ls400newbs

How the hell do you remove the fan clutch? (I believe that's the right name for the part)

I'm in the process of doing the timing belt and water pump. I've been following online guides but I can't figure out how to remove this thing.

Both guides I found skip the step, which makes me feel like this is supposed to be an easy task.... I'm done lol

Does anyone know how to get it off?

I'm sooooo frustrated

aptoslexus

His advice is to give the last nut a quick rap with a rubber mallet on the wrench to impact it loose.
You might have to wedge a pry bar or something to stop the pulley from spinning.

YODAONE

Anyone recommend a SST ?

ls400newbs

No, I already took the nuts off. Now I'm stuck with taking it out. Idk if I'm supposed to pull it off, pry it off, or loosen something else. I don't wanna damage it and have to buy a new one

ls400newbs

What's an SST? And other than the Lexus specialty tool, what are my options? I already removed the bolts, now I have to pull it off or something

Einzelherz

I just left the clutch on and pulled the whole bracket later, iirc, when I did it last month.

SST = Special Service Tool.

bradland

Showing the same 4 nuts circled as aptoslexus posted. Yes, they can be a PITA! Use 2 wrenches as it will rotate with any leverage you apply. The first few aren't too bad but the last one is a real pain because the other nuts you were previously using for leverage are no longer there to help.

aptoslexus

Try some gentle persuasion with a rubber mallet. If the nuts are off the only thing holding it on is crusty age.

ls400newbs

What's the next step though? That's where I'm confused. In the guides, the clutch is removed in later pictures, but they don't say how they did it.

Do you just pull it out, by force? I tried and it wasn't giving in. I didn't want too go too far and damage it.

What's the right way? People say they're a special service tool. Is that how you did it, or did you use another method?

bradland

Have you removed the nuts highlighted in photos?

BNastee

I removed one this week that was really stuck after removing the nuts. I soaked it with penetrant then later gently, gradually tapped it off with a small hammer.

ls400newbs

I'm going to try this. Hopefully it works.

paulo57509

I've always wedge a screw driver shaft or a pry bar under the fastener/stud to hold the fan from turning.



This is just a mock up image, but you get the idea.

ls400newbs

Just wanted to give an update haha

I tried what BNastee suggested, a generous amount of pb blaster and used a Jimmy bar as well as a thousand hammer taps to loosen it. After that, it came off within 5 minutes of prying and tapping.... Damn this thing lol

Thanks everyone for guiding me. I really appreciate it! Can't wait to get to the actual installation part. I want to do so much to this car 😊

The bolt/pulley cover(?) on the right was rusting on one side. I believe that's what got it to lock up so much. Any ideas on what to do to bring it back? Wire wheel and then use a primer?

Aguilar

The bearings in my fan clutch have froze, and I have a new fan bracket to put in. There seems to a lot of things to remove in being able to remove fan bracket. I believe I have everything removed on driver side, as far as the timing cover is concerned I believe I have it all unbolted. I'm having issues removing passenger side of timing cover. It seems that I need to take out air intake that is attached to the throttle body to be able to remove timing cover and I'm not sure how to do this, or if I really need to do that in order to remove timing cover on passenger side. At this point, I'm dead in the water with this and very much need help, as I do not want to damage something. ANY information, and or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I've looked on you tube and they only show what bolts and nuts need to come off, but the timing covers are all off and do not show how to remove them in being able to remove fan bracket. I need help PLEASE!!!