E34 Fan & Shroud Procedure
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Fan & shroud removal
Remove rivet at each top corner of fan shroud. Pry out rivet center pin (tack lifter), then fully pry out rivet from base (tack lifter).
Remove fan, belt static friction method.
Remove fan / fan clutch from water pump shaft.
First, place an open wrench on the fan clutch nut (32mm combo wrench). After that, position the wrench forward on the nut to avoid hitting the VANOS body and radiator hose clamps. Then, strongly strike the side of the wrench at the top with a heavy hammer (such as a sledgehammer) to break the nut seize. Remember, it has a left-hand thread.
thus unscrew by hitting wrench top from left to right (car front orientation). Serpentine belt static friction on water pump pulley facilitates large enough opposing force to break nut seize. It is important to use a heavy hammer to produce a high instantaneous jerk. Several attempts will be needed before nut seize breaks. Rotate open wrench to reposition for better access.
If belt static friction method is not successful, attempt pulley holding tool method.
Remove fan, pulley holding tool method.
Remove fan / fan clutch from water pump shaft.
First, position the water pump pulley to allow access for the holding tool. Next, note that the water pump pulley has two adjacent pairs of mounting bolts. Then, align one of the bolt pairs so that the left bolt is positioned just to the right of the top center (as shown in the picture). Finally, use a 32mm combo wrench to proceed with the next step.
First, install the water pump pulley holding tool onto the pulley bolts. Then, position the holding tool on the right and place its indent curve against the fan clutch nut. Next, mount the tool’s end hole onto the bottom left pulley bolt and the second hole onto the right pulley bolt. If needed, reposition the fan clutch nut for better access (as shown in the picture).
After that, place an open wrench on the fan clutch nut (32mm combo wrench). While holding the tool firmly, counter-hold it and break the clutch nut’s seize using the 32mm combo wrench. Remember, the clutch nut has a left-hand thread, so turn it clockwise to loosen.
Note: Nut is left hand thread, thus unscrew by turning wrench from left to right (car front orientation).
If fan clutch nut seize difficult to break, apply lubricant to nut/threads contact surfaces (spray lubricant).
Once nut seize is broken, remove tools and spin fan blades to unscrew nut; left hand thread.
When nut is close to shaft end, turn fan slowly while continuously holding fan blades. This will keep fan from falling and damaging radiator fins when fully disconnected.
Lift fan shroud up while maneuvering fan / fan clutch out of fan shroud and engine bay.
Remove fan shroud from engine bay.
First, install the fan shroud by tilting the right side up. Then, carefully slide the shroud into position. Next, align the shroud by pulling it up, moving it forward, and then dropping it into place. Ensure that it sits securely and aligns properly with the frame.
Insert fan/clutch in fan shroud. Lift fan shroud up and forward while maneuvering fan/clutch into fan shroud.
Note: Fan is oriented with clutch nut to car rear.
Align shroud by pulling up, forward, and dropping down into lower frame slots.
First, mount the fan and clutch onto the water pump shaft. Next, lift the fan and carefully mate (or hang) the fan clutch nut onto the water pump shaft. Then, rotate the fan to find the best alignment where the nut thread and shaft thread match. At this point, the fan should hang on the shaft without threading (as shown in the picture).
Once the fan is hanging independently, slowly turn the fan blades to thread the nut onto the shaft. Since it has a left-hand thread, turn the nut counterclockwise to tighten. Finally, fully thread the nut onto the shaft to secure it in place.
First, place an open wrench on the fan clutch nut (32mm combo wrench). Then, use a heavy hammer to lightly hit the top of the wrench one time. Since the clutch nut has a left-hand thread, make sure to strike in the correct direction (counterclockwise to tighten).
Note: The static friction from the serpentine belt on the water pump pulley provides enough opposing force to effectively tighten the clutch nut without additional tools. Fan opposing spin also tightens fan clutch nut.
Finally, fully install the fan shroud. To do this, lift the fan shroud up, pull it forward, and drop it down to mount into the lower frame slots.
Note: The fan shroud should insert fully and align with the car frame.
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Install rivet at each top corner of fan shroud. Pry rivet center pin out, fully insert rivet base into shroud, then press in rivet center pin.
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