How to Remove the Clutch Fan in a Dodge Dakota
by Russell Wood
The engine driven fan on the front of a Dodge Dakota has a clutch on it to control the speed at which it moves. This clutch spins the fan in proportion to the speed of the engine. When the clutch goes out, the fan spins directly with the engine and is not controlled by speed anymore, and cooling by the fan becomes less efficient. Replacing the clutch starts with removing it, which should take about 15 minutes to do.
Step 1
Pop the hood. Unbolt the fan shroud from the core support using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Move it out of the way so you can access the fan.
Step 2
Set the pry bar on the water pump pulley, just behind the engine fan. Set the pry bar between two of the bolts on the pulley to hold it steady and stop it from turning. Attempt to turn the fan by hand to make sure the pry bar is holding the pump steady.
Step 3
Remove the hex-head bolt behind the fan using an open-end wrench. Turn it off of the pulley, then lift the fan and clutch out of the engine. Unbolt the fan from the clutch using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.
Things You'll Need
- 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
- 36-inch pry bar
- Open-end wrench set
Writer Bio
Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work.
