How do I remove the viscous fan on my 280?

[jon@127]

Here's the background:
Fitting of power steering is progressing well, I've got a pump and rack and I'm now ready to weld in the additional chassis bracing before cutting off the orignial diagonal to make room for the power rack. I thought I would put in a straight brace joining the top of the two existing triangulating braces. In order to do this I need to remove the viscous fan and replace it with an electric one. The trouble is I can't see how to get the viscous one off.

Here's the problem:
I undid all the bolds I could see and all I got was a bunch of lose components on the shaft! pulley and fan.
Next I put back the pulley and braced it and tried to undo the whole shaft using the large 32mm hex section between the pulley and the fan. Nothing happened and I don't want to force it and break something. I'm assuming it undoes anticlockwise.
Any advice on what to do next?
In case this is not clear I'll take some pctures tomorrow and post them onto this message.
Jon

[GreenV8S]

It's a left hand thread, so turn it clockwise to loosen it.

[york33]

I'm sure mine was just four M8 bolts holding fan to pulley. I don't think I even removed the pulley.......could be wrong though!

cheers
Dave

[jon@127]

It's definately not just the 4 bolts, I've taken off all the bolts I can ans as I say that just leaves everything floating about on the shaft with the front viscous coupling in the way.
It's late and dark and rather chilly now so I think I'll try the left hand thread option tomorrow.
Cheers
Jon

[york33]

This was puzzling me so I've just been for a look! Though seem to have binned the fan so not too much use!

Now I remember where I got 4 bolts from!! Four bolts went through the pulley and onto the spinny thing behind, waterpump iirc. These were a pain to get at as the spanner was only just thin enough to get in! Undo them and pulley and fan fall off - but you've already done that so that's not much use to you - Then all I remember after that is there was a very tight nut that held the fan on. I used one of those 'Boa Constrictor' things to hold the pulley still.

I'll just go to bed I think, I've been about as much use as a chocolate fireguard!

cheers
Dave

PS Mondeo diesel twin fans+shroud are a good bet with a little tweaking.

[grahamw48]

jon@127 said:

It's definately not just the 4 bolts, I've taken off all the bolts I can ans as I say that just leaves everything floating about on the shaft with the front viscous coupling in the way. It's late and dark and rather chilly now so I think I'll try the left hand thread option tomorrow. Cheers Jon

Just undo the big brass-type nut on the engine side of the viscous coupling.

As previously stated, it is DEFINATELY left-hand thread (turn clockwise to loosen).

[jeff m]

Yes it's left hand thread and there is a tool for getting these things off, it looks like one of those old bicycle spanners, thin with two prongs.
Once you get it off do not throw it away.

[GreenV8S]

I think that by the time you have removed the bolts securing the fan there is enough clearance to get an ordinary spanner on it.

[grahamw48]

GreenV8S said:

I think that by the time you have removed the bolts securing the fan there is enough clearance to get an ordinary spanner on it.

I managed ok without.

[jon@127]

I can get my adjustable spanner onto it but I think I'll buy a pukka 32mm job to be on the safe side.
I have wedged the pulley by bolting on a flat bar using two of the 8M bolts. The bar contacts the bottom pulley as it turns so everything is nice and solid and ready for the clockwise levering.
I may not do it before the weekend though as I find the TV and sofa much more inviting, on cold dark nights, than my gloomy garage!
Cheers
Jon