How do you remove the fan from the housing?

[Tidybuoy]

I have the fan, shroud, and alternator removed from the car. I was thinking that I might paint it while it's out - while working on other projects.

How do you remove the fan. I was thinking that you just remove the nut and pull but I thought I'd ask before breaking something. I don't see any nuts or bolts from the back side.

Thanks!

[tobluforu]

Help needed removing alternator from fan housing

[47silver]

Don't paint it, it will just chip and look horrible in a week

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks! I think I understand. It just needs a little jolt and the fan should slip off the alternator shaft.

I haven't decided for certain about painting but will definitely be giving it a deep cleaning.

[Discseven]

A recent post for you concerning fans & finishes Vern: Metal Preservatives Testing on Polished Cooling Fan

[Walt Fricke]

Removing the alternator is not quite the same as removing the fan. I read that post to deal with removing the alternator itself after you have removed the bolts holding it to the housing.

If you want to paint the fan, you can remove just it from the alternator shaft.

In theory, once you remove the fan pulley nut you should be able to pull the fan off of the alternator shaft with your fingers. It is locked to the shaft by a Woodruff key in the usual slots. However, it seems they are always too tight for this.

What I have found useful is to use a chatter gun - an air chisel with a flat, wide ended tool in it, so it just vibrates the end of the shaft when applied axially to the shaft where it won't damage any threads, and doesn't chisel it, while you use your other hand to put pressure on a blade pulling outward. Slides right off. Attempts, even with soft wood pieces, to drive the fan off can end up breaking a chip out of some part of the fan.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Walt Fricke

Removing the alternator is not quite the same as removing the fan. I read that post to deal with removing the alternator itself after you have removed the bolts holding it to the housing.

If you want to paint the fan, you can remove just it from the alternator shaft.

In theory, once you remove the fan pulley nut you should be able to pull the fan off of the alternator shaft with your fingers. It is locked to the shaft by a Woodruff key in the usual slots. However, it seems they are always too tight for this.

What I have found useful is to use a chatter gun - an air chisel with a flat, wide ended tool in it, so it just vibrates the end of the shaft when applied axially to the shaft where it won't damage any threads, and doesn't chisel it, while you use your other hand to put pressure on a blade pulling outward. Slides right off. Attempts, even with soft wood pieces, to drive the fan off can end up breaking a chip out of some part of the fan.

If the fan doesn't pull off easily, I may try some penetrating oil. I have used a mix of 50/50 ATF and acetone with great success.

As far as painting....I'm inclined to leave the fan alone but maybe paint the housing and only go a couple shades darker than stock. I'll have to see how the fan looks cleaned up but it's in pretty good shape now.

[dentist90]

Method I used was to loop heavy wire (coat hanger) thru opposing holes and apply tension with a puller. When I had enough tension I thought the wires were going to snap I tapped the fan hub with a plastic mallet and -'ting' - it popped off nicely. Do yourself a favour and apply antiseize to the shaft before you reinstall it

[JAR0023]

You can use a tap and thread two of the holes shown. 5 or 6mm. Not for sure off the top of my head. Threads are about half depth but plenty to use to screws and press the fan right off. Can't take credit for it. Tip I picked up in a thread here. -J

Originally Posted by dentist90

Method I used was to loop heavy wire (coat hanger) thru opposing holes and apply tension with a puller. When I had enough tension I thought the wires were going to snap I tapped the fan hub with a plastic mallet and -'ting' - it popped off nicely. Do yourself a favour and apply antiseize to the shaft before you reinstall it