
#1
Posted 09 March 2025 - 06:04 PM
Had a fan belt snap so went to replace. Tried to get it past the crank pulley and bracket but no luck. Removed radiator and fan and still couldn’t get it past the bracket/crank.
I therefore propped up the engine with some wood and proceeded to undo the top long and loosen the bottom long bolt. I got the long bolt back past the captive nut and could fit the new fan, however, now cannot refit the captive bolt.
The bottom bolt remains threaded but lose but the top bolt will not find its way to the captive nut.
Any idea or help would be very grateful
#2
Posted 09 March 2025 - 06:41 PM
If this the one of the 4" bolts, they can be difficult to locate and get started on some cars. I find grinding a bit of a taper on the leading threads can help, then to get some pressure on the bolt so it'll pick up the first threads I'll drop a nut inside the 1/2" socket before offering it up to the bolt head, then I can lean in to it without the socket bottoming out.
#3
Posted 09 March 2025 - 07:10 PM
Double frustrating is all the other bolts are in situ
#4
Posted 09 March 2025 - 10:16 PM
This can be very tricky. I think the best way is to push on the bolt while slightly wiggling the radiator around. At some point you will feel the bolt move a fraction further in when you get the rad in the right place so everything is actually lined up. It should then screw in fairly easily. My bottom bolt actually is slightly tapered, and I always assumed it was like that from the factory, but maybe somebody did that to it before I got the car!
#5
Posted 09 March 2025 - 10:24 PM
Thanks, not sure what you mean by dropping a 1/2’’ into it. It’s so annoying as the start of the bolt lines up fine but not the other side.
Double frustrating is all the other bolts are in situ
what he means is, assuming you're using a ratchet and socket to tighten the bolt up, if you put a 1/2" nut into the socket (as a spacer) you'll be able to push the bolt inward as you do it up, which can help engage the thread (..be careful it doesn't cross thread though..)
#6
Posted 10 March 2025 - 07:30 AM
Just to confirm the rad isn’t back in situ yet.
I did try and wiggle it but it seems so far out at the top back bolt it’s crazy. Can’t event push a small Allen key through
#7
Posted 10 March 2025 - 07:43 AM
Thanks all.
Just to confirm the rad isn’t back in situ yet.
I did try and wiggle it but it seems so far out at the top back bolt it’s crazy. Can’t event push a small Allen key through
There's your problem then... Is everything else undone? You want to get that bottom one in first. At least that's the way I do it. There's kind of a knack as well... Having had my rad in and out far more often than I should have due to various other errors on my part :)
#8
Posted 10 March 2025 - 08:59 AM
Thanks all.
Just to confirm the rad isn’t back in situ yet.
I did try and wiggle it but it seems so far out at the top back bolt it’s crazy. Can’t event push a small Allen key through
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey ?????
Have you tried it this way ?
https://www.theminif...nge-a-radiator/ (post #11)
#9
Posted 10 March 2025 - 10:21 AM
I never had to jack up the engine or anything! In that post it looks like you're taking the rad off together with the whole engine mounting? (Rather than undoing that annoying bottom bolt that attaches it to the engine mounting).
#10
Posted 10 March 2025 - 11:36 AM
have you still got the engine jacked up on a block, and presumably the body of the car is also on stands or another jack
I'd try adjusting the jack(s) up and down a bit and see if you can get the hole alignment better
this is one of those rare times when I find a scissor jack can actually be better because you can really accurately go up and down very slightly (with some added caution as to instability of jack)
either that or I've misunderstood where you're at in which case apologies
Edited by stuart bowes, 10 March 2025 - 11:38 AM.
#11
Posted 10 March 2025 - 09:33 PM
Shooter
#12
Posted 11 March 2025 - 07:58 AM
I fitted my radiator yesterday. I had a real problem getting the bottom hose connected to the rad. At one point I got my hand trapped in gap between drive shaft and steering rack.
#13
Posted 11 March 2025 - 05:31 PM
I fitted my radiator yesterday. I had a real problem getting the bottom hose connected to the rad. At one point I got my hand trapped in gap between drive shaft and steering rack.
Getting it off is even worse... It helps to take the hose on/off with the top bracket undone. That gives you a tiny bit of wiggle room to angle it slightly upwards meaning you have some chance of actually pulling or pushing on it instead of trying to shove it sideways.
#14
Posted 11 March 2025 - 06:44 PM
Shooter
#15
Posted 12 March 2025 - 09:12 PM
Sorry this may be a bit late: but for the future, I like to grind a little space off the lower engine bracket so i can slide a new fanbelt past and into place without withdrawing or undoing anything except to loosen the alternator tensioner bracket.
As with all above sometimes moving /jacking at slightly different points helps...
5 minute jobs and Murphy's law - you just found one candidate and shortly you may encounter the following:-
one of the 4 engine mount bolts will drop and play hide and seek
Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: engine
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