Question about 1998 Dodge Ram
There is a special spanner wrench that you need to hold onto the water pump pulley (the 2 holes in the big pulley the belt rides on).
The tool has a Y shape to it with a handle coming off the bottom end of the Y. There will be 2 pins in the ends of the V that fit into the holes on the pulley (adjustable). You put the pins into the holes, grab the handle with the left hand, and put a 15 inch cresent wrench in the right hand onto the clutch nut. Pull up on the Y shaped tool handle with the pins, push down on the wrench to the left (counter clockwise) to un-screw the clutch from the pulley.
Then take the clutch off the fan after you have it out of the truck.
LEAVE THE BELT ON UNTIL YOU GET THE PULLEY LOOSE!!!
THEN, take the belt off, then the pulley/clutch asembly off, then the water pump (replace with a NEW - NOT REBUILT PUMP).
The new only costs 20 bucks or so more, and it is worth the headache of paying more while you have it apart. If the clutch is shot, the pump is close behind because of the vibrations ruins the seals/bearings on the pump, even though you cant hear the noise, it is there. Take the LOWER fan shroud completely off by removing the trans lines from the radiator. pull the fan out the BOTTOM of the Van. Leave the top shroud in place but take the screws out so you can manuever the lower shroud out. You also may have to remove the lower radiator hose and move it aside. Good time to change coolant anyway. And since you are in there on top, change the thermostat, while you are doing the cooling system service. Use a PREAMIUM BRAND thermostat, like a STANT, it will have a small vent hole with a valve in it hanging off the side edge of the thermostat that helps vent air from the system so it will not overheat. Trapped air can cause the cooling system to overheat, so dont put the thermostat in upside down! Point go's UP.
GOOD LUCK.
Posted on Feb 17, 2009
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Posted on Jan 02, 2017
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trying to change thwater pump on my 98 doge pick-up 1500 ram with v8 magnum engine . how do ya get the clutch off?
you still need to hold the pulley still napa has the tool in question for about twenty dollars makes the job much easier just changed water pump on my 99 dakota and my mothers 2000 grand cherokee
i believe your referring to that BIG nut on the clutch fan , if you don't have the special clutch fan nut remover , you might be able to borrow one from like a autozone / checker loan - a - tool program . i have improvised with a 1-1/2 " big wrench , its a little loose but it can work , its all down hill after that . good luck
J5
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