A Fan Pulley Bracket plays a key role in the cooling system by supporting the fan clutch and fan blade, which pull air through the radiator for cooling. The fan clutch receives its rotational energy from the drive belt running over the pulley attached to the fan pulley bracket.
The Fan Pulley Bracket is a heavy object to support in the air, let alone having it spin thousands of RPM when in motion. Because this bracket endures constant forces applied by the belt system, rotational forces from the spinning fan clutch, and vibrations from the engine, the Fan Pulley Bracket is a critical component that should be checked regularly and replaced when necessary. The bracket andbearing must retain its structural integrity to be able to keep the clutch fan assembly in place.
When servicing engine cooling systems, often overlooked are the support components.It is standard procedure to replace the water pump, tensioners, belts, thermostat and sometimes the fan clutch, but did you check the Fan Pulley Bracket? Especially in rear wheel drive cars and trucks with internally mounted water pumps, a Fan Pulley Bracket is sometimes used to support and locate the fan clutch to its ideal cooling position by the radiator. The fan pulley bracket is a vital component that must support the rotating belt pulley system and hold the fan clutch assembly in place to keep your car running at optimal operating temperature.
As we all know, anything that rotates with bearings is prone to wear and tear. Bearings must be smooth and durable, otherwise the fan clutch assembly will wobble. Wobbling can cause uneven belt tension, which can cause the engine to lose power and shorten the life of a newly installed water pump. Additionally, uneven rotation can even cause the pulley to slip off the pulley, halting cooling performance and other vital engine functions. If left unchecked, the wobble can eventually damage bearings and shafts, which can eventually cause the fan clutch assembly to break and damage other important components under the hood, such as the radiator. That's why it's critical to replace the fan pulley mounts with genuine quality parts that can withstand the harsh conditions you face on a daily basis.
The following video is about how to replace the Cooling Fan Pulley Bracket
(web video, for reference only)