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32mm wrench for fan clutch

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hancock1701

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Orange, CA
Hi guys,

I need a 32mm wrench for a fan clutch on my car. I don't want to buy the special tool because I want to use this wrench for other things if needed. It seems like the only places that offer singles now are Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon. I'm undecided between the Husky from Home Depot and Sunex from Amazon. Hopefully the heads on these will be able to fit. Does anyone know if the Sunex wrench is longer (looks long and head looks thinner in photo) than the Husky? Husky is easier to return if it doesn't fit. Sunex seems to have good reviews on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YKF4GE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-32...l-Polish-Combination-Wrench-HCW32MM/202916178
 
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TNToy

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If you can get one in there, hit the corner of the hex with an air hammer - assuming you have one and a long enough bit (or thin enough hammer body) for it to fit.

Always takes them loose.

Oh, and the fan needs to be spun in the same direction that the engine turns, in order to loosen it. ;)
 
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TNToy

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Oh, and past experience with both professionally? I'd pick the Sunex. Not bad for Taiwan tools.

You might have to grind the head thinner.
 
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firworks

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Do you have a 1-1/4" combination wrench? If it's not a real precise 1-1/4" it'd probably fit. I've used a shallow 1-1/4" socket on a 32mm oil filter canister cap.
 
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TNToy

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1.25" is 31.75mm exactly. So if it is truly a 32mm nut that won't work. You can go the other way, however.
 
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shockwave

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Can you get a vise grip (chain wrench) on without the belt and use adjustable

I have the Schley one myself for bmw
 
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Ponchoguy

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I see them on Ebay all the time. Craftsman, Allen, K-D and others all make 32mm and they are reasonable in price.
 
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gigamel

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TNToy said:
1.25" is 31.75mm exactly. So if it is truly a 32mm nut that won't work. You can go the other way, however.
Click to expand...

Yes, but the nut will be 32mm or less and by ANSI standard the wrench will be between 31.93mm and 32.18mm - so there is a good chance a 1 1/4" will work - :)
 
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APEowner

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If you can get one in there, hit the corner of the hex with an air hammer - assuming you have one and a long enough bit (or thin enough hammer body) for it to fit.
Click to expand...

As black smithy as this seems that's the technique that pretty much every tech I know uses.

Also, a standard wrench is usually too thick to work on a fan nut.
 
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Ponchoguy

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APEowner said:
As black smithy as this seems that's the technique that pretty much every tech I know uses.

Also, a standard wrench is usually too thick to work on a fan nut.
Click to expand...

There's a fan clutch nut wrench that I remember is pretty reasonable to buy just about anywhere..maybe Lisle makes it?
 
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franzdom

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firworks said:
Do you have a 1-1/4" combination wrench? If it's not a real precise 1-1/4" it'd probably fit. I've used a shallow 1-1/4" socket on a 32mm oil filter canister cap.
Click to expand...

Even if it's real precise it will fit, if it's not too thick.
 
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Stuart in MN

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Since it's a fan clutch I assume you also need a wrench that's skinny. It also may be on a BMW since it's 32mm. What I use is a bicycle spanner wrench; mine is from Park Tools but a number of companies sell them, check with a local bike shop. They don't cost very much, maybe $15 or $20.
 
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tommersyip

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Originally I purchased the HF metric set to use the 32mm wrench in it for this use. It's rather thick, and in the BMW E46 the fit is tight - I really was gambling with not cracking the fan blades every time I used it. Anyways, after a few close calls, I ended up just buying the 32mm spanner from Koch tools. I have yet to find a need for the 32mm wrench for any other use, btw.

http://kochtools.com/index.php?p=product&id=2

Its $13 w/ free shipping. That's cheap imho.
 
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hancock1701

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It's for an E39 540i. Looks like there's more room in this one than some other models, that's why I'm hoping a normal wrench would fit. I see a lot of "BMW fan clutch tools" sold on Ebay for about $20. Should I just get that and be done with it (assume it will do the job and not break)?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
 
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firworks

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Would a 32mm crow's foot work with a snake of extensions and U-joints?
 
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Stuart in MN

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The Koch tool posted above looks okay to me. The fan clutch shouldn't be all that tight so you don't need a big heavy duty wrench - it just takes a quick yank to break it loose and then it comes off by hand (remember it has reverse threads.) When installing the new fan clutch you just snug it up, so that doesn't take much force either.

Alternately you could buy a cheap wrench at Home Depot or Harbor Freight or wherever, and grind down the faces of the wrench to make it skinnier.
 
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E46erak

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Aug 19, 2015
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Amherst, MA
hancock1701 said:
Hi guys,

I need a 32mm wrench for a fan clutch on my car. I don't want to buy the special tool because I want to use this wrench for other things if needed. It seems like the only places that offer singles now are Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon. I'm undecided between the Husky from Home Depot and Sunex from Amazon. Hopefully the heads on these will be able to fit. Does anyone know if the Sunex wrench is longer (looks long and head looks thinner in photo) than the Husky? Husky is easier to return if it doesn't fit. Sunex seems to have good reviews on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YKF4GE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-32...l-Polish-Combination-Wrench-HCW32MM/202916178
Click to expand...

I've got that 32 mm Husky and use it for the fan clutch on my 3 series, works fine.
 
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M6erfan

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I'll chime in...I bought a Craftsman 32mm combo several years ago for the same purpose. I found it too thick on an S38 engine and it barely fits in our E46. I bought the CTA brand set (forget where I got it) and never looked back...
 
T

tommersyip

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Nov 12, 2015
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hancock1701 said:
It's for an E39 540i. Looks like there's more room in this one than some other models, that's why I'm hoping a normal wrench would fit. I see a lot of "BMW fan clutch tools" sold on Ebay for about $20. Should I just get that and be done with it (assume it will do the job and not break)?
Click to expand...

I would just buy the $13 Koch tool and be done with it. If this is a new car for you, you'll quickly realize you have to pop that fan off for most engine work you have to do. Not just cooling/belt/hoses - but engine mounts, cover gasket, VANOS stuff, Oil filter housing, etc.
 
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jerseykat1

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Central New Jersey
Air hammer usually does the trick.. Some are reverse thread some are not. As TNToy pointed out pay attention to the rotation of the fan before you try to remove it. I have used 1.25" wrench successfully on bmw.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
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Fedwrench

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I'm not sure what type of vehicle you're working on but, often you need something to hold the water pump pulley while you're loosening the fan clutch with your 32mm wrench. Schley are probably the best. however, Lisle makes a nice set too.
On a side note, the air hammer works well most of the time however, make sure you know if fan clutch has left handed thread because, it's not always lefty loosey, righty tighty with fan clutches. :beer:
 
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