OK... I've searched, looked at schematics, sacrificed small inanimate objects, but I cannot figure out how to get this fan clutch off.

'79 300D

Every schematic I see shows it should have a center bolt holding it on. But what I see is a metal clip, held on by another metal clip that is pressed onto the clutch. Remove those and viola! NOTHING! No bolt, just a tiny round hole with a very small metal post in it, slightly larger than a pen point.

I find no nuts or bolts holding this thing on. If there's a center bolt I have to remove whatever this is in front of it and it appears to be completely part of the fan clutch!!!!

I haven't found any threads or wiki articles that show this particular setup.

TIA,
Bill

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'87 300SDL, intensely modified Greasecar setup, with nickle plated heat exchanger, 3 valve setup, 312,000 miles
'95 Suburban diesel, Greasecar basics, 16 plate heat exchanger, mercedes fuel lines, Racor filter
'85 Renault Alliance converted full electric vehicle

When removed it looks like this:

http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ425K0PE2AJ&year=1979&make=MB&model=300-D-002&category=All&part=Fan+Clutch

There are 4 small bolts holding it to the front of the water pump. Remove those bolts and remove the fan/clutch assembly.

Those four bolts are not easy to remove. I sort of remember modifying a box end wrench to fit on them. Grinding a portion of the outer edge so it would fit on those bolts.

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1983 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo (Daily Driver)
1979 Mercedes Benz 300CD (Needs Lotsa Work)
1963 Chevrolet C10 Stepside Shortbed (Not Stock)
1999 Chevrolet Silverado Z-71 (Fun to Drive)
2007 Nissan 350Z (Wifes Car - Lucky!)

The easiest way to get those four bolts off is to bump the engine so the you are unbolting them at the twelve o'clock position and hand rotate the fan to the largest opening between the blades.
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blindwolf
1983 300D

I recently removed/installed the fan clutch on both my cars, an 84 and an 85 300TD (swapped for diagnostic purposes).

They are 10 mm bolts, that from what others have said, are quite prone to rounding off.

I used a the open end of a regular 10mm Craftsman combination wrench and about a 3 foot piece of pipe over it as a cheater bar, to apply strong, steady force. I had no problem loosening all 8 bolts.

As mentioned, rotate the engine so that each bolt is readily accessible from the top.

A good soaking dose of PB blaster wouldn't hurt either.

Good Luck

I forgot to mention earlier, that you should also secure a thick piece of cardboard (or thin wood) in front of the rafdiator, while doing any work in that area. It does not take much contact by a metal object, wrench, fan, etc, to ruin your day as well as your radiator. (don't ask me how I know this).
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blindwolf
1983 300D

Thanks for all the help guys. I saw those 4 bolts but thought they held on the pulley. I had no problem getting them off with a 10mm box wrench and a 3/4" foot long pipe. Even without turning the engine.

Bill

__________________
'87 300SDL, intensely modified Greasecar setup, with nickle plated heat exchanger, 3 valve setup, 312,000 miles
'95 Suburban diesel, Greasecar basics, 16 plate heat exchanger, mercedes fuel lines, Racor filter
'85 Renault Alliance converted full electric vehicle