quality drum brake tools?

[glendale]

what would you guys recommend for a decent home owner set of drum brake tools? i prefer in a case used is fine.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I have the matco set. No issues with it

 

[JJThrasher]

Lisle or whatever lifetime warranty ones your autoparts store carries.

 

[Fedwrench]

This astro set is rebadged by more than a few.

http://www.tooltopia.com/astro-pneumatic-7848.aspx

 

[PureLeaf]

Astro set has done good by me and its in a case.

 

[bcradio]

Now I want to get that Astro set. Seems like a really good deal at almost 25 bucks

 

[ChevyEFI]

Lisle pliers are okay.
The cheaper brand carried @ Autozone were, in my experience not okay; too easy to bend or kill the rivet. Thankfully, I seldom need them.

 

[anndel]

I have the OTC set. It's ok, hit and miss.

Just got the Snap On 131A and it's the tool to have, $20 from Ebay.

 

[mrborohachi]

Are you planning to work on imports or domestic cars?

 

[four.cycle]

I'm not really sure exactly what "drum brake tools" you are looking for, but if I may interject here:

Indestro 3427 8½" brake spring pliers (used)
$7.95 + $4.00 shipping "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IND...986596?hash=item3d1a85e124:g:xRAAAOSw8vZXOBKh

Indestro 3428 13¼" brake spring pliers (used)
$8.99 + $5.00 shipping now. 0 bids now. ends Fri. 05/20
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INDESTRO-BR...454512?hash=item41aadc8b30:g:LxsAAOSwr0ZXORct

^ we got very few of these back as "warranty" other than once in a blue moon somebody would snap that little tip off the bottom end of the handle. otherwise both were damn good units. BK

(* the other two 3428 models listed on Ebay are broken or NOT Indestro product.)

 

[joe_padavano]

I bought a KD brake tool set when I got my first car in 1974. I still use it. Can't get much better than that.

 

[nh_yota]

I bought the 3-piece Craftsman set years ago and have used it a few times. Not bad for the $10 I think I paid for the whole set when it was on sale. It came with the pliers, spoon and washer tool. I'm not sure they sell them as a kit anymore.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I've just got a cheapo set that I bought like 30 years ago.. (JC Whitney if I remember.) I don't think I've used them in like 20 years....

 

[Greg85mcss]

Don't cheap out on the pliers. I have snap ons that alone cost 5x as much as most full kits. The matco set is very nice. Craftsman actually isn't bad but no case. Not many people buy them so you can probably still get a usa made set. Look for the plastic on cardboard backing instead of blow molded plastic packaging.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nh_yota]

Instead of the specialized brake pliers you can usually get by with a pair of bent needle nose pliers to remove the spring.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I have the pliers but I've never used them. No one has showed me how lol. I learned with needle nose and vice grips

 

[Monte]

decent home owner tools from Hazet:

 

[PJNJ]

If you have any decent flea markets around you, I would check there. As drum brakes are not very big anymore, the pliers and spoons often show up at the flea market I go to in NJ. I have a couple (maybe three sets) of pliers kicking around and some adjuster spoons I got there. I don't think I have more than $5 invested. They're old but work well plus the quality seems to be pretty good. The only thing I don't have is the screwdriver style spring compressor but I have gotten by with a pliers the few times I needed one.

 

[four.cycle]

I bought the 3-piece Craftsman set years ago

there was a 4-piece Craftsman set just listed on Ebay for about $50. looked new.

also a small pair of the pliers - Duro-Chrome - listed this morning pretty cheap - about $10 bucks - but it lacks the little widget on the end of the handle - must be an earlier version of the Indestro models I posted above.

and yeah.. steer clear of the cheepie pliers - we sold those in about 5 different brands and half of them came back busted up or bent to hell.

no faster way to ruin a good pair of needle-nose pliers than doing brake jobs!
live and learn, huh?

 

[glendale]

the current cars that I am working on are a 1941 mercury, 1951 ford and a 1953 mercury, 1938 plymouth. I have the **** harbor freight set. but I am trying to upgrade all of my tools. I will look into all that you guys have suggested thank you!

 

[Siteman25]

I got a pair of cheap pliers autozone about 10 years ago, they stink, don't remember the brand, ended up cussing them a bunch and just used the needle nose pliers. I like the look of those Hazet tools! Last drum brakes I did had to replace the hardware multiple times as the parts store hardware kits were very soft, especially the self adjuster flap.

 

[unslow1]

This astro set is rebadged by more than a few.

http://www.tooltopia.com/astro-pneumatic-7848.aspx

If I didn't already have those tools in other brands I'd be buying that kit.

 

[unslow1]

I recently did rear brakes on a 40 Mercury before I sold it. I think the only special tool required was the hub puller.

 

[toolslinger]

Just out of curiosity... What are the flat bar/crowbar looking pieces in the Astro set used for?
No full set here. A set of older Craftsman pliers, and then an older, larger Wilde set for truck brake springs.

