[KTL]

Yes you can just remove the fan and leave the supporting ring/housing in place. Remove the pulley and belt as you normally would. What you're left with is the fan on the shaft. The fan is keyed in place with a woodruff key (looks like a small metal pellet or tic tac) so you have to firmly grab the fan and patiently wiggle it off the shaft. It takes a while to wiggle free because the fan hub and shaft fit is a precise, tight slip-fit.