Fan Clutch alternative sources

[cwmyoung52]

Has anyone had experience with the Borg Warner clutch for '92 model year? Build date 10/91.

Price is attractive but... What say ya'll?

Craig

 

[gsxr]

Borg Warner does not make a clutch for the 500E, AFAIK... it will almost certainly be a re-boxed clutch from a different manufacturer. The only aftermarket brand that I've had personal experience that seems to work pretty well is ACM. The ACM needs a slightly shorter mounting bolt, is engaged a bit more often than the OE Sachs, and disengages at a higher RPM. But, the pricetag (usually <$150) is quite attractive compared to the OE Sachs at $750 list. (!!!)

If you would prefer a new-in-box OEM Sachs clutch, I have one that I was going to post in the classifieds soon. $450, free shipping in the USA, PayPal ok. Guaranteed good, pics on request, etc etc...

 

[edcarls]

IIRC, ACM fan clutch is made by Borg Warner.

 

[kwontumspeed]

IIRC, ACM fan clutch is made by Borg Warner.

I've heard the same thing but haven't vetted it. Regardless, my thought process was probably similar to many: For the price of the ACM you can go through five of them before you get to the price on ONE Sachs...

 

[gsxr]

Could be one makes it for the other, or vice-versa... I'm not sure. The ACM clutch and box had no markings indicating much of anything not even a country of origin. The main bearing was made in China though. I've never seen an actual Borg-Warner branded/boxed clutch for the M119, but perhaps they only sell to reboxers...?

 

[gsxr]

I've heard the same thing but haven't vetted it. Regardless, my thought process was probably similar to many: For the price of the ACM you can go through five of them before you get to the price on ONE Sachs...

Yup. My only beef was the ACM disengagement RPM. I really don't like that it spins the fan about 1000rpm higher (than the OE/Sachs) before disengaging. Nobody has reported a grenaded fan blade though - yet!

 

[J-Sauce]

Dave, I do remember noting that my ACM came with a bearing made in CANADA. Also, what RPM does your ACM disengage? Mine will turn off at 3500 tach-indicated RPMs (judged by the obvious drop in noise) if I hold the car in a lower gear.

 

[cwmyoung52]

More info about the shorter bolt. Does it have a set of specs? Peachparts doesn't mention it in their listing for the clutch.

 

[J-Sauce]

Borrowed from Dave's site:

 

[gsxr]

More info about the shorter bolt. Does it have a set of specs? Peachparts doesn't mention it in their listing for the clutch.

Yeah, NONE of the vendors mention the shorter bolt (idiots!). You gotta find out the hard way if nobody tells you about it. One poor sap on a different forum broke the too-long bolt off in the fan support and then had to replace that as well - he wasn't a happy camper.

Sauceman, I check the disengagement in park with the engine at 90C or higher, to make sure the clutch is fully engaged. The OE Sachs clutches all disengage right at 3800 and they re-engage if you slowly let the revs come down to about 3200. The ACM clutch on my E420 doesn't disengage until around 4500-4800 engine rpm, which is about 5600-6000 fan blade rpm. A bit higher than I'd like, but the E420 doesn't get wound up there much.

 

[samiam44]

For the $$ spent for a OEM fan clutch, I'd be tempted to go to the aftermarket electric fans.

How about trying the re-filling of silicone oil and simply re-use the existing clutch?

I though the fan supports were available from MB as a rebuilt part- so not a huge deal if you snapped a bolt off.. unless you need to drive it to work the next day.

Michael

 

[gsxr]

The fan support is a fairly big job to R&R, at least a lot more than just swapping the fan clutch. I think the guy got one used from a salvage yard. But otherwise yes, it's available as a rebuilt item from MB.

 

[cwmyoung52]

Still researching the m10 x 50mm bolt issue. Film at 11.

 

[Christian_K]

Get rid of the clutches... go electric! The modern approach for cooling. Increases MPG, Power and saves your pocket. Best Bang for the Buck.... :
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/sho...ctric-Fan-conversion-thread&highlight=viscous
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?1391-Viscous-Fan-Clutch-Replacement&highlight=viscous
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?2330-Viscous-Fan-Clutch-Rehab&highlight=viscous
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showwiki.php?title=Viscous_Fan_Clutch&highlight=viscous
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?2596-One-COOL-ide-a&highlight=viscous

 

[gsxr]

Still researching the m10 x 50mm bolt issue. Film at 11.

Just buy a new one from the dealer (part number is in previous photo). Should be less than five bucks out the door even if they mark it up a bunch.

 

[J-Sauce]

Haha Dave, mine was ~$8.00!

 

[gsxr]

Haha Dave, mine was ~$8.00!

That's a serious BOHICA markup. MBNA list price on bolt p/n 000912-010222 is a whopping $3.20, so they must have jacked it up 150% to make it $8. Sheesh. If you need to buy some other parts, just get everything from parts.com (to save on shipping). The bolt is a paltry $2.28 over there:
http://www.parts.com/parts/index.cf...ext=000912010222&action=oePartSearch&siteid=2

 

[cwmyoung52]

News flash. Just received the spec'ed bolt #000912-010222 and it does not fit the application! Head is is too big and will not fit in the recess. Picked up a standard socket head 10m x 50mm 1.50 thread bolt at home depot and it will fill the bill. Will add some blue thread locker and, done.

 

[gsxr]

If you ordered the bolt from any MB part vendors except the Mercedes dealership... the bolt head will be too large and will not fit. BT, DT. Thought I had mentioned that previously, but it looks like I neglected to mention it... my apologies!

The Home Despot bolt should work fine. No threadlocker needed, btw. Don't overtorque the bolt either. It doesn't need to be superman tight.

 

[J-Sauce]

Dave, I would have normally bought the bolt from parts.com, but forgot it was needed for the install until I had the acm clutch in my hand. Just needed to get it on already and finish the job. This is the same dealership that charges $197 for a 4-wheel alignment.

 

[cwmyoung52]

I am in the middle of the install of an ACM clutch. Stopped by the overtorqued holding bolt. Looking for the holding tool that is indicated by the manual. Tried to squeeze the belt enough to overcome 30 Nm, no joy. Hope my friend at the local golf course has an answer. He has all kinds of strange tools for pulleys and such.
You should see his blade sharpener. Looks like a CAD/CAM unit but all it does is sharpen gang mower blades!
By the way thanks for the note about the oversize bolt head on the 2851 item, BT DT as well.
So much to do, so little time...Must be ready for Fall Touring! Skyline Drive calls me!

 

[J-Sauce]

I was able to use an adjustable pipe wrench to hold the fan pulley in place. Tightened to the right size, put a rag over the mouth to protect the pulley, and slid it on from the rear passenger side of the pulley. The just applied some force to tension it in place as I turned the fan bolt with my free hand.

 

[cwmyoung52]

All done and no leaks. Used a MASSIVE slip joint pliers to hold it still and about 100 ft/lbs to crack the bolt. The biggest pain was getting the lower shroud back in (10 minutes), don't think I beat the book on this one. Temps have been fine (90-95) with ambient at 97 F. Saw a slow rise to the "100" mark but this seems to have gone away. Also, found two of the flaps on the shroud had been reversed and glued shut. Is this a fix for the Tundra? Have undone.