GearWrench serp belt tool

[gofastman]

If you dont already have one of these, get one!
got mine at sears for $60

my only complaint is that i feel the ratchet could have less play in it, its not bad, but its not on par with my Snap On ratcheting combination wrenches

 

[wythors]

My 24" breaker bar and a socket work just fine, thank you, and they're both made in the USA.

 

[chammyman]

I used to use an identical set to that we got off the snap off man. It was very handy, I used it the most, I should have stolen it like they stole my gear.

 

[fourfeathers]

Personally, I never have quite the right angle on a 24" breaker to do what that Gearwrench set can do. Particularly on the 3/8 or 1/2 square drive holes.

 

[engnerdan]

I have been looking at getting one but was wondering waht others had to say about it.

You can't use a breaker bar or ratchet on a 98 sunfire with the 2.2 unless you jack up the engine and remove the motor mount and A/C line.

-Dan

 

[daveblank]

I have been looking at getting one but was wondering waht others had to say about it.



-Dan

You'll be glad you got one. Then you can get creative & use it for things other than belts.

 

[Fedwrench]

It's a great set that can be an excellent timesaver once you figure out which handle combination is best for your application. I would check ebay as they usually go for $35-45 often.

 

[gofastman]

My 24" breaker bar and a socket work just fine, thank you, and they're both made in the USA.

Really? you must use some sort of devil magic!

 

[paramudduck]

It all depends on what you are working on. On my Blazers the 24'' works great on a couple of the cars around here the devil himself couldn't get one to work. Like was said check the bay they go cheap there at times.

 

[Junkman]

Timely post. I need to change the belt on my 97 Ford Explorer 6 cylinder. Do I need any special tools?

 

[gotmud13613]

Timely post. I need to change the belt on my 97 Ford Explorer 6 cylinder. Do I need any special tools?

I used a breaker bar with either 13 or 15mm socket on my 94 and the same on my 01 exploder. pretty simple job maybe 10 min or so. I had to change my tensioner and idler pulley on mine so it took a while longer.

 

[wythors]

Really? you must use some sort of devil magic!

No, I have three Fords with 5.0's in them and one with a 4.6 dohc. All of them have the tensioner right up top and easily accessible. My fifth car is an 08 with the 4.6 3-valve. Honestly, I've only had the hood open twice in the two months we've owned it, but I would assume that it is very similar to the other four.

The Exploder referenced above has the same set-up and should take less than five minutes to replace the belt.

 

[kartracer55]

awesome tool, makes belts a breeze in damn near anything

 

[stioc]

So can someone show/explain exactly how it works differently than the plain socket/wrench set? The only thing I see of use is the long flat breaker-bar that could slip between the radiator and the pulleys more easily than the wrenches.

 

[Stick]

So can someone show/explain exactly how it works differently than the plain socket/wrench set? The only thing I see of use is the long flat breaker-bar that could slip between the radiator and the pulleys more easily than the wrenches.

In theory it doesn't work any differently. In practice, the little bit of extra clearance is all the difference in the world, and is the only way to fly when doing belts on transverse mounted engines.

 

[billymade]

Interesting, the Matco and Gearwrench versions are identical; I would assume the Matco costs allot more for the rebadging, though!

 

[BigK600]

I had to make my own custom tool for my 96 Town & Country. Sawed off 14 or 15mm wench, weld about 14" of 1/2" pipe to the end and then curve it just right, to get maximum throw. It works good.

 

[russlaferrera]

So can someone show/explain exactly how it works differently than the plain socket/wrench set? The only thing I see of use is the long flat breaker-bar that could slip between the radiator and the pulleys more easily than the wrenches.

As STICK mentioned, Some vehicles you NEED the extra clearance. On those vehicles without the tool it can be done, but it is a hit or miss getting the belt on easy.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have an old Craftsman/KD taht is basically an 18" stick of metal with a 3/8 square drive on one end, and some really shallow sockets and crowsfeet. Works where a breaker bar wouldn't....

 

[Jay H 237]

I bought it from Sears last year but haven't needed it yet. Just wanted to add it to my tool inventory for the future. Sooner or later I'll need it.

 

[eschoendorff]

I bought it from Sears last year but haven't needed it yet. Just wanted to add it to my tool inventory for the future. Sooner or later I'll need it.

Yes, yes you will....