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serp belt tool

bowlofturtle

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Jul 30, 2008
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421
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Chicago
I need to do one on a honda accord, i figure its my excuse to get one of these tools.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947098000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

VS

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941831000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

The normal non-ratcheting wrench add on. I cant imagine me ever needing the ratcheting tool :headscrat. I've done some VW 1.8T that only needed a 17mm that had wide open clearance. But my buddies accord looks to have a motor mount in the way so i might need to wiggle around it with a serp belt tool.

Any suggestions on tool for the home garage DIY-er? This could be a tool that just sits in the box or until i figure out a 2ndary use for it. :)
 
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kythri

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Jan 3, 2007
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Lebanon, OR
I own the non-ratcheting version from Sears/Craftsman. Even that, with the sockets, crows feets and extension is overkill, I've only ever needed the long/slim bar.

Works great for me.
 

DrkMtnDew

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Sep 24, 2010
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That GearWrench set is awesome IMO. especially in tight engine bays.
 

lilredex

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Apr 29, 2006
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Toronto
This is one I made to operate the belt tensioner on 3.0L (Mitsubishi) in Caravans. It allowed you to reach 'way back and get a long stroke, to release all the tension on that spring.

specwrench.jpg
 

DrkMtnDew

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This is one I made to operate the belt tensioner on 3.0L (Mitsubishi) in Caravans. It allowed you to reach 'way back and get a long stroke, to release all the tension on that spring.

specwrench.jpg

Looks like you could play a little hockey with this too. :beer:
 

tbobbo

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May 19, 2011
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Bismarck, ND
I have the gearwrench set........i love it! However it may be overkill for occasional use. Sometimes I use it even when I dont need it just to justify buying it!
 

Wrench 2201

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Feb 8, 2012
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84
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Central, IN
I bought the Gearwrench set off of Tooltopia. They have it on promo bundled with a really handy belt grabber/fisher tool that has been awesome so far. Price is around 60-65 if I remember correctly.
 

redwrench60

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Sep 10, 2011
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East Tennessee
Get the Gearwrench set. Besides having square drive and crows feet it also has low profile sockets which you can use in combination with the handles to attack hard to reach nuts and bolts. Bottom line: good for more than just belt tensioners, the other one is just for belts.
 

bgott

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Oct 31, 2005
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Houston, TX.
The Gearwrench set can be a PITA to use. I picked up this tool, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675623&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all, at an estate sale for $20. I use the BP a lot more than the Gearwrench. It's too easy to push the sockets out of the GW when it's way down in never-never land and for some reason the square drive sockets don't seem to like to grab the hole in the tensioner well.
 

illmatyk

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Sep 6, 2009
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Yigo, Guam
I have the gearwrench set and it is awesome as the others above have also stated. I paid $70ish for mine IIRC. Worth the money.:beer:
 

cotjocky

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Nov 21, 2011
Messages
392
The Gearwrench set can be a PITA to use. I picked up this tool, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675623&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all, at an estate sale for $20. I use the BP a lot more than the Gearwrench. It's too easy to push the sockets out of the GW when it's way down in never-never land and for some reason the square drive sockets don't seem to like to grab the hole in the tensioner well.

I have the same tool, a great tool, but no tool covers every car.

The OP needs to get whatever fits his car the best if you are only doing one car.
 

plung

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Jan 21, 2012
Messages
562
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N. Cali
111sbu.jpg


Here is the Honda belt tool in action today. Life is better when you have the right tools :beer:

I think any of the serpentine tool sets would work.
 
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redwrench60

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Why is the gearwrench set superior to the other types?

The gearwrench set has more adaptors, you can set it up with offset , its indexable, it's ratcheting, it can be used on regular nuts and bolts, you can use the short handle only in a tight area or add the long handle for added levreage and it breaks down for easy storage in a case........It's a great all around tensioner set.
 

volpster31

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Nov 19, 2008
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SOUTH JERSEY
i own the craftsman non ratcheting one,but i was really leaning towards the gearwrench set.i settled on the craftsman because im not a mechanic and im only gonna need it once in a blue moon.... if your gonna use it more often than not,get the gearwrench
 

junk4dummies

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Feb 15, 2012
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Redlands California
Every time I look at the set and think about getting one I ask myself why when I have all the tools that come in that set with the other sets of tools I own.

