Fan tool dimensions - Help

Hi,

I'm helping a friend do his wp. I have manual E46's so this tool is not in my arsenal.

I have a 32mm wrench that fits the nut fine - just need the tool to hold the wp 10mm bolts.

Won't be able to pick one up anywhere around here and delivery will take a week so I'll make one out of 3/16" thick 2"x 14" plate steel. Just need the dimensions if someone doesn't mind measuring the one they have.

I figure the holes are around 11mm in diameter (or enough to clear the heads of the bolts) but don't know the distance between the two.

Thanks

use a long screwdriver. I do have the tool on order from amazon. It should arrive Monday or Tuesday. I have a set of calipers too so I'll make a post on it so people can fabricate it.

There's two different sets of dimensions because those bolts are staggered, two pairs on the waterpump pulley. l'm out shopping with the wife currently, i'l you those specs once i get home.

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The tool itself is 16" long and measures 1 1/4" across. The top hole (circular) is located 3/8" from the bottom of the tool , the hole center is 5/8" from the start of the tool bottom) and the hole itself is 1/2" in diameter. The enlongated hole starts 1 1/4" from the bottom of the circular hole, is 1" long and 1/2" deep. The cutout starts 1/2' from bottom of the tool, is approximatley 1 1/2" long and almost a true semi circle that comes in to about mid way across the tool width and then starts back out ending up about 3/8" below start of the enlogated hole.

Originally Posted by cityjohn

The tool itself is 16" long and measures 1 1/4" across. The top hole (circular) is located 3/8" from the bottom of the tool , the hole center is 5/8" from the start of the tool bottom) and the hole itself is 1/2" in diameter. The enlongated hole starts 1 1/4" from the bottom of the circular hole, is 1" long and 1/2" deep. The cutout starts 1/2' from bottom of the tool, is approximatley 1 1/2" long and almost a true semi circle that comes in to about mid way across the tool width and then starts back out ending up about 3/8" below start of the enlogated hole.

Thanks - Much appreciated

To the prior poster - thanks - yep I knew the holes were not squared when I put the wp pulley back on my own 330 last year (recangular points). I think that's the reason for a two ended tool with the elongated hole.

If you have a big screwdriver or something strong enough to press down on the bolt while you take a quick smack with the hammer onto the 32mm wrench to initially loosen nut; it has worked for me for years. Obviously you know it is a reverse threaded.

Now I did just figure out something so funny and yet so effective when it was time to put the fan back on. This has always been my nightmare part I dreaded dealing with the fan. I have even had my girlfriend help with me because she had small hands but still this was a royal pain for me.

I unlaced my sneaker and used my shoe string and carefully wrapped the nut with the shoe string. Carefully lowered the fan and shroud down into position. With one hand held the fan in position by holding a blade(my fat hands) and put pressure inward on the nut. Then I used the other hand and slowly at first pulled straight up on the shoe string. It was just like spinning a top it; in about 3-5 seconds it was over half way threaded onto the bolt!!!

I can not tell you how much I had dreaded re-installing the fan/this has made it so so simple for me. Then I tighten with 32mm wrench then do the same thing(in reverse) to tighten the bolt.

I had to do this again about a week ago to swap my alternator--you can use a thin strap(once you loosen nut) and wrap it on the nut kind of like you would if you had a string on a piece of wood and you are trying to start a fire by twisting it. This saves the 30-50 times you have to pull 32mm wrench out and put back in to loosen with quarter turns.

I think with the tool to hold the nuts it will make it even easier process to tighten/loosen nut.

Originally Posted by love2drive330CI

I unlaced my sneaker and used my shoe string and carefully wrapped the nut with the shoe string. Carefully lowered the fan and shroud down into position. With one hand held the fan in position by holding a blade(my fat hands) and put pressure inward on the nut. Then I used the other hand and slowly at first pulled straight up on the shoe string. It was just like spinning a top it; in about 3-5 seconds it was over half way threaded onto the bolt!!!

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I was just killing myself trying to get my fan back on so I took a break and found this post. Went out to the garage and it worked on the first try. I think everyone should know about this trick. Thanks a billion!