How do you replace clutch fan on a 96 Chevrolet blazer?

Answer 1

I replaced the fan clutch on my 1996 GMC Sierra, half ton pickup, 5.7 liter engine and it was easy. I had a large adjustable wrench and when opened all of the way it just went on the easy to spot nut that holds the fan clutch assembly in position on the waterpump. I left the serpentine belt in position to keep tension on the pulley and then placed the wrench on the nut and gave it 4 or 5 blows with a hammer which loosened it up nicely. I loosed the nut in the direction that most nuts loosen, left is loose, right is tight so I whacked it left. Then it was simple to unscrew, even turned the fan to the left and it unscrewed quickly and I caught it in my hand then pulled it up and out with the fan blades still attached. There was barely enough room but the fan clutch and the connected fan blades came out nice. I then used a half inch socket to remove the 4 bolts and replaced them along with the fan on the new fan clutch. Easy simple job. If you do not have a wrench for the correct size, you could use a big jawed vice grip to do the same, just don't lock down the jaws with any great amount of pressure, don't pinch the nut because that would keep it tight. Also you could use a large flatbladed screwdriver or any piece of metal that has a chisel point to whack the nut in the turn off direction which again is to the left. When replacing the nut, tighten it firmly then whack the nut in the tightening direction with the chisel pointed metal which is to the right. The nut does not have to be real tight but of course not loose either. An easy job really.