Removing the fan clutch from the engine of your GM pick up (van, mini-van, or SUV) can sometimes be a frustrating challenge (I've been there). There are several tools out that are designed to make the job a little easier but that are just junk!!
In this tutorial, I'll show you the tool that finally made removing and installing fan clutches (with a single large hex nut) a breeze (removal and installation in about 5-10 minutes!).
I'm also gonna' show you where you can buy it and save quite a bit of money!
Contents of this tutorial:
What Tools Do I Need To Remove The Fan Clutch
There are quite a few tools you can use and this tutorial focuses on the Lisle LI43300 Pneumatic Fan Clutch Wrench Set.
Although this tool set is designed to be used with an air hammer, you don't need to use an pneumatic air hammer to use this fan clutch removal tool (I use a 3/8 drive deep socket and a hammer, but more about this a little later).
By the way (and in case you're wondering) you don't have to use/buy the Lisle LI43300 Fan Clutch Wrench to remove the fan clutch from your 4.3L, 5.0L, or 5.7L GM pick up (van, mini-van, or SUV).
I can recommend the Lisle LI43300 because I have used all of the fan clutch removal tools currently available and this tool is the best, not to mention the easiest one to use, thus making it a knuckle and time saver of the first order.
Here's what you'll need:
- Hammer.
- 13mm (or 1/2 inch) 3/8 drive deep socket.
- Lisle LI43300 Pneumatic Fan Clutch Wrench Set.
The absolute best place to buy the Lisle LI43300 Fan Clutch Wrench Set is online. Why? Cause it'll be a whole lot cheaper.
Yes, you can buy it at your local auto parts store (they have to order it too, so it'll take a few days to get it to you). Last time I checked (at my local AutoZone), the tool was in the neighborhood of US$190.00 and it had to be ordered too.
Removing The Fan Clutch With The Lisle LI4300 Fan Clutch Wrench
The Lisle is a very intuitive tool to use and there's nothing complicated about it.
The tool is designed to be used with an impact air hammer. Most of the time, I've used a 3/8 drive deep socket and a hammer to (instead of the pneumatic hammer), and it has worked every single time!
If you have an impact air hammer then by all means use it (instead of using a hammer and 3/8 drive deep socket), although the following instructions assume you don't have one and are using a hammer and socket.
NOTE: On some GM 4.3L, 5.0L, and 5.7L equipped vehicles (if not all of them), you'll need to remove the upper half of the plastic fan shroud before you begin the removal process.
OK, this is what you have to do:
- 1
Leave the serpentine belt on.
The serpentine belt needs to stay on to loosen the fan clutch. - 2
Choose the correct size wrench and place it on the fan clutch
The set comes with several different size wrenches, so choose the one that fits the snuggest on the fan clutch. - 3
Place the straight pneumatic extension on the wrench.
As I mentioned before, you don't need to use a pneumatic hammer (better known as an impact air hammer). If you do have one -that's great, you can skip step 4, since you can now use the impact air hammer instead of a hammer and 3/8 drive socket. - 4
Place the 3/8 drive deep socket on the end of the pneumatic extension.
The socket is used to protect the end of the pneumatic extension from the hammer blows you'll need to give it to loosen the fan clutch. - 5
With your hammer, hit the socket placed over the pneumatic extension end.
The idea here is to hammer the fan clutch tool so that it will rotate the fan clutch counter-clockwise.
The whole operation should take you less than 10 minutes. It's even faster once you get the hang of the tool.
