch? Pull the shroud only? Please tell me I don't have to pull the radiator . I checked the FSM but it was very vague and pretty much only said to do it. I've got the aux fan in (more on that later) so it's no big deal, but I bought a new one and I'd like to get it in, with the minimum of trouble.
. I checked the FSM but it was very vague and pretty much only said to do it. I've got the aux fan in (more on that later) so it's no big deal, but I bought a new one and I'd like to get it in, with the minimum of trouble.-
pathfinder2001_green
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 1:57 pm
- Car: 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE, Auto
Re: How do you replace the fan clutch?
1. Drain the radiator just enough so you can remove the upper radiator hose
2. Remove upper radiator hose
3. Remove top of fan shroud
4. Remove 4 bolts holding clutch to bearing bracket (I'd consider also replacing the bearing bracket as I replaced the clutch thinking it was making a God awful noise during engine revving, now we think it is the bearing bracket).
5. Remove Fan clutch
6. Remove fan from old clutch (big bench vice and some aerokroil helped)
7. Install fan on new clutch and torque accordingly
8. Reinstall
I did not have to remove any tension from the serpentine belt.
2. Remove upper radiator hose
3. Remove top of fan shroud
4. Remove 4 bolts holding clutch to bearing bracket (I'd consider also replacing the bearing bracket as I replaced the clutch thinking it was making a God awful noise during engine revving, now we think it is the bearing bracket).
5. Remove Fan clutch
6. Remove fan from old clutch (big bench vice and some aerokroil helped)
7. Install fan on new clutch and torque accordingly
8. Reinstall
I did not have to remove any tension from the serpentine belt.
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Blindaviator
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:49 pm
- Car: 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE
Re: How do you replace the fan clutch?
Actually to amend the post above he forgot a small step...
The fan shroud comes apart into 2 pieces... Get under it with a light and look at each side of the shroud... You will see several small tabs poking out on each side... Manipulate those tabs as you gently pull straight back on the sides of the shroud close to the tabs... It will separate allowing you to lift it slightly out of the grooves on the bottom... Then sit it there on top of the transmission cooler lines while you remove the upper part of the fan shroud... It is extremely difficult to remove that bottom part without disconnecting the trans lines and it will be fine just sitting there while you replace the fan clutch...
The fan shroud comes apart into 2 pieces... Get under it with a light and look at each side of the shroud... You will see several small tabs poking out on each side... Manipulate those tabs as you gently pull straight back on the sides of the shroud close to the tabs... It will separate allowing you to lift it slightly out of the grooves on the bottom... Then sit it there on top of the transmission cooler lines while you remove the upper part of the fan shroud... It is extremely difficult to remove that bottom part without disconnecting the trans lines and it will be fine just sitting there while you replace the fan clutch...
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Mike W.
- Posts: 419
- Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:59 pm
- Car: 2003 Infiniti QX4 with a drinking problem. Gone but not forgotten
2002 BMW 525it
2002 BMW 530i/ manual trans
The dark side, 2008 4Runner.. We'll see. - Location: California Whine Country
Re: How do you replace the fan clutch?
Hmmm, ok, that makes more sense. I've been looking at it from the top and it looks like one piece.
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atraudes
- Posts: 1106
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:46 pm
- Car: 2001.5 Infiniti QX4 4WD
- Location: Sammamish, WA
Re: How do you replace the fan clutch?
FWIW, I can vouch that it's possible to remove the fan just by removing that small panel on the bottom of the shroud. It's an awkward fit and you'll want to avoid touching the radiator. Removing the fan is the hard part.
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Mike W.
- Posts: 419
- Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:59 pm
- Car: 2003 Infiniti QX4 with a drinking problem. Gone but not forgotten
2002 BMW 525it
2002 BMW 530i/ manual trans
The dark side, 2008 4Runner.. We'll see. - Location: California Whine Country
Re: How do you replace the fan clutch?
Did it from the bottom, much easier than the top since most of the work would be necessary anyway, plus more. Maybe the old one was toast, I'm getting a distinct whirrrrr at startup now I didn't have before. New one, GMB, whose parts I've used in the past with good success was about 2/3 the size and half the weight of the original, but a match for fitment. I've seen bad fan clutches before and it wasn't in the definitely bad category, but might have been weak. Oh well, new fan clutch, new to me new auxiliary fan, I should be good to go for the desert next year on vacation. So I'm planning north to Yellowstone.
