Belt Installation Helper Tools

[jamesemery728]

Anyone use either one of these tools? Either one more useful than the other?
Worth getting one or are they both useless? My arms are getting fatter and fatter or else clearances are getting smaller and smaller. Any comments would be apppreciated.

 

[mrshaun]

SBT26 blue point makes one now that will grab the belt and hold it.
I did sell a lot of the styles you show until the new version came out.

 

[K5blazer83]

To me, they are worthless, i use my hands wrapped in mechanix gloves.

 

[Old Donn]

I've got the Craftsman version of the double hook. Only used it twice, on my pickup and an '02 Impala. It allowed me to get the belt on the lowest pulley, (harmonic balancer), from under the hood. It's one of those tools you won't use every day, but when you need it, it makes life a lot easier.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have a Blue-Point one, similar to that in the first pic. I use it fairly often and it works. Not the easiest tool to use, but it does work.

I find it to be especially good for some Audis where you'd otherwise need to remove the front bumper and slide the radiator support forward to change the belt. Using the tool to install the belt sometimes saves you 1.5-2 hours.

 

[tatra]

bent oxy/accet welding/brazing rod...........had an assortment at one time that others would borrow instead of using the truck brand ones.........brass was the nicest to use........now this was quite a few years ago and dunno if they would be adequete for newer cars........

 

[yogitech]

I believe mine is a VIM branded. I use this tool all the time. Works extremely well in tight, low access situations. I've seen the newest Bluepoint(?) version with the clamping tab and that would be usefull aswell. You know you need one?... hehe

 

[SCscoutguy]

I have that same tool in OEM brand I believe and it does come in handy sometimes even though it is difficult to use.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have a Mac version of the one on the left. Although it takes a bit of technique to master, the tool will go where your arm and fingers can't. It is definitley worth having.

 

[srmofo]

Ive got the red one on the left. I use it all the time. For the $10 or so that it costs its worth it. Plus it makes a great back scratcher.

 

[DanCo]

I made one just like the first pic, use it all the time when swapping belts on Ford f450's. They come in handy

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I picked one up new on ebay for $5 (no-name), only after using a fellow techs, several times a week for about a couple years, they work great on FWDs when you can get your hand down to the balancer, or A/C pump, or whatever they put down on the bottom, especially on new belts that dont want to "fold" around the pulley, $5 bucks very well spent.

 

[Tatersalad]

Ive got the red one on the left. I use it all the time. For the $10 or so that it costs its worth it. Plus it makes a great back scratcher.

Same here, they're great for those hard to reach itches!

 

[jamesemery728]

Thanks to all for the comments. I will probably pick one up. I am all for making things easier even if I don't use it every day.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I was looking at one of these on the snap on truck the other day, The blue point one.

I was really unhappy with how flimsy it was, So I bough a striking pry bar handle and made my own with 3/8 cold rolled rod.

 

[caper]

SBT26 blue point makes one now that will grab the belt and hold it.
I did sell a lot of the styles you show until the new version came out.

I picked that one up a few weeks back.I like it alot,the clamping action is very convienient.I had a homemade version of the ones the OP pictured and the clamping one is way easier to work with.

 

[yogitech]

I was looking at one of these on the snap on truck the other day, The blue point one.

I was really unhappy with how flimsy it was, So I bough a striking pry bar handle and made my own with 3/8 cold rolled rod.

That looks real nice

 

[mrholeshot]

I built my own from 3/8 Chrome rod. It also does triple duty for pulling lift arm out from under the car

 

[SAM1]

I have the blue point one, sbt26. It works great! I use it on more than just belts, its also good for holding one end of a connector while pushing in the other end where both your arms can't go.

 

[SAM1]

I picked that one up a few weeks back.I like it alot,the clamping action is very convienient.I had a homemade version of the ones the OP pictured and the clamping one is way easier to work with.

I agree, it can guide the belt much better.