Need Help on Fan Holddown Strap Removal

[autobonrun]

I decided to detail my fan and housing. Got the fan off and polished. Got the fan housing with alternator out (finally). Can the hold down strap be removed? It looks like it goes through part of the actual engine body. I tried pulling it through the openings and the ends are too large. What gives? Am I going to have to polish it in the car?

[Early_S_Man]

Yes, it comes out, and NO, the ends aren't too big!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

But getting it out is a bear. You have to essentially unbend part of it as you reach the point where it's close to coming out. Ant when you paint it, as I did mine, it's a real pia getting it back in without scarring the paint. Some scarring is inevitable, but you try to keep it down where it'll be hidden. Dont' know how much of a factor the scar/scratch potential will be if you polish it. Of course, it isn't going to polish up all that well anyway--it's just a piece of steel.

Stephan