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Fan Bracket Free Fix!!! Must Read!!!

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by pilotj, Feb 16, 2011.

  1. Feb 16, 2011 at 3:20 PM
    #1
    pilotj

    pilotj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Jay
    Grand Mesa, CO
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    2001 Tacoma SR5 TRD 3.4L 226,000 like new!
    Deck plate w/baffle, grey wire mod, defroster switch mod, LED footlights, LED cap lights, magnetic theft deterent...
    I have a 2001 Tacoma 3.4L and recently have been hearing bearing rumble near the waterpump. Truck has 210,000 miles on it. I listened to all parts with a screwdriver and found the fan bracket was rumbling like a bad bearing. The part at dealer cost is about $300. Checked online and found one for about $60. I went for the $60 part. After installing the new part, started the truck and the rumble was back with gusto!!! I could even feel the rough bearing with a screwdriver. So, I took off the new part, tapped it with a screwdriver and it went clunk.:eek: I tapped the old part with the screwdriver and it rang. The new part must be cast Chinese, including the bearing!!! :D:mad::D:mad:
    So here is the free fix:
    I have a hypodermic needle with a zerk fitting for a grease gun. Took the needle and slipped it between the seal and shaft on the back side of the fan bracket and pumped 5-6 pumps of grease into the bearing. Installed the fan bracket and started the truck. No noise, took the screwdriver and listened to the fan bracket and all I could hear was hmmmmmmm. Just like a new bearing!!!
    So, if you have your fan bracket off for any reason, at any mileage, grease the bearing and you will save hundreds!!! :):):):)
     
    Faster_n_you98 and tony2018 like this.
  2. Feb 16, 2011 at 4:50 PM
    #2
    Supra TT

    Supra TT Supercharged Lifter

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    Nice work lol. Interesting.. Damn chinese!
     
  3. Feb 16, 2011 at 9:19 PM
    #3
    pilotj

    pilotj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Deck plate w/baffle, grey wire mod, defroster switch mod, LED footlights, LED cap lights, magnetic theft deterent...
    I knew better when I ordered the part online. At that price, cheap is CHEAP CHINESE CRAP!!!:D
    At least they are taking the chinese part back and the factory part is like new again.:)
    I LOVE MY TOYOTA!!!! 500,000 miles, here I come! Almost 1/2 way there...
     
  4. Feb 17, 2011 at 12:04 AM
    #4
    Fati Tacoma

    Fati Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    ok perhaps a dumb question but what do you mean you listened to it with a screwdriver? Do you just put it up against the part and the sound travels through the tool or what?
     
  5. Feb 17, 2011 at 3:23 AM
    #5
    SargeSlapnuts

    SargeSlapnuts SargeSlapnuts

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    yes it works like a stethascope. you just put it on the part while the motor is runing and you cen hear what going on inside the motor
     
  6. Feb 17, 2011 at 4:09 AM
    #6
    Fati Tacoma

    Fati Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I like that trick. Thanks for the tip man. Glad you got it fixed cheap!
     
  7. Feb 25, 2011 at 8:48 PM
    #7
    pilotj

    pilotj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Deck plate w/baffle, grey wire mod, defroster switch mod, LED footlights, LED cap lights, magnetic theft deterent...
    500 miles since greasing the fan bracket.
    Listening with the screwdriver, it still sounds like a new bearing!
    Guess I'll grease it again in another 100,000 - 200,000 miles....
     
  8. Feb 25, 2011 at 9:18 PM
    #8
    NegroTundra

    NegroTundra Well-Known Member

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    You gotta pic of exactly where you put the grease?

    Great fix btw. Mine has been calling crickets every since I bought it.
     
  9. Feb 26, 2011 at 8:11 AM
    #9
    pilotj

    pilotj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Deck plate w/baffle, grey wire mod, defroster switch mod, LED footlights, LED cap lights, magnetic theft deterent...
    I didn't think about taking a pic when I had it off.

    You need to remove the fan bracket first. Very easy, just slack the p/s and alt belts, remove the four nuts attaching the fan,
    Remove the fan and pulleys,
    Remove the 5 bolts attaching the fan bracket and remove the fan bracket,
    On the back side of the fan bracket you will see the shaft protruding from the seal.
    Carefully insert the grease needle between the shaft and the seal, then pump 5 or 6 pumps of grease behind the seal. This is a two person job, because you won't be able to get a good seal on the needle without two hands.
    Be sure you have the grease gun needle that is like the one pictured.
    After greasing, rotate the shaft, you should feel the resistance of tbe grease, if not, add more grease.
    Then reinstall and your done!

    IMG_20110226_100802.jpg
     
  10. Feb 26, 2011 at 8:20 AM
    #10
    pilotj

    pilotj [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2001 Tacoma SR5 TRD 3.4L 226,000 like new!
    Deck plate w/baffle, grey wire mod, defroster switch mod, LED footlights, LED cap lights, magnetic theft deterent...
  11. Feb 26, 2016 at 2:22 PM
    #11
    tacopablo

    tacopablo Well-Known Member

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    Hey Jay, I have the same problem here with my 1998 v6 tacoma with 333 000 km on it. I'll sure try your trick before buying another over priced part.

    Thanks for your post!
     
  12. Feb 27, 2016 at 10:16 AM
    #12
    Dirty Pool

    Dirty Pool FLIES ON THE FRIES, KETCHUPS WATERED DOWN

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    Once the bearings have been run dry they have been damaged. Adding more grease may quiet things down, for a while.
    This is the proprietary bearing assembly, 1 row of ball bearings and 1 row of rollers. Just so you will know what your sticking a needle into.
    FSBBR_zpsoqff2brh_b95094798494c5f3731aabe4773b0c13e2498b0a.jpg
     
  13. Feb 28, 2016 at 12:44 PM
    #13
    tacopablo

    tacopablo Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the advice, I was looking for a short term repair. But I just started the engine and that was not the problem -_-'
     
  14. Feb 29, 2016 at 11:17 AM
    #14
    Trapperr

    Trapperr Well-Known Member

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    after changing my timing belt and water pump last weekend I have a metal on metal sound that sounds like it's coming from my fan bracket. I had grayish black shadowing on the back side starting at the bearing and spreading out like the bearing puked it's grease. I sprayed it down with super clean and washed it down which I now regret. Think I got some degreaser or water in the bearing. Ordered another bracket online ($107) and I'll put it in when it arrives in a few days.
     
  15. Jan 27, 2019 at 12:51 PM
    #15
    CrippledOldMan

    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

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    I've used a piece of wooden closet pole for the last 30 years to listen to bearings, and other weird engine noises. put on the valve cover and listen to lifters etc. sound travels very good through wood, and if it gets dinged up, it's cheap to replace.
     
  16. Jan 27, 2019 at 5:39 PM
    #16
    1997tacomav6

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    If that trick doesn’t work, rockauto has Asian ones for around 100.00 that work great.

    3ED28AA9-ADCC-4608-89A3-DBF5A71C2DF4.jpg
     
    tony2018 likes this.

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