How to remove stock radiator fan blade from fan motor?
 

Hey all,


I swear I've searched the crap out of this all over the internet, on miataturbo.net, on miata.net, etc. and I can't find a good answer to this question. Apologies if it's hidden somewhere that I didn't find.


Here's my problem: I have an OEM fan where the blades/prop and fan motor are totally fine and the shroud is busted. I have a brand new OEM shroud. I want to put the working motor+blades on the new shroud AND I CAN'T FRIGGIN FIGURE OUT HOW TO DETACH THE BLADE FROM THE MOTOR to make the swap. It does not want to come off, and other than the one little nut that I removed, I don't see any fasteners, detents, snap rings, or anything that might be keeping it on. I've tried everything I can think of and it's still stuck on there with no play at all.


The best I've found in searching is "remove the nut on the motor drive shaft and the blades should pop off"...which they don't.


Anybody have any idea what might be going on or how to make this work?


Thanks mucho!

Did yours have a nut that you removed? I've also seen some with a small square retainer. Pic?

From memory it's just pressed onto a spline, with the nut to secure it from slipping off.
NB8A OEM workshop manual confirms this too, one nut, and pull.

Same as how the steering wheel is held on.


And just like the steering wheel, over time the splines tend to really get to know each other and not want to part.
Prob worse for the fans, since they see far more heat cycles and moisture than the steering wheel ever does.


Soak the spindle with your penetrating lube of choice, leave it for a day or so, and try again.
If that doesnt work, try and tap the spindle with a hammer while pulling the fan.

or worst case, try and use a puller (not sure you've really got anywhere to pull from without breaking plastic though)

Hey sorry, somehow missed these replies. Thanks for following up!

Yep, nut is removed.

Good advice. I've sort of kinda already tried this, but have gotten to the point where light hammering isn't working and heavier hammering is damaging the assembly (especially the plastic spindle). Like you suggested, it's all such dinky material except for the actual motor and shaft that there's no real good angle on which to exert leverage. All of the surrounding metal/plastic are too thin/soft.

I might give it one more go using your suggestion (soak in penetrating oil and leave for a day...I wasn't quite so patient before). If not I suppose I may just have to scrap it and get a new fan.

Thanks again for the replies! :bowdown: