How to: Remove a fan clutch without a fan clutch tool
 

Continuing my broke/cheap back yard shade tree mechanic series... I bring you...

How to remove a fan clutch assembly without a fan clutch tool.

Since my local auto parts stores (both of them) didn't have the chevy water pump pulley holding tool, and the extension/tap with a hammer trick didn't work to loosen the fan clutch nut, I did my usual trick of walking around the yard looking for inspiration.

This is what I came up with.

Attach the end of a tie down strap to the water pump pulley with.. you guessed it... duct tape! (EDIT: Take the serpentine belt off first. I do it by twisting the tensioner pulley upwards with a 15mm wrench going anti-clockwise on the tensioner pulley bolt).

Turn the water pump pulley to completely wrap the tie down strap around the pulley.

Hook the end of the tie down strap around the alternator bolt.

Use a crescent wrench to loosen the fan clutch bolt.

SHAZAAM! Take your fan clutch off.

To put the new fan clutch on, rinse and repeat in reverse...

Very Nice!!

Whatever works rite!

That's a good idea. I take it the remove the bolts before removing the serpentine belt technique didn't work?

i always used an air hammer with the chisel bit and just buzzed it off but this seems like a better way since you don't tear up the nut. nice work

Thanks lads, nice to have one's work appreciated! :)

Camaro - what bolts are you talking about?

Oh, I said bolts, I meant bolt.

Thanks for that bit.
A method I came up with works on the same theory as one of those "strap style" oil filter removal tools but use the serpentine belt for the strap.
Wrap the strap around the pulley and firmly grasp both sides of the serpentine belt,then,using a fairly long pry bar or tire iron or sometimes if it was handy I used a 2X2 piece of wood a couple of feet long,now is the thinking part,which side to of the belt to put the prying device on,depends on which direction the nut is going to turn for removal,once this is determined shove the device firmly against the belt and while turning the wrench allow the belt to tighten against the end of the pry bar so that it wraps tightly into the belt and then it will grip the pulley and keep it from turning while the nit is being loosened,or tightened.
This method has worked well for Me and with a little practice works as well as one of those strap style oil filter removal tools.
Try it some time.LOL

OMG!! I tried everything!! busted knuckles, 2 arguments with the ole lady, figured id give the strap a try!! Hot Dayum its off!! thank you..

Take a 1 7/16 wrench, cut off the box end, cut a notch say 2 inches down, to form a saddle so to speak, use air hammer with v chisel that sets right in that saddle-no slipoff

The original post is actually a very good idea, and I think there’s a few different ways to make it work.

I use an air hammer and clutch nut tool at work but I’ve also gotten away with a pipe wrench and mallet before. I always leave the belt on until the clutch hub is broken loose, otherwise I just end up putting it back on. :D