lightning02
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who makes a good serpentine belt tool/kit that isn't pure junk but doesn't break the bank? i heard a lot of times the drive end breaks off.
serpentine belt tool
- Thread starter lightning02
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lightning02
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stonesg
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jon72vega
Well-known member
I recently purchased the Gearwrench tool set after going too many years without one.
It's nice, although I'll never use most of the adapters.
..
It's nice, although I'll never use most of the adapters.
..
joe_pinehill1
Well-known member
My Volvo 850 tensioner pulley has a square hole. I bought bar stock, ground to the fit, and welded the bar to piece of 1x1/8 steel
I've got a gearwrench but haven't used it yet. My daily driver is an F250 and all I need is a 1/2 breaker bar.
Check for BOGO deals on the gearwrench set, you can usually get a free set of extra long needle nose pliers with it.
http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/KDT-3680D.html
Check for BOGO deals on the gearwrench set, you can usually get a free set of extra long needle nose pliers with it.
http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/KDT-3680D.html
I like a 1/2" breaker bar for that job. They are stiffer than most "serpentine tools," just about as thin, can use sockets that I've already bought and have, and are useful as a breaker bar.
I've not been in a car yet for this task that a breaker bar wouldn't fit when a dedicated serpentine belt tool would have.
For what it's worth I keep one of the cheap Pittsburgh 1/2" bars in both of my vehicles with a rail of sockets as needed for basic stuff like changing tires or belts roadside. I don't need them often but when I do it is nice to have some serviceable tools on hand.
I've not been in a car yet for this task that a breaker bar wouldn't fit when a dedicated serpentine belt tool would have.
For what it's worth I keep one of the cheap Pittsburgh 1/2" bars in both of my vehicles with a rail of sockets as needed for basic stuff like changing tires or belts roadside. I don't need them often but when I do it is nice to have some serviceable tools on hand.
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ovrrdrive
Well-known member
I've never worked on one yet that a regular socket wrench with an extension didn't make short work of... I'm sure they're out there, but I haven't had any issues.
Gearwrench one like listed above or my second choice is the lisle.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019CQL2E/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019CQL2E/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The Gearwrench one is great. They also have an updated version with a locking flexhead ratcheting wrench.
Lang makes one that is rebadged by most of the tool trucks but, costs more than the gearwrench set.
Lisle also makes a decent set.
If you shear a 3/8 square drive off on a serpentine belt tensioner, you're either doing it wrong or using garbage tools.
I recommend buying a set that if a component was to break, they sold the individual parts to replace it, or would warranty it. many of the cheaper no name kits don't sell individual components to their kits. You get what you pay for.
Lang makes one that is rebadged by most of the tool trucks but, costs more than the gearwrench set.
Lisle also makes a decent set.
If you shear a 3/8 square drive off on a serpentine belt tensioner, you're either doing it wrong or using garbage tools.
I recommend buying a set that if a component was to break, they sold the individual parts to replace it, or would warranty it. many of the cheaper no name kits don't sell individual components to their kits. You get what you pay for.
Bobioz1
Well-known member
If you need one for your own vehicle, get one. If you do this for a living, get them all. You will use them.
fred.foobar
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Just an FYI, that Gearwrench one listed on Amazon is on sale for $35 instead of the $45-$50 it normally runs for.
The box I received on Tues had COO of Taiwan.
The box I received on Tues had COO of Taiwan.
seang81
Well-known member
I have the Gearwrench also. Very nice quality...especially at that price.
Yup that's the one.
joe_padavano
Well-known member
^^^THIS! I guess there are some vehicles that require a special tool, but every one I've worked on simply used either a breaker bar or a box end wrench.
There are a few out there like 24v 5.9's and 6.7's that are almost impossible to do without a belt tool.
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
My 20 year old E150 is only on its second belt ! I don't think I would ever use one !!
FlushingDIYer
Well-known member
You can also use a 1/2" breaker bar and a pair of quarters. Been doing that for years now!
MattVette89
Well-known member
I've used the $15 harbor freight non-ratcheting version for years with no complaints. I recently got the GW version because everyone said how great it is but I haven't had a chance to use it yet.
Strouty
Well-known member
When I changed my volvo it used a T60 torx and my gearwrench kit did not help me at all. It has worked very well on other vehicles and I have figured out how to make my own adapter to allow use of the proper torx bit for the next time. It was a real PITA with a ratchet and socket. A few people say there is a plastic cover that can be removed and that will expose a 14 MM bolt, I may see if that is true next time, but if I make the adapter, it won't matter any more.
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lightning02
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i have always used a 1/2 breaker bar but when doing FWD cars (transverse mounted engine) its sometimes a pita and something thinner would work alot better in those cases. thats why i was wanting a dedicated tool.
That makes sense to me. If your in a space jam for what your working on grab a dedicated tool that's thinner and will fit better. I've yet to run into this and was offering an alternative that might work well for you.
This is the same reason I have universal/swivel sockets despite also owning plenty of sockets and universal/swivel joints to go between them and my ratchets. I've had a couple of times that an adapter plus socket was perfect and the universal socket alone was too short and I've had a couple of times that the adapter was too long but a universal socket on a thin wrench fit and worked well. It's amazing how you can open a box and think you can tackle anything only to get into a jam where something just a TINY bit different than what you already own is really what you need to get a job done.
stg454
Well-known member
I have the Gearwrench one. I used to use the breaker bar approach but find the Gearwrench one much easier with the longer handle and ability to offset the handle in positions other than straight.
FlushingDIYer
Well-known member
I don't know why Volvo made stuff so complicated. The old style tensioner seemed like a great design. I can't imagine needing something like this to work on never Volvos... But I suppose if it makes things easier and saves you time... I suppose them the $43 price tag makes sense.
CTA-8760
Rarified27
Well-known member
Can anyone with the newer gearwrench set share the item number of the ratcheting flex wrench? I'd like to upgrade without buying the set again.
Fedwrench
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Strouty
Well-known member
My adapter will be nicer than that once it is done. The ability to ratchet when you just need that extra little bit to get the belt on or off. I also have one of those belt grabbing tools, they work very well. Some people are larger than others, my forearms are as big as some people's legs, so trying to get into these tight spots with my hands and arms just doesn't work. Transverse engines are not my cup of tea anyways, but I own a couple and have to deal with them.
Strouty
Well-known member
I am not sure that the locking flex would be that useful.
Most engine compartments have a vertical space and the tensioner is perpendicular to that vertical space, if you get off to an angle you would ram your hand into something.Rarified27
Well-known member
I am not sure that the locking flex would be that useful.
I agree, but am thinking if they saw enough demand to make it, there must be a vehicle somewhere I could encounter where the flex would be helpful. Iused to think a low profile socket set would be a good idea with a long flex head, but this set was much cheaper.
I've been using my long zero-offset spanners since i got them for this type of work and they've been ideal, plenty of length and thin enough to reach down. We have a few belt tools, they're long flat bars with a 3/8 drive at one end and a plastic handle at the top, don't know the brand. They worked well i guess.