water pump replacemet

[csyoung]

Can anyone help me in the removal of the fan on a 99 Durango. I have the 36mm wrench but the water pump has a pressed hub (no bolts to tension against).

[zxi1100]

I used a pair of channel locks on the lip off the hub it gave me enough grip to take the fan off, and did not cause any damage. My water pump went out and then my fan clutch 48,000 on a 00 durnago.

[Wrycque]

There are four holes in the water pump pully intended to be used with a holder of some sort. This allows you to hold the pulley and turn the big nut in order to be able to get the fan clutch off. You know, a new water pump comes with a new water pump pulley, so if you had to put a large pair of pliars there to grip it on the outside you'd be ok because of the new one.

[andefire]

Channel locks - amazing answer! Now do I have any that are long enough....I need good leverage, I'm 5'6 and weigh 135. I was fighting this very thing last night and posted to ask about it. Glad I found this post. So why are there four holes in the new water pump pulley? If there is clearance, do you think it would be a good idea to put on bolts to use for tension next time? What am I saying, I am at 113,000 k, there won't be a next time.

I will try this either tonight if I get out of class early enough, or tomorrow night after work. I'll post my results. Wish me luck.
Ande

[t-bank]

Take a look at my reply to the water pump nipple question. I think this method will work OK for you.

[cousincletus]

I'm pretty sure the big nut is a left hand thread.

[HemiGottaLuvIt]

The nut is left-hand (CCW) removal for gasoline engines and the opposite for diesel (if applicable).

There's a company called Schley that makes a speciality wrench named a Chrysler Water Pump/Fan clutch puller holder. Check out etoolcart.com or factory direct for SP99800. They also sell to Snap-on and Matco tools if you need it quicker.

I didn't have the $70+ to use the tool above. So, I dropped a whopping six-bucks to buy not one, but two, nice quality strap wrenches. Just wrap the 1-inch thick rubber strap around the water-pump pulley and through the tool. Then apply counter-torque (force-couple for you engineers) to break your 36mm (1 7/16) fan clutch nut.

Try it, you'll like the results!

My two cents

[acoelho00]

That idea is better than mine but hey what can i say they both will work.

[Brandonman38]

when i did mine i got so fed up after like 2 hours trying to get it off i drilled a hole through the pully and straight through the pump (the pump is aluminum)bolted them together and the nut came right off no prob