E34 M50 engine fan clutch removal (DIY)

[ktteoh]

folks, i'm planning a diy on the fan clutch replacement. i have a 32mm wrench.

what i'm struggling with is the safest way to hold the water pump pulley - i know it has 4 10mm hex nuts - could i use 1 10mm wrench to grip one of the nuts to hold the pulley still while i turn the 32mm wrench clockwise to loosen the fan nut?

i know there is supposed to be a water pump pulley "hold" tool but i don't have it - is there a design template which i can machine off a steel ruler?

[Evan]

632 Regal made his own tool.. you can make one too.

You can also use a 10mm socket to hold the pulley in place. There shouldn't be a lot of torque on the fan nut. Remember that it's left threaded so turn it as if you were tightening the nut onto the water pump to remove the fan.

[632 Regal]

http://www.bimmer.info/%7Eregal632/Fan%20removal%20tool.jpg

[ktteoh]

regal, can you share the schematic plan for making this? something that a machine shop fellow can use.


http://www.bimmer.info/%7Eregal632/Fan%20removal%20tool.jpg

[632 Regal]

basicly I drilled a hole, lined it up with the bolts on the pully and ground stuff from that point until it fit good...no schems.


regal, can you share the schematic plan for making this? something that a machine shop fellow can use.

[rob101]

leave the belt on and use a hammer to loosen it, couple of blows it will come loose.

[Chris'91'525i]

leave the belt on and use a hammer to loosen it, couple of blows it will come loose.

Yep thats the ticket !
I used one of those big shot filled "dead blow" hammers. Worked like a charm. First whack and it came loose.
BTW: a 1 1/4" wrench works too, fits nice and snuggly...