Help! M20 fan removal for timing belt (32mm nut)

[saturnv7890]

So I'm taking apart my engine to do the timing belt and I need to get that 32mm nut off to get the fan off the front of the engine, but the darn thing won't budge!

Every time I turn it the whole pulley moves. I've read that all you need to do is just hit a 32mm wrench with a hammer and it pops loose, but that isn't working.

How do I hold the pulley securely?

How does everyone else get it off?

thanks!

[ttrousdell]

lol the classic fan clutch dilemma. I back out 2 two of the water pulley nuts and use the screwdriver shank to keep it still. I,m sure you know its reverse thread.

[saturnv7890]

lol the classic fan clutch dilemma. I back out 2 two of the water pulley nuts and use the screwdriver shank to keep it still. I,m sure you know its reverse thread.

not a bad idea! And yep I know it's reverse threaded, I'll try this and let you know how it goes!

[ttrousdell]

yea just don't back out too much or you bend the bolts or screw up the water pump threads. a square shank screwdriver works better then a round shank

[saturnv7890]

oops i bent on of the bolts, but i got it off!

had to put a long pipe on my wrench and my screwdriver...

hmm hopefully it'll just be the bolt that needs replacing




EDIT (older and wiser):
If you bend the bolts, but are replacing the water pump anyway, it doesn't really matter how destructive you are. I was replacing the water pump, and I bought new bolts to repalce the ones I bent anyway.



But they do sell a tool that holds on to these bolts. It can be found on ebay or other suppliers (e30 fan clutch tool)