Hello all,

back with a question. My Ranger is a 2005 4x4 with 4.0 SOHC engine. Im trying to get to my harmonic balancer which separated. Im having an awful time removing the fan clutch nut.

The FSM says I have a left hand thread and so I'm pushing clockwise to loosen. The special tools bent on me, 1 7/16" wrench + 4 lb hammer doesn't move it(one handed swing). Ran a chain to the pulley. Broke the bolt holding the chain. I've got a metal handled strap wrench and a couple chain wrenches on the way to hold this pulley better.

My question is: does anyone know if Ford may have used some heavy duty threadlocker on this nut? This is the first time this fan is being removed.

Has anyone had success with using heat on this nut? I'm a bit leery of using my torch because of the plastic fan.

Thanks for looking and appreciate the help!

 

Every one I have pulled off has been a sandy beach. I don't know if they use thread lock or not but they are tough to get off. The worst one being my 98 3.0

I ended up doing it with the belts on, I had to thread 2 slightly longer bolts through the pulley for the pulley wrench to grab onto but after that I used a 3 foot pipe on my Fan clutch nut wrench to break it lose. Hammer wouldn't move it at all for me either.

leverage is what you need

 

I don't think this is left hand thread. I know the 4.0 OHV has right hand thread, and if I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure the 4.0 SOHC is the same. Turn it counter clockwise and see what happens.

An easy way to tell if it's right hand or left hand thread is watch which direction it spins when the engine is running. In order to loosen it, you turn it in the opposite direction of how it spins. So if it spins clockwise when the engine is running, you turn it counter-clockwise to loosen it.

 

My 98 3.0 has backward threads. It was printed on the fan shroud. I left the belts on to help hold it and used a long open end wrench and whacked it with a big hammer.

 

A SOHC is normal right hand thread. If the water pump pulley is smooth then it spins opposite direction of the crank and has right hand threads. If the WP pulley is ribbed then it spins the same as the crank and has left hand threads. (this applies to everything)

 

Looking at the fan from the front of engine while running. Clockwise rotation use a left hand nut counter clockwise use a right hand nut. This is per Hayden installation manual.

 

This^^^easiest way to tell.

 

Since I was replacing everything anyway I took a cutting torch to it. Heat alone did me no good. Thought I was going to break something on the motor. Good luck.

 

The FSM had the thread direction wrong for my '91 Ranger. I discovered this when I couldn't get the nut off and looked at the fan shroud. Turned the nut the way the fan shroud said and it came off.

I'd be curious to know if they still have the wrong information in the manual after 15 years.

 

Wow thank you for all the great responses!

After reading everyone's opinions I am concerned about the info in my FSM. When I get my tools tomorrow I will definitely try turning the nut counterclockwise.

I took a couple pics of my FSM so yall could see what Im reading:


It says left hand thread plain as day.

I went out and bumped the starter on my truck. I see the crank turns clockwise (looking at it from the front of engine). This would turn the the water pump pulley counterclockwise. I can see how a clockwise thread would maintain nut tightness. I took a quick video showing the crank pulley turning if you care to watch it.http://vid1077.photobucket.com/album...psccp7iray.mp4

Thanks again! Looking forward to seeing how this goes.

 

You should be concerned. This is because, your FSM (like mine) lied, and I've personally been there to make that 'discovery'. No heat was needed to loosen the fastener, and no factory applied threadlocker was detected on the threads.

 

Regardless if it's left hand thread or not, I would apply anti-seize to the threads before re-assembling.

 

Success!

Yall were right. It's a right hand thread.

I put my chain wrench on the pulley and 1 7/16" on the nut. One hand on each wrench and it came off on the first pull.

Thank you all again for taking the time and offering your help. It might have turned out really bad for me it you hadn't.

As far as the Factory Manual goes, I will definitely be making a pen and ink change. I just hope they fixed it for later year ranger manuals. It is a bummer though. I bought this manual to hopefully avoid misinformation or lack of procedures. Even aviation manuals are constantly being updated though.

I will absolutely be putting antiseize on this nut!

 

I would go to or call the nearest parts store that stocked a replacement item and ask to see one. That would tell the actual direction. If all else fails.


If you are trying the wrong direction you may be even tightening it more. Which in turn would be making it harder to remove...