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Radiators - Arrrrggghhh

97 TJ I6 Auto AC Finally getting around to putting in the radiator I bought a couple of months ago. The manual says to unbolt the shroud and pull out. How do you do this without bending the fan blades? But thats a minor question, what I reall want to know is: While unbotling the last two screws on the radiator and those %#)@^! gizmo retainers are making the bolts spinners. I'm ready to get out the cold chisel. Prying them doesn't cause any reaction except I hear a slight giggling from the bolt region. Has anyone replaced these bolts with self-tapping SS bolts? I don't want to consider doing the radiator again anytime soon and am sure the SS bolts would hold well, but if I did so wouold there be a surprise? Thanks, Steve
Reply to
popeyeball
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popeyeball did pass the time by typing:

I find it easier to unbolt the fan and take both it and shroud out at the same time.

I dunno about the screws, mine is held in by a cross brace and some rubber top-hat looking things.

Reply to
DougW

Remove the four bolts holding the fan on the thermal clutch. While you have the fan out, clean the goop off the blades to stop the excess wobble induced on the water pump bearings by the dirt. If you see lots of oil on the blades, the clutch might be leaking.

Reply to
Scott in Baltimore

Fans unbolted, how do I get that thing in front off. Not much room there. Do I use some kind of puller? I need to drop the new Rad in to get to Turkey dinner tomorrow afternoon. Snowing today, nobig deal, made a tent with a tarp. I'm going to have to haul that old pickup and clean the other junk out of the way. Thanks, Steve

Reply to
popeyeball

Not sure about TJ's but on my YJ the "gizmo retainers" are little clips that I also cursed out, but was able to get replacement ones at NAPA Auto Parts. I just took a damaged one in to them and they were able to match it.

good luck paul

Reply to
paul

I think you can just push the shroud and fan back out of the way and the rad lifts up out.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail >
Reply to
Mike Romain

He has an auto, so he still has the cooler lines to disconnect.

Reply to
Will Honea

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