Fan belt nut seized??

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jafi
United States of America
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Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2017 10:51 pm
Location: Montana

Fan belt nut seized??

Post by jafi »

Hello all,
So, I decide to change my fan belt as the current one looks very rough. I cannot get the fan nut to budge! Even resorted to the 1/2" impact...no luck.
I have of course already applied some lube in an effort to get the nut to break loose.
Before I get medieval on this I would very much appreciate suggestions.
Thanks much!
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rmel
United States of America
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Location: Woodside, CA
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Re: Fan belt nut seized??

Post by rmel »

In spit of the direction of the fan, this is a Right-Hand thread. I presume
you are unscrewing this in the left hand direction -- normal direction.
You may also want to invest in the fan locker tool, if you don't have that get
one and keep it in your Truck tool box.. Fits in two holes on the fan housing
to secure it while removing the nut. If your doing all this and it still don't budge
someone must have done some serious over-torquing of this nut :?
Puller: 71' 710K 2.7L EFI aka Mozo
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK

Driver: Ron // KO0Q
jafi
United States of America
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2017 10:51 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Fan belt nut seized??

Post by jafi »

Unfortunately, yes I am using the tool and yes I am turning the nut in the correct direction. I was shocked at how tight it is. I am not sure whether it is over torqued or seized as there is little sign of corrosion. That is not uncommon though if its rusted/corroded on the threads...
63rover
Canada
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Location: Mt. Hope, Ont., Canada

Re: Fan belt nut seized??

Post by 63rover »

Try a 50/50 mix of acetone and transmission fluid as penetrating oil. It's a not so secret recipe.

A friendly garage with an induction heater may be necessary. If all else fails a small chisel will either drive it off or cut it off. You may want to buy a spare before this.

Good luck.

Cheers, Clive
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rmel
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Location: Woodside, CA
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Re: Fan belt nut seized??

Post by rmel »

Unfortunately the design of that nut prevents getting any penetrating oil on the threads.
Might want to try applying some localized heat to the nut itself but not so much that the
fiberglass blades get too hot. Heat is your friend on ceased/corroded fasteners. An old
mechanics trick is to also apply paraffin (candle wax) right at the seam of a heated joint
as the heat will result in capillary action drawing the wax into that joint and may provide
some lub. I have used that trick several times and it's pretty effective.

Good luck.
Puller: 71' 710K 2.7L EFI aka Mozo
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK

Driver: Ron // KO0Q
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Jimm391730
United States of America
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Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:58 pm
Location: Idyllwild, CA

Re: Fan belt nut seized??

Post by Jimm391730 »

Be VERY careful using heat near the fan; a replacement fan is almost $500!!! Unless you feel the need to purchase a new fan, do as little as possible to hurt the one you have; be that hurt thermal, mechanical, or chemical. It spins almost twice the engine speed and IMHO is stressed closer to its failure point than I would prefer. FYI, my son missed a shift when he was learning to drive stick and grenaded every fan blade from the hub!
Jim M.
712W and 710M
pinzinator
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Re: Fan belt nut seized??

Post by pinzinator »

Cut the belt off and grab the shaft with a vice grips, if possible. The washers may allow room for that. Then hit it with an impact wrench.
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