e39 fan clutch removal, need help

I am trying to finish my cooling system overhaul but cant seem to loosen the fan clutch off of the water pump, any suggestions???

32mm wrench and a small hammer always works wonders for me.

There are three common approachs:
1. Use the belt friction to hold the clutch while whacking the 32 mm wrench. (see the Beisan DIY)
2. Use the fan clutch holder tool (~$20) to hold it in place and a 32 mm wrench.
3. Use a screwdriver and wedge it into the clutch to hold it. (This is a cn90 trick)
I find the fan clutch tool works easiest with lowest risk of causing damage. Put a dab of anti-seize on the threads when you reassemble for easier future removal.

the screwdriver is not working and I am stuck

where is that cn90 trick?

I hate to overstate the obvious, but it is a LEFT HAND thread.

yes, that I know but it is not budging

This one takes a little bit of finese but it is a great tool. I think I paid around $20 for it.

https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...139_0282458551

Originally Posted by bimmerteck

32mm wrench and a small hammer always works wonders for me.

whack it quick and furious, like it didn't know what hit it.

Originally Posted by 16valex

whack it quick and furious, like it didn't know what hit it.

Play some Bobby Brown, Chris Brown to get you motivated

Originally Posted by 540indiana

Play some Bobby Brown, Chris Brown to get you motivated

Never heard of these guys.........

I tried for what seemed like hours to loosen mine with all sizes of screwdrivers, along with anything else I could think of, with no success. Got the fan clutch tool and it came off in seconds. Facing the car, turn the nut clockwise.

I tried for what seemed like hours to loosen mine with all sizes of screwdrivers, along with anything else I could think of, with no success. Got the fan clutch tool and it came off in seconds. Facing the car, turn the nut clockwise.

Originally Posted by 16valex

Never heard of these guys.........

???? Bobby Brown beat Whitn..... Never mind. Just google Bobby or Chris Brown and the word beating, hitting, smacking, punching etc....

Originally Posted by occhis

I tried for what seemed like hours to loosen mine with all sizes of screwdrivers, along with anything else I could think of, with no success. Got the fan clutch tool and it came off in seconds. Facing the car, turn the nut clockwise.

Where did you get your tool?

What are you using to hit the wrench?

Looks just like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-W...ht_3036wt_1165

a sledge hammer

Originally Posted by jcvara

a sledge hammer

Small hammer sir, it's all about the velocity of the swing, not the mass behind it.

- All you need to know about BMW cooling system overhaul fan clutch nut counterhold tools (1)

For example, this is me using the tool on my M54:


But, others use varying approaches:


I guess the trick is to get enough mechanical force:
\
People try all sorts of things:


But 'this' is the counterhold tool set to die for!

Originally Posted by uncmozo

I hate to overstate the obvious, but it is a LEFT HAND thread.

mine come off with a adjustable wrench...

can i make that post any larger? this is what everyone missed every time...

LEFT HANDED THREAD


means you have to tightening it

Originally Posted by jcvara

Where did you get your tool?

ZDMack has the tool for $20

http://www.zdmak.com/wbstore/main.as...at=BMW%20TOOLS

Originally Posted by Fudman

ZDMack has the tool for $20

Here's that referenced ZDMack tool, because links are ephemeral ...

Originally Posted by bimmerteck

32mm wrench and a small hammer always works wonders for me.

That has worked for me several times too. I would also add that I hold the pulley with my gloved left hand, and whack the wrench with a hammer with my right hand.

Call around for a shop that will do this for a small fee.

I had this problem in October 2 years ago. the special BMW Clutch Removal tool didn't help me ... I was about to cause some collateral damage or brake/bend a few fan clutch (water pump) bolts.

I drove the car without the cooling fan, going below the speed limit (40 mph) for 4 miles to a shop, waited for 20 minutes, and heard the mechanic working on it for ~60 seconds using some type of air tool. They charged me a cheap $20. Of course, I called them before driving there.