 

[Parabellum]

This is nice:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LYPZ0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[1foxracing]

Look at HJE close out section for Wilde brand. USA made brake spring pliers for $7.50, brake spring tool for $4.00 and there are others available as well.
http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/closeouts.html?brand_for_product_detail=2758

 

[Fedwrench]

Just out of curiosity... What are the flat bar/crowbar looking pieces in the Astro set used for?

Brake adjusting spoons to rotate the adjuster through a slot in the backing plate.

 

[ttpete]

the current cars that I am working on are a 1941 mercury, 1951 ford and a 1953 mercury, 1938 plymouth. I have the **** harbor freight set. but I am trying to upgrade all of my tools. I will look into all that you guys have suggested thank you!

The '41 Merc and Plymouth have Lockheed style brakes, and you'll need spring pliers for it. Adjustment is done with wrenches. When you reline these, you'll need to either overhaul the wheel cylinders or replace them. Get an older Motor's manual for more data on these.

The other Fords use Bendix style brakes, and you'll need a spring tool to remove and install them. It's just a bent piece of rod with a socket on one end. You'll also need a hold down tool to remove the springs and washers. These are adjusted with a brake spoon through a slot in the bottom of the backing plate.

 

[redmondjp]

Brake adjusting spoons to rotate the adjuster through a slot in the backing plate.

Yes. And if you are trying to back off the shoes from the drum, you need two tools through the hole - one to push the actuation lever away from the star wheel so it can be rotated in the opposite direction with the spoon. I usually use a small screwdriver to push on the actuation lever.

 

[toolslinger]

Yes. And if you are trying to back off the shoes from the drum, you need two tools through the hole - one to push the actuation lever away from the star wheel so it can be rotated in the opposite direction with the spoon. I usually use a small screwdriver to push on the actuation lever.

Huh... And here I've always just used a screwdriver on the star wheel... 'Course most of my drum time has been on late 40's and 50's tractors, and trucks, so perhaps the newer drums are trickier... Thanks, now I will have to try one of them.

 

[lbhsbz]

I've never seen the point of the pliers...they only really work with riveted shoes, which aren't very common these days. I make do with a big ****** and dikes...

Dikes to grab the end of the spring (they never slip) and the big ****** hooks around the axle or spindle to pry on the dikes and stretch the spring. Been using this combo for 20 years. Also use the little cup tool for the hold down springs, but it's loaned out to my neighbor right now.

 

[CoogarXR]

This astro set is rebadged by more than a few.

http://www.tooltopia.com/astro-pneumatic-7848.aspx

Thanks for the tip- I just bought that. Heck, it was only about $6 more than the Harbor Freight set! Ok, $14 once you add shipping, but still...

Funny how timely this thread is. I need to do the rear brakes on my van, and I've been putting it off, lol. Jobs are a little easier to start when it involves breaking out new tools

 

[ttpete]

This is the best spring tool for Bendix brakes. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQU7M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CoogarXR]

Thanks for the tip- I just bought that. Heck, it was only about $6 more than the Harbor Freight set! Ok, $14 once you add shipping, but still...

Funny how timely this thread is. I need to do the rear brakes on my van, and I've been putting it off, lol. Jobs are a little easier to start when it involves breaking out new tools

Man, I got it shipped to me already! The arrival --> http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5754890&postcount=33243

 

[WhiffySpark]

Can someone explain how to use brake pliers on a modern truck/car? I've always used files and channel locks like previously posted. Every mechanic I've met does the same thing

But I've got these shiny unused brake pliers in my box lol

 

[ttpete]

Can someone explain how to use brake pliers on a modern truck/car? I've always used files and channel locks like previously posted. Every mechanic I've met does the same thing

But I've got these shiny unused brake pliers in my box lol

Some pliers have Bendix spring tools on the end of the handles. The big one is used to rotate on the end of the spring post and picks up the spring end off the post. The other end is used to lever the spring back onto the post.

 

[Fedwrench]

Dikes to grab the end of the spring (they never slip).

Dykes may not slip but, they may cut into the spring metal leaving a notch and weakening the spring. Given the many time a return spring expands and returns in its lifecycle, I would want to damage it with dykes but, that's just me.

 

[ttpete]

Dykes may not slip but, they may cut into the spring metal leaving a notch and weakening the spring. Given the many time a return spring expands and returns in its lifecycle, I would want to damage it with dykes but, that's just me.

The proper spring tool is so inexpensive that I can't figure out why anyone would butcher the springs up that way.

 

[redmondjp]

Can someone explain how to use brake pliers on a modern truck/car? I've always used files and channel locks like previously posted. Every mechanic I've met does the same thing

But I've got these shiny unused brake pliers in my box lol

Those pliers are for removing and installing the springs that are horizontal and connect one shoe to either the opposite shoe, or to a parking brake lever or similar piece. One side of the pliers digs into the outside of the brake material on the shoe, while the other side hooks underneath the end of the spring.

Yes, you can slightly goober up the brake lining using this tool. The most common American pliers have a single sharpened point on one side. Earlier in this thread, there is a picture of an improvement on that which is basically a ring of points that similarly bite into the braking material so the force is distributed over a wider area (less likely to damage the lining that way).

 

[Jarhead0408]

I think I'll be snagging the Astro set.