QuestionI have a 99 chrysler 300 m with what looks to be a loose radiator fan on the drivers side. When the fan engages the fan wobbles and makes an awful racket. The passenger side does not make the same wobble or noise. I checked the fan itself and it seems to be loose compared to the passenger side. The parts guy at my local store told me it could be a loose screw. Could you tell me 1) Is a loose screw a possibility? 2) What is the procedure for removing and reinstalling a radiator fan? The space is really small between the engine and the radiator and I am tempted to remove all the parts in the way. Is there an easier way? Also, while I am working on this I'd like to replace both the AC and alternator belt. Could you give the procedure for this as well?
Thanks
AnswerI just posted up a response about another 300M blowing fuses. You may want to check that out as well when I tell you that you will need both fans as an assembly. It's fairly simple and doesn't take alot of time. BUT what it does require is either air tools or tough hands.
The upper radiator support is held in place using 10mm, 13mm, and I think it's 7mm bolts (7's at the headlamps). The front fascia is held to the upper radiator support using plastic 2 piece push pins.
You should remove the following:
13mm head bolts (support to frame, Hood latch to support), 10mm head bolts (washer bottle to support, Cruise to support, support to braces under front section of support, and the ones at the corners). Also remove the 2 10mm nuts holding the remainder of the cruise to a bracket (I think) or just bend the tab out of the way. The 7mm's are a bit tricky because they may strip out or even be torx instead of hex head.
Remove the plastic push pins and you will be left with two black plastic pop rivots. Take a punch or small phillips and not out the centers. Remove the upper radiator support.
Disconnect the electrical connector for the fan closest to the driver's side top of the radiator. Now for the fun/painful part. There are four screws/bolts holding the fan to the radiator. I use a 1/4" drive air ratchet, a 10mm swivel socket and MAYBE a short extension to remove these. Without the air ratchet you will require more room to actually turn the manual ratchet. Once they are removed you may have to remove retaining clips at each bolt hole. They're not fun but it can be done by using a pick with a 90 bend at the end. Take the pick, bend the center section outward and slide the clip away from the radiator. DON'T DROP IT because the car loves to eat important parts and tools and never give them back.
After you remove the clips you'll have to hold your mouth in several different positions to manuever the fan assembly out of the way. But it can be done without breaking loose the upper radiator hose and trans cooler lines.
This would be a perfect time to replace the drive belts since you've got all this room now (at least compared to your first view). They're just simple tensioners and referring to the service manual or haynes manual would help you out there.
I almost forgot. I think the 300M's have a black plastic trim piece covering up the upper radiator support. It's just held in by a bunch of phillips screws.
That should get you started but as for the actual reason to replace them both you'll like me later. The fans are known for failing, frequently. As soon as you save a penny by only replacing the failed one, the other one goes out. They've been known to seize, wobble, just pop fuses or even obliterate themselves and take out the radiator. Replace them both as an assembly.
Doug
