CTA Tools A886L BMW Fan Clutch Wrench Set

At the time I bought this tool combo, there was only 1 review (and it was harsh), so I thought I'd buy it and report my findings in greater detail to give another side to the incumbent review. The reviews for the other tools on Amazon have various complaints about them, but I'll be focusing on THIS set.I bought this set because it was Amazon Prime eligible, but I was reluctant to get it because of the solitary 1-star rating. After buying a cheaper tool that didn't work, I decided to give this a shot before I made something myself. Here's what I found:The 2-piece set is of quality construction, considering these are basically cold-rolled steel flats that have been chromed. They are FLAT, meaning they do not have a heavier contact patch like a combination wrench does. They have a very specific function: "loosen the BMW fan clutch nut that is torqued by the factory to about 30 '# and may have slightly tightened over the last 20 years due to age, weather, corrosion or other influences."They are shiny chrome pieces embossed with the CTA logo and "A886" on each. The spanner is also embossed "WARNING! Only for use on VISCOUS FAN HUBS," which may not scare you too much (it didn't me).There are 2 pieces in this kit: the Spanner and the Retainer.The Spanner is an open-end 32MM on one end with a squared-off handle-end. The handle-end has a 1/2" square for use with a breaker bar or other tool (though I doubt you'll need it if you just remember fan clutches are left-hand thread). While I didn't need to use a breaker bar, it's worth noting the square is not offset in any way. This means that if you choose to use a breaker bar, it is a linear extension: you won't get any additional torque. Might as well slide on a piece of black iron pipe.The Spanner is 400mm long ( a little short of a typical breaker bar) and 22.5mm wide. But here's the kicker: it's 6mm thick end-to-end. Any review saying the Spanner is weak, "cheap" or otherwise flimsy should consider that tool's dimensions to mine: this 6mm-thick-tool is thicker than a Matco 9/16" wrench at the handle or a HarborFreight 32mm "Service Spanner." How's that for "range?"The Retainer (the tool that you use to counteract the Spanner and prevent the water pump pulley spinning) is also about 400mm long, and a thicker 28.75mm wide. It's a thinner 5mm thick end-to-end, and while that's not as thick as the Spanner, it's still thicker than my Craftsman 15mm combo wrench at the handle. More importantly, the thickness is proportionate to the task at hand: prevent the water pump pulley turning.The Retainer has 2 sets of "bolt circle," one on each end, to maximize audience:On the rigid side, each hole is 12.10mm in diameter. The distance between each holes' outer dimension is 50.00mm. The "meat" between the holes is 25.8mm. This means the center-to-center is ~38mm. There's a concave opening so the tool goes around the base of the fan clutch, and both bolt holes have a slight relief to accommodate the crown of the bolts. This means the right way to put the Retainer on is with the CTA logo toward the front of the car. If you do it backwards, the Retainer won't be fully seated against the pulley and it MIGHT slip.The other end has an oval bolt hole to accommodate a variable range of "bolt circle." Once again, one hole is 12.10mm in diameter. The other hole (an oval), is 12.10mm x 25mm. The "meat" between the holes is 32.75mm and there's a relief for the round hole, but not for the oval hole. The concave opening has a different shape than the other end, which suggests this retainer could be used in many applications.So now that they're in my hand, let's go pop off a fan. On my M54, I used the end with the oval hole. I fed that to the nut from the driver's side, fairly horizontal. I used the Spanner from the passenger-side top (roughly 10:00). Once it was on the nut, I used the Spanner to slide the Retainer fully over the two bolts. Then, with a little tension "up" on the Retainer with my right hand, I gently moved the Spanner CLOCKWISE and felt the very satisfying release of tension as the nut broke free. It was hand-loose after that. The two issues I encountered were finding a place to drop the Spanner in (something's in the way up top that would prevent it spinning), and making sure the Retainer bar was on all the way. My advice is to do so, AFTER making sure the logo points forward. I can see how this might slip off otherwise.But anybody that says these tools don't fit (or that they're weak or bend easily) is either of diminished capacity or from a competing tool seller. They're not weak at all, they fit perfectly, worked perfectly and probably would work even if the nut were jammed on by a gorilla.If you use the tools in the manner intended, any DIY'er should have ZERO trouble loosening the fan clutch on a variety of engines, including BMW's M54 slant-six. However, if you put these tools on an engine and then pry them forward in an attempt to jiggle loose change from under the driver's seat in order to buy snacks at the Stop-N-Go, you MIGHT bend them.MIGHT.Under no circumstances will you bend them if you use them on the axis they were meant to function. Just remember: you are turning a backward-threaded nut of a fastener whose tip is pointed at the rear-end of the car. If you operate these tools in any direction other than clockwise and anti-clockwise from the hex of that fastener, you will achieve undocumented results but will FAIL to remove the fan clutch.In summary: under no circumstances should these tools be accused of not being up to task. They're specialty tools that won't be used much, they do a specific, low-torque job, and they don't need increased contact-patch to do that job. I strongly recommend this set to my fellow BMW owners.

This a top quality tool set!!!, before I bought this set I purchased another set that cost half as much, and all it did was waste my time!!!, I had to return it, that's when I bought this set, this set is made with a thicker, better grade of steel, and it has a nice chrome finish, it made the job go smoothly and easily, and it will last me for years, it is definitely a quality tool that you can depend on.

This is a nice tool set. However I wonder if some of the larger fan clutch sets have this spacing. If so those would be a much better deal.

Well made and well designed. Doesn’t slip off like other styles.

the tool is for BMW I use this for VW Passat V6 so I purchased this knowing that I was going to be modifying this tool by adding 2 bolts to hook a VW Passat Viscus fan clutch, works awesome

works as it should

Worked perfect. High quality.

Worked perfectly for me with no problems

I needed to replace my thermostat, water pump, fan clutch, and upper and lower radiator hoses on my 2002 BMW 530i. In order to do that, the first thing I had to do was buy this kit. It works exactly as you'd expect and made the repair a breeze! This kit is a must have because there is very little space to work with when the fan and fan shroud are still in place. But once those are out, you'll have plenty of room to get your hands in there.

Bought these tools to remove the fan on my 2001 330 xi with the M54 engine. The tools worked well, although it is a difficult job even with these tools. I don't know how I would have done it without them.

Perfect tool, fits and easy to work

THIS TOOL COULD NOT BE PURCHASED IN THIS AREA I REQUIRED THE WRENCH TO REMOVE THE FAN SO THAT I COULD INSTALL A NEW RADIATOR IN MY BMW IT DID THE JOB I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS WRENCH.

These made removal of my BMW fan clutch a snap. I'm so glad I bought them.