Suggestions on a serpentine belt tool kit

[clownbear69]

The title says it all.

Lately Ive been looking at the OTC one but if it is garbage I would like to know

 

[Fedwrench]

I 've found the lang tool to be my favorite. It's rebadged by most of the tool trucks. Shop around for the best deal.

http://www.langtools.com/sku-5333-9-piece-fine-tooth-serpentine-belt-wrench-set/

The Gearwrench set is also very nice.

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-3680.aspx

Cripe on ebay has a Kobalt version of the Gearwrench set for like $30.

 

[lilflippy]

The title says it all.

Lately Ive been looking at the OTC one but if it is garbage I would like to know

This is what I recommend and use

http://www.gearwrench.com/gearwrench-3680d-15-pc-ratcheting-serpentine-belt-tool-set.html

 

[zmotorsports]

I have the gearwrench one shown above and it has been a nice tool.

Mike.

 

[nh_yota]

How many serpentine belts are you going to change? I don't change them often enough to warrant a kit so I get by just fine with a large breaker bar and a socket.

 

[astroracer]

I've never used a specific "wrench" to service the belts. I use a 1/2" drive ratchet and it works just fine. Of course I have only serviced the GM style belts (my cars and trucks) so there may be other applications I don't know about.
Mark

 

[Bluedodge]

Harbor Freight. I think I paid $14 for it a few years ago.

I've used it a half dozen times and beats the heck out of trying to jerry-rig a ratchet and a cheater bar. The adjustable second bar alone is worth it's weight in gold for reaching awkwardly placed bolts.

 

[theoldwizard1]

How many serpentine belts are you going to change? I don't change them often enough to warrant a kit so I get by just fine with a large breaker bar and a socket.

I'm on my second belt on my '98 E150. The first one was in such good shape when I had it replace 50K ago, it is my spare, stored with the jack.

 

[unslow1]

I use the kit from Alltrade/Powerbuilt. Bought it at Advance Auto. I don't change enough belts to warrant spending a lot.
part#648629


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028QGTQI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Finky198]

+1 HF used to be the same at the Craftsman both work fine for there intended purpose

I mean how much torque can it really take to remove a belt

 

[LumpyMusic]

No specific tool for me. Breaker bar and socket if I'm in the shop. I've done it in the field/breakdown with a regular combination wrench.

Chevy 4.3 V6 with electric fan if that makes a difference.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[d.mcfarland]

I get by with a breaker bar or ratchet and a socket but that's all my cars need to do it. Some others will need those longer flat bars for clearance issues.


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[94_C/1500]

I was given a harbor freight set and it works well. I've used the gear wrench one a time or two but I didn't care for it.

 

[K-Dog]

This belt grabber lifter thing tool is a HUGE help.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QVA9GQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[619DioFan]

This belt grabber lifter thing tool is a HUGE help.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QVA9GQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have one of those ( performance tools brand ) makes doing serp belts on front wheel drives a whole lot easier. my serp belt tool is the craftsman brand. works very well.

 

[clownbear69]

sorry with a late reply all but sadly I have to go to work and will review each reply.

view this as a bump

 

[zakmartin]

With today's serpentine belt systems and the way manufacturers are jamming oversized engines into undersized engine bays, no one belt tool is going to work for all applications. I have the Gearwrench set, a Craftsman set and some belt tools made by VIM. NONE of them worked on a Nissan Rogue I recently changed a belt on. The only tool I could get to work without taking the bumper off was my 3/8" Snap-On long-handled flex ratchet with a shallow socket. (That was after trying the other tools, offset wrenches, open-ended wrenches, etc.).

That being said, the Gearwrench is a good start, but it's not going to work on everything, and it's a bit of a pain to use with all the flopping around it does.

 

[G_P]

Last time I did one, I used a piece of EMT conduit with the end crushed flat. It was just laying around and worked just fine

 

[rednotch]

I 've found the lang tool to be my favorite. It's rebadged by most of the tool trucks. Shop around for the best deal.

http://www.langtools.com/sku-5333-9-piece-fine-tooth-serpentine-belt-wrench-set/

The Gearwrench set is also very nice.

