Overpriced specialty tools

[Blacknwhitepit]

Just got a 2.0 DOHC Mitsubishi engine that needs a new timing belt (Belt jumped and bent the #4 cylinder exhaust valve(s)), and have an additional engine that doesn't even have the timing belt or B Belt on it.

It seems as though many techs do not check the Tensioner properly and just strap a new belt on it (As is the case with the engine that has the jumped belt).

In order to do the job right, I wanted to buy the MD998738 and the MD 998752 tool.

I checked the NAPA store, Pep Boys...You name it. For at least rental on this simple tool. Nobody even has it.

The best I have been able to find on the MD998738 is to buy one online for $33.50 Shipped!

This is the MD998738
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/timingtool.jpg

Simply a long bolt!! I have read websites where guys have made their own; only to have it break or cross thread. So fabrication is out. I Guess I am stuck with this one.


The other tool is this MD 998752. At least OTC made this one. I got it for $16 delivered.

This is the MD998752
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/otc-7997.gif

The snap on guy sells these in a set with a couple of other tools for $345.00!!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=68769&group_ID=1552&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

$33.00 for a bolt has to be the biggest ripoff for a specialty tool that I have ever had to buy.
-BWP

[bmwpower]

If you think that's bad, you don't even want me to go into what the BMW specialty tools cost.

[wilbilt]

Specialty tools are like the "orphan drugs" you hear about for obscure diseases. Not enough demand to justify high volume production (and a lower price), but when you need it, you need it.

Often, you don't know what the specialty tool looks like, so you don't know that you could have built it for $1.95 in scrap until after you bought it.

There have been several lots of specialty automotive tools on ebay recently. I watched a couple that contained a few tools I could use, but also many I would never need. I guess you just need to balance the importance of needing the tool vs. the cost vs. doing without it.

[ImportTuner]

Just got a 2.0 DOHC Mitsubishi engine that needs a new timing belt (Belt jumped and bent the #4 cylinder exhaust valve(s)), and have an additional engine that doesn't even have the timing belt or B Belt on it.

It seems as though many techs do not check the Tensioner properly and just strap a new belt on it (As is the case with the engine that has the jumped belt).

In order to do the job right, I wanted to buy the MD998738 and the MD 998752 tool.

I checked the NAPA store, Pep Boys...You name it. For at least rental on this simple tool. Nobody even has it.

The best I have been able to find on the MD998738 is to buy one online for $33.50 Shipped!

This is the MD998738
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/timingtool.jpg

Simply a long bolt!! I have read websites where guys have made their own; only to have it break or cross thread. So fabrication is out. I Guess I am stuck with this one.


The other tool is this MD 998752. At least OTC made this one. I got it for $16 delivered.

This is the MD998752
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/otc-7997.gif

The snap on guy sells these in a set with a couple of other tools for $345.00!!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=68769&group_ID=1552&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

$33.00 for a bolt has to be the biggest ripoff for a specialty tool that I have ever had to buy.
-BWP
You must have the 4G63 turbo motor; the regular Mitsubishi 420A (used on Eclipse RS/GS) motor does not require any special tools ..

[Deafautotech]

Just got a 2.0 DOHC Mitsubishi engine that needs a new timing belt (Belt jumped and bent the #4 cylinder exhaust valve(s)), and have an additional engine that doesn't even have the timing belt or B Belt on it.

It seems as though many techs do not check the Tensioner properly and just strap a new belt on it (As is the case with the engine that has the jumped belt).

In order to do the job right, I wanted to buy the MD998738 and the MD 998752 tool.

I checked the NAPA store, Pep Boys...You name it. For at least rental on this simple tool. Nobody even has it.

The best I have been able to find on the MD998738 is to buy one online for $33.50 Shipped!

This is the MD998738
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/timingtool.jpg

Simply a long bolt!! I have read websites where guys have made their own; only to have it break or cross thread. So fabrication is out. I Guess I am stuck with this one.


The other tool is this MD 998752. At least OTC made this one. I got it for $16 delivered.

This is the MD998752
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w209/blacknwhitepit/otc-7997.gif

The snap on guy sells these in a set with a couple of other tools for $345.00!!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=68769&group_ID=1552&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

$33.00 for a bolt has to be the biggest ripoff for a specialty tool that I have ever had to buy.
-BWP


I work in Chrysler dealership and have same engine in Chrysler vehicle in old time like Sebring in 1998... but i got the custom tool to be longest bolt to do timing belt tenioner to be move to remove belt and tight it the belt while torque the tensioner bolt. i paid 20 dollars at ebay. it is work good. :thumbup:

[Deafautotech]

But my work have a lot of special tools to do almost everything for 2002 and less because new models that take long to have special tools shipping to my work from factory.... i use speical tools to do the repair works....

[pearltsi]

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/timingbeltNOTE1.html

[pearltsi]

or this one http://www.jayracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=37

Ive been around quite a few dsm's :)

[pearltsi]

and also

http://www.jayracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=48

Sorry for posting 3 times

[wythors]

In my mind, there's a huge difference between overpriced and expensive. If you need that specific, high-dollar tool to complete the job and there's no other way to do it, then the tool is simply expensive. If you need a tool that costs $10 at Sears and $228.42 from the tool truck, then the tool truck is over priced. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to spend $50 for the right tools to do the job.