If you have a full line of tools I see no reason to own it. I guess if I were trunig a wrench evey day I would get it but I don't. I drive Ford trucks and Linclon Town Cars and engine space is not a problem.

I would never own a front wheel drive anything. Too many parts, too hard to work on and it is not any better to drive. Besides, I don't like riding or diriving little cars. Besides, most of them I need to put my head out the sun roof to get in a little car.

Cars need to go back to being simple. The more government regulations the worse it gets. My 1957 Chevy got better gas millage than some of the cars do today. Just think if they had electronic egnition and fuel injection. More moving parts might give you more HP in a small engine but it is not worth the pay off. Cars cost twice what they are worth. I have never owned a new one in my life.

Craftsman and Gearwrench are made by the same company.
The Gearwrench ones are the only way to go. That is a no brainer. Everything I have that is Gearwrench is very well made.
 

Old Donn

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Apr 26, 2009
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Michigan
Have the Craftsman. It's worked every time on every vehicle I've had to do this job on.
 

Crappycivic

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Feb 27, 2012
Messages
67
Here's an Oem set from autozone, part number 27119,
Comes with nice storage case for 29.99
Worked like a charm on our 04 accord

e8ba24ee.jpg
 
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HaroRider

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Oct 20, 2010
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New York
Bumping an old thread, I know..

Is the Craftsman USA made?
Thanks, Tom
 
Last edited:

Djstorm100

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Nov 8, 2010
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589
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Raleigh NC
I have the craftsman and I don't like how the main handle doesn't have a detent to hold the socket on like a socket wrench normally has.
 

HaroRider

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I am going to use it on a rare occasion, just want to know if it is USA made, if not Ill just pick up a HF one..
 

ybnormal70

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Jan 8, 2010
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Conway, SC
If any of you have the Craftsman serpentine tool you probably know this but....the main handle has a 3/8" drive end. All of the sockets/crows feet are 3/8" drive. The extension that attaches to the long handle to make various angles for the tool has a.....you guessed it 1/2" drive end. Meaning that none of the included sockets/crows feet will work on it. I don't have a clue why they did this. Does anyone else find this odd? It seems all of the tools of this design do it this way. I'm not sure why.

L8r,

Kevin
 

Mr.Nutcase

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Apr 23, 2009
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I am going to use it on a rare occasion, just want to know if it is USA made, if not Ill just pick up a HF one..

the HF is garbage. Broke one at work,used twice. On the third car it broke.
I would avoid the HF one. they sell some good things, but this tool is not good one.
 

skulldrinker

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Dec 25, 2011
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Bolingbrook, IL
Pretty hard to break something that has no moving parts. My $14 HF one didn't break and when you need to buy a lot of tools all at once lots of them are going to be HF.
 

MattPersman

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Apr 1, 2009
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1,656
Location
Indiana
If any of you have the Craftsman serpentine tool you probably know this but....the main handle has a 3/8" drive end. All of the sockets/crows feet are 3/8" drive. The extension that attaches to the long handle to make various angles for the tool has a.....you guessed it 1/2" drive end. Meaning that none of the included sockets/crows feet will work on it. I don't have a clue why they did this. Does anyone else find this odd? It seems all of the tools of this design do it this way. I'm not sure why.

L8r,

Kevin

Yes because a lot of tensioners are 1/2" square drive. Guess it was easier than making a 3/8 to 1/2 socket instead.
 

unslow1

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Mar 3, 2012
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Last edited:

DirtRoad

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Oct 24, 2012
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607
Location
Lowell, Mi
Ive been wanting to buy a serp tool for years but i cannot bring myself to buy it becuase i havent met a serp belt that i havent been able to remove with the tools i already have.
 
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