IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ BELOW, SHORT STORY IS:

This company makes good tools, the exact tools to get the fan off.
If you own a 3 with the 4.4L, this is probably the best stuff out there.

(Assenmacher 8036)

AJV8 Pulley holder (Assenmacher 8007)


There are more than a few threads on fan belts on the various rover forums, and I had to troll around for references to the correct tools. Most mention a 36mm wrench for the fan nut, and a LOT talk about the whole rent-a-tool "hobby-doo" kit you can pick up from Autozone.

I needed to access my engine belts for a swap and so was looking for tools to get the fan off. Did the Autozone trip, came back with tools made for a ford engine (4 bolt pulley, not the 3 bolt Jag used) and they worked horribly . Usability was pretty abysmal. Even the best tool I could find was that around the bolts on the idler pulley cover to hold on. Not so optimal but in theory it works okay.

Bbyer gave me a tip to ask Assenmacher tools, out of Boulder, CO whether or not they had specialty stuff for these trucks. Turns out they have both a kickass 36mm wrench (it was part no. 8030, but superseded by 8036), but they more importantly make a pulley wrench specifically fit for an AJV8 4.4). Cost was pretty good for these pieces, and you can get them from multiple vendors fairly quickly (amazon, etc.).

Their customer service is kickass, guy emailed me a response to my question within 5 minutes...

Anyway, check them out. They're the kind of business we need around, and their tools made my job a whole lot easier. (my fan nut was so torqued on that I needed to hold one wrench while sitting atop the engine compartment while using my heel to push the other wrench to break the nut off, so I needed the extra length of the darn things). Autozone rent-a-tool wouldn't cut it.

 

Exact tools I have in my box, and use several times a week. After a couple hundred uses, the fan wrench still has the same shape, something I can't say about a couple other manufactures I have for other applications.

 

Thought I would share. Coming from D1, D2, and P38s I always remove the fan turning the wrench to the left(Facing the motor from the front of the car).

The first time I tried to remove the LR3 fan I almost threw my back out... Then I realized I was turning it the wrong way. The wrench goes to the right (facing the engine from the front)

A Mechanic buddy told me you always turn the wrench in the direction the fan blades are pointing towards the radiator to remove. Not sure if that's common knowledge or not.

 

I kid you not I watched the AB video, was trying to get it off the right way, and it was still that bad to pull off. Was scratching my head before I finally muscled it with my legs that I must be tightening it, but no! 8 years of never needing the fan off (low mileage) had just sealed it up tight.

 

It looks like both of these Assenmacher tools were discontinued. Does anyone know if there is an alternative on the market today for the 3 bolt pulley holder?

The 36mm wrench seems easy enough to find. Atlantic British and FCP Euro both stock something that looks like it will work.

 

I use this one that works well. I got the tip from the Waffle Square dude on YouTube.

ABN Fan Clutch Removal Tool 36mm and 32mm Fan Clutch Tool Kit with Water Pump Pulley Holder 3-Piece Fan Clutch Set https://a.co/d/e0dkYYh

 

Thanks, i'll give this a try

 

These ends are what work.

 

I finally managed to get the fan off! WD40 specialist penetrating oil + time is the way to go for anyone who isn't in a hurry. I got back from a 1 week vacation yesterday and it popped off on the first try, no hammering required. Maybe removing and reassembly with anti-sieze lube would be a good preventative measure for anyone who hasn't had to remove their fan yet.

I also managed to find a good set of wrenches that look like the Land Rover tools (303-1142 and 303-1143) called out in the workshop manual. This might have also helped me break the nut free, I didn't bother trying the smaller tools after the week long WD40 soak.