[Piper]

I completely relate to this subject. I feel as though I'm always buying something that I'll need "only a few times". My only comfort is the fact that if I was to take my car to a shop to have the work done the cost would be substantially higher than the cost of parts plus this overpriced tool. So, ultimately I feel I'm ahead dollars and cents by buying albeit an overpriced tool.

Piper

[Blacknwhitepit]

or this one http://www.jayracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=37

Ive been around quite a few dsm's :)

Thanks for the link :)

This should be around $14.30 right to my door.

-BWP

[cc_rider]

As an engineer, I think requiring special tools is often a case of sloppy design. Cars should be designed to allow a well-equipped mechanic to accomplish most everything. To be fair, the tool that started this thread appears to be a length of all-thread. That's something a mechanic might reasonably be expected to have, or get easily. It's probably metric, but Mcmaster can get you metric all-thread in a day, two max.

The flip side is, a well-equipped mechanic has tools most of us would use once in a blue moon. Those little fuel line tools, for example, or an OBD scanner. Sometimes those specialized tools are simply time-savers, where a wrench and screwdriver would work just fine but take longer.

As a product design team, we spend a lot of time working out exactly how products will go together (and come apart). They're not as complicated as cars, true, but we don't have teams of engineers designing them either; it's usually just one lead engineer. We design mostly plastic parts, which have a whole 'nother set of design issues: designing the PART is easy, but figuring out how the MOLD will work is the hard part! It's funny how people use plastic parts every day and never think of it, but show me any plastic part and I can tell you how the tool (mold) works, what the tool cost to make, and how much the part cost to produce. Most people have no idea what goes into design.

But since I DO know, I know special tools are the result of two possibilities: 1) tamper-resistance, such as those fuel connectors, and 2) incomplete design of the assembly and disassembly process. Oh, I forgot the time-saving aspect, that's 3). As an engineer I should be better at math...

Happy Motoring!

chris

[mike944]

This is the worst one i've ever seen.

Porsche 944/928/968 timing belt tension gauge. Current price: $600 (I wish i had a better picture) http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/images/engine/944_belt_tensioning_tool.jpg

This thing is quite a precision instrument though. Must have been built by a swiss watchmaker.

The timing belt is a known problem-area for these cars, and failure causes complete destruction of the top-end, so most people don't F around, and use the factory tool, either by taking it to a shop, renting, or buying one.

[kartracer55]

Specialty tools kind of suck, but there are usually ways around them. BMW says I need some special tool to do a rear wheel alignment. My answer? Dead blow hammer and a prybar. Just as effective, doesnt damage anything and I didnt have to buy any specialty tools.

Jim

[Deafautotech]

In my mind, there's a huge difference between overpriced and expensive. If you need that specific, high-dollar tool to complete the job and there's no other way to do it, then the tool is simply expensive. If you need a tool that costs $10 at Sears and $228.42 from the tool truck, then the tool truck is over priced. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to spend $50 for the right tools to do the job.

yes i am agree with you. i will pay money if it need speicla tool and use it often in my work then i can make good money.... tool make you a money if work in shop.

[russlaferrera]

Was the bolt hardened? That would increase the cost a $ or 2. With the problems you stated others were having. You may be ahead of the game.

[ron in sc]

If you think that's bad, you don't even want me to go into what the BMW specialty tools cost.

That's for sure. I have quite a few special tools for a couple of other German vehicles, Mercedes and Porsche; nearly all the special tools are Klann, Hazet or Stahlwille and they really are expensive altough they are very high quality.

[bmwpower]

Just bought this. I must be tool crazy. For removal and replacement of rear subframe mounts on a bunch of different BMW's. Cost $400.

[OctaneMotorsports]

Just bought this. I must be tool crazy. For removal and replacement of rear subframe mounts on a bunch of different BMW's. Cost $400.
:shocking:

I guess if you need it, you need it.

I personally make my own specialty tools 75% of the time, like this clutch puller for my kart engine:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/octanemotowrench/clutchpuller.jpg

Only cost about $6 to make, not including the $20 I had to pay the machine shop guy to use his equipment :( Oh well, I made six of them, so I can sell the rest and make some good money off of them :beer:

[bmwpower]

:shocking:

I guess if you need it, you need it.

I personally make my own specialty tools 75% of the time, like this clutch puller for my kart engine:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/octanemotowrench/clutchpuller.jpg

Only cost about $6 to make, not including the $20 I had to pay the machine shop guy to use his equipment :( Oh well, I made six of them, so I can sell the rest and make some good money off of them :beer:

Unfortaunely, I don't have the luxury. I wish I did.

Part of my reasoning is that it's going to take time to make the tool or do the job without it - time I could be doing other stuff, like playing with my kids.

Doing the job without this tool a hacksaw, a drill and a lot of time/patience.