Engine Support Bar / Brace

[Wamsutta]

School me on those engine support bars. I've been watching some How-To videos on YouTube.

What manufacturer makes the best one or the 2nd best one?

Kent-Moore probably makes the best one for GM, but they're around $1000 a pop.

What bugs me about the Kent-Moore is they don't have one single part number for the whole thing. Each piece has its own part number.

Do I need a 3 point bar, or can I get away with a 2 point bar?

I like the idea of having those whirley twirley gigs that you spin on top the bar for lifting up the engine as opposed to just a nut.

Car would be a 00-05 series Buick LeSabre with the transverse mounted 3800 V6.

It already has some nice factory installed lifting brackets ready to go.

 

[pbon]

I have the HF 2 point bar that I think cost about $75. Have used it on 1999 BMW M3, 2008 BMW 535xi, 2008 BMW M3, 2018 BMW M5 and a few other cars.

 

[Fedwrench]

The question is what do you want to do Merk? If just suspending everything while you swap out mounts, the two point is fine.

Really need to know the tasks at hand to make a better recommendation.

 

[Wamsutta]

I suppose I'd need to for replace the rear mount since the sub frame has to come down to do that.

I don't need the bar right now. I'm just getting GJ educated ahead of time.

 

[signcrafter]

I have the HF 2 point bar and it works pretty good. A 3 point would be better for a lot of engines. I've thought about adding a 3rd leg mad from unistrut or something but it's on the very long to do list and not a high priority.

 

[Qualitytools]

I too have the harbor freight support bar and have used it on my BMWs to support the engine while dropping the front subframe.

 

[jimindm]

I would also ask what you intend to do with it.

I have an OTC one for many years. It is three legged and has worked fine. Mine is square and has holes through out to make it very adjustable. One part just slides along some square tub

Just kind of searching around, it looks like the newer versions are round. Not sure about the adjustability would be for that.

I have ran into a few times on vans, or suvs that you do need that third leg. Sometimes the stand is just not tall enough, but a stack of towels work.

Mine is an older OTC but it resembles this one. Less that $100

ATD Tools Engine Support Bar with Arm Support 38"-61" W 700 Lb Cap (ATD-7477)

Buy ATD Tools 7477 Engine Transverse Bar w/Arm Support with an everday low price and fast shipping! ATD Tools 7477 | JB Tools

www.jbtools.com

 

[signcrafter]

Astro makes a 3 leg one. The reviews on Amazon are mixed but I have a ton of astro tools and they usually are built a lot better then comparable tools that cost double or more. It's in my Amazon list if I need a 3 leg one in the future

 

[rust in the eye]

ONLY this will do: https://shop.snapon.com/product/supplemental/Engine-Support-Bar-(3-Point)/OTC1725

 

[bwringer]

I have the HF 2 point bar that I think cost about $75. Have used it on 1999 BMW M3, 2008 BMW 535xi, 2008 BMW M3, 2018 BMW M5 and a few other cars.

Yup, this one is very sturdy and nicely made, and the price is a bargain.

However, it's not wide enough for some vehicles; I bought one a while back to do some work on my minivan, and it needed another two or three inches to work. I had to go to plan "B" and use wood blocks and a jack from the bottom.

Look at the measurements of the bar and measure your vehicle before buying.

 

[paulsomlo]

I have the OTC (round bars) three point. I looked at the HF, but the OTC is much beefier and better welds.