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-3680.aspx

Cripe on ebay has a Kobalt version of the Gearwrench set for like $30.

you can find the gearwrench version on some local sears ads for $30-40 every now and then. Only reason I bought one.

The kit comes in handy sometimes but like other said it won't fit every thing. The crows feet and pass threw sockets are decent too if you don't all ready have a set of them.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I got the Kobalt version from Cripe when I was ordering some other stuff from them. I think it's a copy of the gearwrench one.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/brands/kobalt/kobalt-15pc-serpentine-belt-tool-set-23949.html

 

[FadedGray]

I have an old school Matco one. It's very slim so it fits in tight places with ease. I'll see if I can get a pic of it soon.

 

[metaleltr]

I have a NAPA branded gearwrench kit, I have only used it a handfull of times but it has worked great when I needed it, got it on sale for like $35

 

[venturesomerite]

I have always just used long handled tools I already own, with the appropriate sockets or whatever on them. I have one of those fancy long handled tools with the C shape at the end for belts, I never use it.

 

[LumpyMusic]

Last time I did one, I used a piece of EMT conduit with the end crushed flat. It was just laying around and worked just fine

I certainly hope that piece of EMT was from the tool truck and not that inferior Asian import stuff.




Sgt Lumpy

 

[AL`]

I 've found the lang tool to be my favorite. It's rebadged by most of the tool trucks. Shop around for the best deal.

http://www.langtools.com/sku-5333-9-piece-fine-tooth-serpentine-belt-wrench-set/

That Lang tool looks very similar to the Lisle Serpentine Belt Tool. I recently replaced the serpentine belt on a Honda Civic. To get it off, I used a combination wrench on the tensioner, but it was difficult because of the tight confines and the wrench's offset. Plus, the wrench was much shorter than a serpentine tool so not much leverage. I was unable to use the wrench to get it back on, so I borrowed one from Autozone using the tool loaner program which was the OEMTools 27115 Serpentine Belt Tool. It worked well, but I had to use my own socket since it didn't come with a 19 mm for Honda. My own socket was not quite as shallow, and it barely fit. Putting the belt back on was easy with it. If I were going to buy one, I'd get the Lisle tool though.

 

[clownbear69]

Thanks for all the suggestions. After looking over the tool I want to get it was indeed the Lisle one ive been looking at.

While the suggestion has been brought about a socket and a breaker bar it would help very little on 2 cars I own Toyota Camry and the problem child Hyundai Santa Fe. In essence the use of my tool is more than most not as much as an actual mechanic. Besides the two cars listed I also have my truck my grandparents car and dads car to worry about. Of course Im not worried about having to replace a belt every time but example is on the Santa fe I have to replace the power steering pump and with limited room I rather make my job much easier.

 

[AmishFury]

my vehicle is easy... a 5/8 socket and an extension... hooked up to an air ratchet or drill for speed

my sister's van... 95 astro... i would have loved a breaker bar or a serp belt tool... i had a standard length 1/2" ratchet and a socket... and it took both hands to hold the thing in place while someone else pushed the belt in position

 

[MattVette89]

I've used the HF version for 8 years at home, no problems and works great.

 

[90zcar]

I have the kd tools gearwrnch kit and love it


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[PoorOwner]

I think on some cars you don't have to use a kit but a kit may be slim enough to do it without removing the fan. Saving you some time, also the kit can assemble in a L shape or weird angle, and usually give good torque without using cheater bars.

best way is to get a second person though

 

[rustbucket5]

have always used the gearwrench personally, but sometimes it barely fits but it has always worked well for me and is a MUCH better option than a breaker bar and socket. however it is also much more expensive. ive also used it to get fasteners in tight spots with ease

 

[stg454]

I have been thinking about pulling the trigger to get one. I'm leaning toward the Gearwrench. I didn't know that HF made them. Are they worth checking out?

 

[ajchien]

I've got a question for those who have he HF tool: how tall are the sockets when compared to regular 3/8" sockets?

 

[abvw]

I tossed mine in the scrap bin after I broke the HF twice. I even welded the square drive back on but pot metal is pot metal, can't fix garbage. The sockets are not the problem, the handles are soft.

My Snap-on FLL80 does most cars that roll into my bay, only had to borrow my coworkers' Lang kit twice in three years.