Heavy duty truck brake spring remover

[_vin_]

Hello all

I am looking to get Matco TBS81 http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/TBS81/HEAVY-DUTY-TRUCK-BRAKE-SPRING-REMOVER/ for $109 but I found that OTC has their own branded version for around $70. Does anybody use these? How do thy hold up? Is the Matco a better option for the warranty?

 

[volvo92906]

It works well. I have a tool that is used on the big return spring. That also works well. However, if youre good at the screwdriver/pliers technique for the springs that works pretty good too. I still find myself doing it that way despite having an actual tool.

By the way, the OTC one is just as good as the Matco or Snap-On one. A friend of mine has the OTC version.

Here is the other one I was talking about... A big one for you guys here... MADE IN THE USA!
http://www.pbproducts.biz/

 

[Stick]

The Matco one is just a rebranded OTC tool. You don't really need it at all though. Use a prybar to pry up on the brake shoe, and pop the roller out and away from the s-cam. To install new shoes, assemble them without the rollers, pry up on the shoes, and install the rollers/retaining spring. Just as easy, and I'm sure you already own prybars...

 

[dirtmister16]

was going to recommed the otc, i see youve looked at it. i personally see more guys with the otc branded one.

 

[kmkalf]

i put a pair of vise grips on the springs and with a prybar as leverage pull down or push up depending on abs sensor or not and remove the spring. than you can do it the same way to reinstall or use an awl or hook to put near the hole and push the spring back in. can r&r brake assemblies in about a min or so if wheels/drums are off

 

[nathan_454]

large screwdriver with a groove ground in the side of it - about 3/8" from the tip works fine for me. been doing it this way for 10 years. Once in a great while a pair of vise grips comes into play.

 

[sdguy55]

The Matco one is just a rebranded OTC tool. You don't really need it at all though. Use a prybar to pry up on the brake shoe, and pop the roller out and away from the s-cam. To install new shoes, assemble them without the rollers, pry up on the shoes, and install the rollers/retaining spring. Just as easy, and I'm sure you already own prybars...

Sounds simple that way. And it would be but I have tried on various different ones and all the ones I have done you still have to stretch the springs a good ways to get it to hook. I bought a snapon tool that's got a groove cut into the tip of a prybar that is suppose to make it easier to install but I have not had to do brakes since I have gotten it. Go.figure

 

[joedodge]

Exactly what stick said

 

[mopar01]

Exactly what stick said

Its what I do too

 

[packt]

i use one of these http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...Mastercraft+18-in.+Flat+Pry+Bar.jsp?locale=en
to knock out the little ones

 

[peterbilt89]

The Matco one is just a rebranded OTC tool. You don't really need it at all though. Use a prybar to pry up on the brake shoe, and pop the roller out and away from the s-cam. To install new shoes, assemble them without the rollers, pry up on the shoes, and install the rollers/retaining spring. Just as easy, and I'm sure you already own prybars...

Thats the s easiest way

 

[Cedge]

Peterbuilt
Pretty much SOP in our shop for 30 years. A decent tool for removing those frozen pivot pins... now that would excite a few mechanics... LOL

 

[volvo92906]

Peterbuilt
Pretty much SOP in our shop for 30 years. A decent tool for removing those frozen pivot pins... now that would excite a few mechanics... LOL

They have some for those.

 

[RV77]

IIRC OTC was the innovator of this Tool.

 

[TruckMechanic]

I have been looking at these, I usually just use vise grips.

 

[clueless]

got the matco one, see they went up in price a bit since i bought it in 08,but the otc one is the same,snapon is the same, find the cheapest one and buy it.

ive done the vice gip/prybar,found this works somewhat better,doesnt slip off the springs.

 

[_vin_]

It works well. I have a tool that is used on the big return spring. That also works well. However, if youre good at the screwdriver/pliers technique for the springs that works pretty good too. I still find myself doing it that way despite having an actual tool.

By the way, the OTC one is just as good as the Matco or Snap-On one. A friend of mine has the OTC version.

Here is the other one I was talking about... A big one for you guys here... MADE IN THE USA!
http://www.pbproducts.biz/

That looks interesting. Could you take a picture of the working end?

 

[_vin_]

got the matco one, see they went up in price a bit since i bought it in 08,but the otc one is the same,snapon is the same, find the cheapest one and buy it.

ive done the vice gip/prybar,found this works somewhat better,doesnt slip off the springs.

Have you had to warranty it?

 

[Loudpipes66]

Tooltopia recently had the OTC version on sale for around $56 if I remember correctly. Great tool and made in the USA. Works great on Q-plus but not as good on ES-II.

 

[truckdriver]

I only work on my own truck, but have always used prybar/vise grips. I love to buy new tools but never saw the use in buying the specialized tools when I can do it in about 30 sec this way.

 

[stephen4785]

The Matco one is just a rebranded OTC tool. You don't really need it at all though. Use a prybar to pry up on the brake shoe, and pop the roller out and away from the s-cam. To install new shoes, assemble them without the rollers, pry up on the shoes, and install the rollers/retaining spring. Just as easy, and I'm sure you already own prybars...

This.
I always chuckled at those prybar spring tools. Just remove the rollers and lift the bottom shoe up then grab the spring by hand.

 

[Stick]

Peterbuilt
Pretty much SOP in our shop for 30 years. A decent tool for removing those frozen pivot pins... now that would excite a few mechanics... LOL

They make presses for doing them. Simar to a ball joint press, and you can remove/install the bushings as well. I know Tiger Tool makes one, and I'm pretty sure Snap-On has one as well for anchor pins.

 

[otis66]

This.
I always chuckled at those prybar spring tools. Just remove the rollers and lift the bottom shoe up then grab the spring by hand.

This is what I do. That Matco tool is a waste of money. I have the OTC version that just collects dust in my tool box.

 

[volvo92906]

That looks interesting. Could you take a picture of the working end?

View media item 28229

 

[_vin_]

View media item 28229

Thanks for the pic.