Author Topic: fan clutch anatomy  (Read 4431 times)

jeffc280sl

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fan clutch anatomy
« on: September 29, 2009, 22:08:17 »
After some research and looking at the fan clutch I determined it was not serviceable.  I've taken it apart to confirm this.  The two aluminum halves are press fit together and internal pieces are rivited toether.  There is no way to break it apart without damaging the fluid retention capability.  There are no screws or bolts to service the item.  The only failure mode I can see is the loss of fluid inside the clutch.  This fluid could leak slowly through the pin behind the front cover plate or pass by the oil seals at thee base of the clutch housing.  In addition to not performing as designed I imagine there would eventually be some mechanical failure caused by friction due to fluid loss of the silicon oil inside the clutch assembly.  At some point I guess it would get noisy.

I'm enclosing some pictures of the insides.  You will notice one of the clutch plates and the roller bearing and seals pressed into the rear of the housing.

ja17

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Re: fan clutch anatomy
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2009, 00:25:15 »
Hello Jeff,

These are quite pricey new also.  However the same unit was  used on thousands of sedans of the era! Good used ones can be found.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

jeffc280sl

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Re: fan clutch anatomy
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2009, 16:47:55 »
Thanks Joe

abe280SL

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Re: fan clutch anatomy
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2009, 16:53:04 »
Just went through this and remember paying $300.Did not have time to look around. Autohausaz has it for $180!
abe

ja17

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Re: fan clutch anatomy
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2009, 16:58:56 »
Good deal abe, for $180.00 I would definately go for the new one.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

waqas

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Re: fan clutch anatomy
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2009, 17:40:35 »
Wow! Prices have risen. I bought mine in early 2007 from AutoHausAZ for $120. Current price of $180 (and they have it on sale!) makes it a 50% increase in just 2.5 years!
Waqas (Wa-kaas) in Austin, Texas