2019 Ram Clutch Fan Bolt

[racer12306]

Been going back and forth about changing the water pump when I change the coolant. It’s OEM and has 127k on it and is a 5.7.

I loosened the belt and tried to wobble the pump pulley and it’s pretty solid. It doesn’t leak, not a single leak on the truck.

Think I’m going to let it ride. Thoughts?

While doing that I noticed this:

Could not loosen it with fingers. Got a wrench and took it out.

Crappy pic of the threads

I’m guessing it’s been like this since new. Assembler hit torque spec and shipped it. I tried to get it in straight but that didn’t happen. So I tightened it up (maintain balance). I guess I’ll be adding a new clutch fan to the list haha

 

[Arc]

Been going back and forth about changing the water pump when I change the coolant. It’s OEM and has 127k on it and is a 5.7.

I loosened the belt and tried to wobble the pump pulley and it’s pretty solid. It doesn’t leak, not a single leak on the truck.

Think I’m going to let it ride. Thoughts?

While doing that I noticed this:

View attachment 311300

Could not loosen it with fingers. Got a wrench and took it out.

Crappy pic of the threads
View attachment 311301

I’m guessing it’s been like this since new. Assembler hit torque spec and shipped it. I tried to get it in straight but that didn’t happen. So I tightened it up (maintain balance). I guess I’ll be adding a new clutch fan to the list haha

I have an 05 Hemi and I've been through two water pumps in the last few years. On the next one I'm doing away with the heavy clutch fan and going electric. The only explanation is an unbalanced fan.

 

[Mazomopar]

Did one for my son's 5.7. Have the giant 36mm wrench hanging on a nail in the garage for all to see. Just a good old school plug and play pump on his. But when you mention buggered up threads, make sure you test thread your fan on the main pump shaft before bolting and sealing everything back up. At least it wasn't filled with antifreeze yet when I had to take it back off. Double threads cut from the factory.

 

[Astro14]

I would remove it, put it on the bench, and do a careful installation of a helicoil, and you should be good to go.

 

[Marcozi]

The fan may have a left hand thread. Many European cars that had mechanical fans had left handed threads.

 

[Mazomopar]

The fan may have a left hand thread. Many European cars that had mechanical fans had left handed threads.

That's true. I was taught the direction the fan rotates is the direction you loosen the nut.

 

[clinebarger]

The fan may have a left hand thread. Many European cars that had mechanical fans had left handed threads.

If the fan drive/water pump is driven by the ribbed side of the belt...The fan clutch is left hand thread.
On the back/smooth side...It's right hand thread.

 

[clinebarger]

Did you buy this truck new? Dodge trucks are known for early & often water pump failures.

 

[racer12306]

Did you buy this truck new? Dodge trucks are known for early & often water pump failures.

Bought it almost new.

2019 model in June 2020 with 8800 miles.

 

[Hohn]

It's a fan clutch, not a clutch fan. It's not cooling your clutch down.

Bolts exist to provide clamping. If there's enough clamping, then it will be fine regardless of how many bolts are in there.

Personally I'd remove it and repair the threads exactly as @Astro14 outlined. Timesert or Heli-Coils will make threads better than new.