Serpentine belt tool?

[GrantCee]

Need to buy a serpentine belt tool. I'm not a mechanic by trade, just a guy with several vehicles who does all his own maintenance. I'll probably use the tool a couple times a year.

Given that level of use I doubt I'll ever wear even a cheap one out, but I've found that quality tools make the job easier. The question here is: what do I have to pay to get the kind of quality that makes the task more pleasant?

I've looked at HF (China), Craftsman (Taiwan), Gearwrench (Taiwan), OTC (US? not sure.) The HF seemed flimsy and not very well made, and frankly just looked like it would be a PITA to use.

The Craftsman and GW seemed to be neck-and-neck quality wise, though the included ratcheting wrench on the GW looks like it would make the job a little easier (but I already have ratcheting wrenches, so....) The OTC looks very similar to the Craftsman.

The HF was by far the cheapest of the lot; the CM was just under $30, and the others are about double that.

Given my criteria, which would be the smart buy - or is there something else I should consider?

 

[AndrewH]

Personally I was considering the GW version, I have a lot of their sockets and ratcheting wrenches, everything is high quality in my book so I'll probably go with GW this time as well.

 

[dlcwent]

From what you say, I'd probably go with a hf.

 

[JonnFX]

For your own use on a tool like this, I would go cheap.
I ended up making my own, due to space limitations.

 

[Nephronracing]

I have the craftsman one and it's worked fine the two times I've needed it. At $30 it's a good deal.

Snap-On has a ratcheting one that is really nice for $145. I just a DIY like you and couldn't justify that kind of money for something I use once a year or so.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Get the gearwrench set. Since its a tool you won't use much the gearwrench set gives you a wrench and half a pass thru set. Pretty clever since you can use the set other than doing belts. The wrench and short bar was a good move on their part since you can manipulate it the way you a want for leverage. Plus it's ratcheting.

 

[dlcwent]

I have the craftsman one and it's worked fine the two times I've needed it. At $30 it's a good deal.

Snap-On has a ratcheting one that is really nice for $145. I just a DIY like you and couldn't justify that kind of money for something I use once a year or so.

I've got the snap on. It has limitations due to the thickness. But when you can use it, they don't come much better.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Get the gear-wrench. Indispensable tool in my box, actually it recently move to my cart, due to frequent use. After using it a few times to fully get the hang of what it could do, using anything else seems like rubbing sticks instead of using a zippo.

 

[teamarctic]

Doesnt kobalt make a set very similar to the gear wrench set? For cheaper?

 

[Coach James]

The tensioner on my Grand Prix can be moved using a 3/8 breaker bar. I do have a serpentine tool from KD that I got at the Cummins traveling tool show for less than $20 I think.

Coach

 

[DodgeMech]

The gear wrench one is the ****...i paid like 150 for it(cuz it says "Matco" onto it...

Anyway, I can't live without it

 

[Nexussian]

If you can wait till the swap meet season, you can buy one from a tool gypsy like I did.

Blow molded case it came with probably cost 3 times what it's contents cost to manufacture.

Same deal though, I hardly ever have to use it, the only "difficult" ones I have get home made wrenches that go with, in case I have to change the belt out on the road.

 

[pfhWJ]

Gearwrench set its the same exact set as the matco one.

 

[DodgeMech]

Gearwrench set its the same exact set as the matco one.

Yup, even says gearwrench inside the case thing...but I paid for the matco name...a name I don't even like...oh well

 

[rtole]

I have the gearwrench, most guys at work that have the other kind borrow mine. It has held up well.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Gearwrench here I like it.

 

[rayh91]

I love my Gearwrench. I use it for other stuff where I could fit the wrench and use the leverage from the handle.

It some times is a pain in the *** to fit into a tight engine bay but it works on most.

 

[Givl Reggin]

I try to only purchase USA made tools, but even I have the Gearwrench serpentine belt tool.

 

[unslow1]

I have the Power built one. I really like it. Advance Auto stocks it.


http://www.build.com/powerbuilt-648...23743898719!&gclid=CKuvy9zf170CFfFFMgodh1cAKA

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[raddison]

I have the HF kit and it serves me just fine, it was like 16 bucks, can't beat it! Long reach, thin profile, easy on the wallet, no problems!

 

[Chadwilliam1]

If you do want us made lisle makes one.

 

[LordTom]

I don't like that the HF one does not have the hand tools warranty. If it did I would buy it. I was going to go with CM but after reading this thread I might look in to the Gearwrench set. I'm not in a rush so I have time to compare them. I wish it was easier to warranty the Gearwrench stuff.

 

[isr2kba]

Because I'm a tool who're and thanks to this thread I've just ordered the gearwrench set.

That said, for the past couple years I have assembled custom serpentine belt tools using a selection of extensions, ratchets and two Snapon fz1 3/8 x 3/8 90's. This method has worked flawlessly but has two drawbacks: 1 from a safety perspective the assembled tool has a high number of pieces with an unsettling amount of potential energy and 2 It takes a while to retrieve the tools and sometimes return to the box a second time for different sizes.

I think the gearwrench set will provide all of the benefits I enjoyed under the old method and all but eliminate the drawbacks. Thanks a lot folks!

 

[oilslick]

Lisle makes the best one, I own three , craftsman and gearwrench are the ones that collect dust.

 

[arms1970]

I try to only purchase USA made tools, but even I have the Gearwrench serpentine belt tool.

Got mine at a pawn shop for 25 bucks

 

[GrantCee]

Oilslick, how about some reasons why?

 

[NineFingerFury]

You'll love the GW kit. I use it frequently at work.

 

[signcrafter]

I have the GW set and also the lisle non ratcheting set, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PNFRZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I almost always grab the GW set just because it comes in a nice case and I've never ran into a belt it can't do. Lisle also makes a ratcheting set http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019CQL2E/?tag=atomicindus08-20 which looks alright but the GW looks like it is a little nicer.

 

[wvrailroader]

I just got the GW set at Sears for less than $38 with coupon codes, SYWR points and a gift card Sears gave me the other day when I bought a few odds and ends for work. It is currently on sale for about $53.

 

[Dberglind]

 

[sberry]

I never consider the warranty when buying something like that... I can risk 16$ but...

I can imagine some of those being tricky though especially if a guy has a huge variety. As one of the guys mentioned, he uses it at work, I assume its a shared tool? I have had a couple cars use a special tool, the rest common stuff but its stuff I own for the most part.
For 16 vs 150 I would take the 16 and gitter done, if I had a lot of cars no one is robbing you on a 40 dollar tool either. Especially if its convenient and you need it now.
Big difference here in the needs of a shop where there are lots of models and busy multiple men, worth a more complete set. Its about like some of those brake sets and ball joints, the adapters are pipes and a guy buys the whole set and uses one or 2 he really could have used a big socket for.

 

[impactsocket]

Does any one still sell the Kobalt version of the Gearwrench kit? Kobalt version is discontinued but does any online retailer still have it for sale. The Kobalt version sells for less than the Gearwrench kit.

 

[Peoria Man]

Lisle makes the best one.

I have the Lisle. It does the job.