Good evening everyone. My 2005 ranger w/ 3.0L water pump sprung a leak and I need to pull cooling fan and clutch off to get to it. The fan and clutch are threaded into the water pump pulley and are removed by turning the hex on the shaft (a very tight squeeze so need long handled wrench). I took my complete standard open end wrench set and tried every one, none fit. Assuming it's metric I tried my complete metric set of wrenches. Here is where it gets a little crazy. None of the metric sizes fit correctly either. The size of the hex is in between 21mm and 22mm and I don't ever recall seeing a 21.5 mm open end wrench before in my life. The only standard wrench fractional size in between 21-22mm is 27/32" another wrench size me nor anyone I know heard of. What could possibly be the deal here? Friends and neighbors suggested pipe wrenches, air hammers with chisels and also getting the special wrench that this truck obviously needs. After scouring the internet I found several fan clutch removal spanners that are supposed to work on this 2005 Ford 3.0 V-6 but they clearly state the spanner in the kit they offer is 35mm. ???. That's to big! I explained the situation to my neighbor and he called his retired mechanic buddy and his response was this particular truck had a set of tools you could buy at one time that was vehicle specific. There are a few tools in the kit because there are a few fasteners on this truck that are as big a pain in the.. Would anyone have had experience on this model ranger that heard of anything like this?? I'm lost. I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Have a great night.

 

I used an adjustable pipe wrench on mine. The wrench I have is meant for larger sizes like 20mm and above, so it worked perfect. You just have to find a way to keep the pulley from spinning (leaving the belt on did NOT work for me). I ended up putting a grade 8 bolt through one of the bolt holes for the pulley and used that to hold it in place. Also remember that the fan clutch is reverse thread.

 

The 3.0l can be an oddball, it is for sure 22mm, but 7/8" will work
Nut may be damaged by previous attempts to remove it, the wrong way, lol

It is opposite thread, so turn it to the RIGHT to loosen it, should be a label on rad support, or fan shroud, stating that

Just a general rule, if water pump pulley is smooth then threads are "regular"(lefty loosey, righty tighty), if pulley has ribs then its opposite thread

 

Thanks for you input. I might end up using a pipe wrench.

 

I appreciate your input. I bought this truck 1 year old in 2006 with 20k miles and with me as the only driver it now has 247k miles. I've never had a mechanical issue(other than routine maintenance) with this truck until now with the water pump. It's really never let me down until now. Someone might have had to pull the cooling fan on this truck for some reason before I had it but I think that would be unlikely. With a flashlight you can clearly see the flats and points on the hex and don't appear to be buggered up at all. As loose as the 22mm wrench fit I would fear it would slip. I'm aware of the left hand threads. I think the 2005 ranger XLT 3.0 is an oddball.

 

SAE.....Metric.....Inch
..........21mm....0.827
27/32" ............ 0.844
..........22mm....0.866
7/8"................ 0.875

I have never come across a 27/32" wrench, but I am sure some one makes one, but odd that Ford would spec that size nut vs 21mm or 22mm

 

It's right in between 21-22mm. I searched for a 27/32 wrench and came back empty. It is strange indeed. The only thing I could think of is the left hand thread on the fan. Nowhere on the radiator shroud or any where on this truck is there a warning about the left hand on the fan like other rangers. Could it be Ford didn't want just anyone slapping a wrench on it and twisting it off? Just a guess. I was told Ford made a wrench just for this trucks fan on the wrench is stamped " 2005 Ranger 3,0 only". Maybe it's stamped "left hand thread" also. This has really been a frustrating job. I've changed a few water pumps in my time but not like this. If anyone can find a wrench I would really appreciate it. Thanks for your reply.

 

3.0l Vulcan was the only Ranger with left hand thread fan clutch as far as I know

Haven't done a 2.3l Duratec through

 

I've seen other rangers with 3.0 from different years that has "left Hand Thread" molded into the top of the fan shroud. This 2005 has no warning. I was just trying to figure out why on Gods green earth would they use such an odd nut size on this model?

 

Here is a close up of the hex on the fan clutch. I was able to squeeze my hand in there sideways and actually feel the smooth flats and the points on the hex. I don't believe a wrench has been on this thing unless it was a good fitting wrench.

 

I've used an adjustable wrench frequently to take them off. I have also found that not all wrenches are sized the same between brands. Most notable between cheap stuff compared to the higher end tools like Craftsman and Snap-On.

 

Yes I'm aware. It's the nut size.

 

I used an adjustable wrench with a large pipe wrench on the pully. It did dig in on the pulley a little but after it was all off I just filed it smooth and you can barely even notice it now.

 

Did you get a new fan clutch?
Just curious if it also had the "in between" size nut

 

No just replacing water pump. But I considered going to the dealer to see if they had a clutch in stock so I could put a caliper on it just to see the exact size.

 

Just take your fan clutch in and say "show me a wrench that fits"
Or a shop that sells tools and find one