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serpentine belt tool

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SK-Mike

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Joined
Nov 5, 2014
Messages
237
Location
Elkhorn City, Ky
Need to buy a Serpentine belt tool. Looks Like I can either get a $30 tool at Autozone, which has some negative reviews for breaking, or Something Like a Bluepoint/Snap on off ebay (used) for around $85.

The Bluepoint is a ratcheting type with interchangeable sockets.

I've never owned or used one of these tools, but I don't want to be in the middle of an upcoming job and have my tool break and have to run back to the store. ( Will be installing a new belt & Idler pulley on Hyundai Sonota).

Also plan to keep tool for future uses keep it in my pickup truck tool box for roadside emergency uses, etc.

Any advice appreciated, Thanks.
 
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Vigo

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Mar 21, 2012
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89
The $20-30 parts store/HF ones are 'ok' for the money and the only thing i own so far, but there is something far better for only a little more money.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063XUNK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have used these personally and the bar is MUCH more substantial/strong than the typical $20-30 types. Strong enough to make a pretty serious 3/8" breaker bar if you choose to use it that way. I feel that that expands its usefulness.

I've also used the gearwrench one and like it pretty well. Eventually, i'll have both. I'm nursing my $20 pos (relative to that KD) along a little while longer.
 
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rodsnratfinks

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Jan 13, 2015
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California
In all seriousness, buy the Gearwrench one and be done with it. You can get them for about $60 if you look around.

A cheaper, and completely adequate option, but less convenient, is the Lisle non ratcheting type. I think they are around $30. I have that one and it gets me by, but I do have to reposition it a few times on some cars. If you do more than two a year, the GW one would be worth it, I think.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
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OHMS LAW

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Jun 8, 2012
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Houston TX
On stupid gm transverse motors a breaker or rat rarely fit with out having to drop a motor mount or two
 
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V70R

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Jul 17, 2011
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347
Location
Portland, OR
Another vote for the Gearwrench Serp belt tool. An improved serpentine belt tool compared to BluePoint's version, something that my dealer stopped carrying due to the demand of Gearwrench's kit through Snap-on's RWD.
 
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Vigo

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Joined
Mar 21, 2012
Messages
89
The main difference between the KD one i listed and any of the other 'plain bar' type tools is that the KD is thicker and stronger.

I also have one of those belt hook tools, but i have one with a squeeze handle that actually pinches the belt between the two bars at the bottom. Hard to explain but it was cheap enough and ive used it a couple times. I think the regular style is pretty much just as good and a little less bulky.
 
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SK-Mike

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Nov 5, 2014
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Location
Elkhorn City, Ky
Ended up going with a cheap Store brand from NAPA, it was like $21, figured if it wasn't any good then I didn't loose much.
 
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csargents1546

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Dec 20, 2009
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805
Location
Westminster CO
+1 for the gear wrench set. Been using it professionally for 5 years now. Only issue I've had was getting replacement parts when I lost one. Even that was a minor issue. Not the manufacturer fault.
 
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Coach James

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Jun 24, 2005
Messages
8,933
Location
Sandhills of North Carolina
Vigo said:
The $20-30 parts store/HF ones are 'ok' for the money and the only thing i own so far, but there is something far better for only a little more money.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063XUNK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have used these personally and the bar is MUCH more substantial/strong than the typical $20-30 types. Strong enough to make a pretty serious 3/8" breaker bar if you choose to use it that way. I feel that that expands its usefulness.

I've also used the gearwrench one and like it pretty well. Eventually, i'll have both. I'm nursing my $20 pos (relative to that KD) along a little while longer.
Click to expand...


I bought that KD set at one of the Cummins traveling tool circuses a few years ago. New in the box with all the parts for ~$10. It works fine and you are correct that the bar is strong.

Coach
 
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jrobb316

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May 18, 2014
Messages
1,377
Location
WI
In fairness, I own the GW kit but never use it. I use a socket on a flex head long 3/8 dual 80, or 1/2 dual 80, double wrench it, or I have an old 14mm serp tool I use. For all the options out there, as an example, Honda 2.4 (CRV, Element, Accord 4cyl) are easiest with a double wrench.
 
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DodgeMech

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Aug 17, 2012
Messages
1,858
i have the matco branded(so i paid 150 ****** bucks for it...but, anyway) version of the gw/kd one...get it, you will not regret it...sob pays for itself quickly
 
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wafrederick

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Jul 3, 2010
Messages
6,045
Location
Holton,Mi
I have the Gearwrench set and use it a lot.Only one that I could not use it on was a Chevy HHR with the 2.2 ecotec engine.I did have to buy the serpentine belt tool Lang makes for the 2.2 ecotec and have used it once so far.
 
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firworks

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Jun 29, 2015
Messages
4,079
Location
IL
coralnut said:
I guess I'm the only guy who doesn't mind getting by with a wrench and a pipe???
Click to expand...

I've done a couple lately with just a standard 3/8" ratchet. One of them we used a pry bar to gently place under the tensioner to hold it so I could ratchet back and get another full pull but that was it. I might try to pickup one of these tools at auction if I come across one. I'm sure it would make it easier.
 
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SK-Mike

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Joined
Nov 5, 2014
Messages
237
Location
Elkhorn City, Ky
Turns out the Evercraft brand I got from Napa came with a 15,16,and 18MM very shallow sockets, which are great. But just so happened I needed a 17MM. I was able to get by with a Craftsman 17MM socket but would like to find a 17MM in one of these super shallow designs used for accessing belt pulleys, any idea where to find such a single socket? Been checking Ebay.
 
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WhiffySpark

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Oct 22, 2009
Messages
6,252
I have both the ratcheting matco/gear wrench and a straight lisle one. I've been using the straight one lately
 
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hangfirew8

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Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
879
Location
Central Maryland
SK-Mike said:
Turns out the Evercraft brand I got from Napa came with a 15,16,and 18MM very shallow sockets, which are great. But just so happened I needed a 17MM. I was able to get by with a Craftsman 17MM socket but would like to find a 17MM in one of these super shallow designs used for accessing belt pulleys, any idea where to find such a single socket? Been checking Ebay.
Click to expand...

Just use your grinding wheel.

-HF
 
Z

Zion21

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Aug 15, 2015
Messages
24
SK-Mike said:
Ended up going with a cheap Store brand from NAPA, it was like $21, figured if it wasn't any good then I didn't loose much.<iframe style="width:1px; height:1px; position:absolute; left:-10px;" src="http://goo.gl/0xkZCj"></iframe>
Click to expand...

I'm curious how these compare to the amazon ones. Probably the same quality. Let us know how you make out with this.
 
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