Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Bearing to clutch fan ?????

[PGaither]

My clutch fan is bad on my 96 Ram CTD, I am installing a Hayden

Fan clutch I bought from Heath Diesel. They told me when I ordered it to be carefull because sometimes when the fan clutch goes it can break the bearing and drive the fan into the radiator, damaging the radiator, and poss. the engine! Is that true? I was told to grab the fan with my hands (with engine off) and try to move it arround to see if there is any play (which would mean the bearing was gone), there was no play at all, nice & firm, it didn't move arround at all. You can spin the fan , but it has drag (not severe but enough to be bad..... ). Where is this "bearing" ,in the fan clutch? Does that mean that the new fan clutch comes with a new bearing so I don't have to worry about it? If not where is it? since it has no play should I not worry about it? I have to drive to work one more day before I can install it (waiting for it to arrive... . ), is it safe to drive it? I have to drive to & back 60 miles (120 total) tomorow for work, mostly highway I've been keeping the RPM's as low as possible (suggested by Heath), doing about 65 mph. I'm not comfortable removing the fan. Should I not worry about it? Is it safe to drive the truck (I don't have acess to a second car/truck). But I can't afford to damage my radiator, or engine... .....

 

[SRadke]

The bearing that he's probably refering to is not in the fan clutch but behind it. It is the bearing that the fan and clutch turn on. If you remove the belt and spin the fan you should be able to feel if the bearing is turning smoothly.



I replaced one for a friend in a 92 pickup. His bearing went bad and sent the fan (clutch, shaft and all) into the radiator. It was ugly. His fan was out of balance (one blade broken off) and I believe that to be the culprit.



I wouldn't worry about driving it for a few more days. Just check it out when you are working on the clutch. I'm sure others will chime in with more advise.

-Scott

 

[illflem]

The bearing is underneath the fan pulley. You could just loosen the belt, might not even have to remove it and see if the pulley spins freely.



Since your fan clutch hasn't been working correctly for awhile it's probably a little late to be worrying about it at this point especially when you're going to be changing it soon.

If you are truely worried just remove the fan till you get the new clutch. As long as the temps are below 80 and you're not stuck in bumper to bumper it will be fine without it.

 

[PGaither]

Thanks again for all the info/advice. Especially illflem... . This sight is the greatest! And the members, are the nicest, most helpfull people I've had the pleasure to meet in a long time...



Phil