28-10-2012, 09:37 AM
When you describe how to remove the "slam panel" i think you mean the grill. The slam panel is the big black piece of metal spanning the front of the car that the bumper and lights bolt to, it's shown as still in place in all of your pics. You may actually find it easier to take the slam panel off as it goes, instead of removing the bumper you can undo the four bolts holding the slam panel on (one on each wing and one through the front plate on both sides of the chassis), unplug your lights, release clips and bonnet catch and lift off the front end in one piece, no need to remove the bumper separately. You'll find this also give you much better access to the fans.
If you disconnect the main loom connection to the fans you can take the whole fan unit out of the vehicle, which will make it a lot easier to tackle the motors. You just need to lift the rad and condenser slightly so the spigots on the bottoms are clear of the plastic fan cowling, then slide the whole housing forwards to take it out, the rad and condenser can just be sat back down on the cross-member until you're ready to refit the fans.
If you decide to stick to pushing the condenser and fans apart i would advise caution, the condenser has hard pipes attached that won't appreciate being twisted, so make sure these are unclipped from the chassis and be careful not to bend the bottom of the fan cowling too much as it's possible to snap it (been there, really annoying lol).
If you disconnect the main loom connection to the fans you can take the whole fan unit out of the vehicle, which will make it a lot easier to tackle the motors. You just need to lift the rad and condenser slightly so the spigots on the bottoms are clear of the plastic fan cowling, then slide the whole housing forwards to take it out, the rad and condenser can just be sat back down on the cross-member until you're ready to refit the fans.
If you decide to stick to pushing the condenser and fans apart i would advise caution, the condenser has hard pipes attached that won't appreciate being twisted, so make sure these are unclipped from the chassis and be careful not to bend the bottom of the fan cowling too much as it's possible to snap it (been there, really annoying lol).