Disk brake tool sets..

[SHOtimer]

I am looking at the harbor freight disk brake tool set here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40732

Does anybody have experience with this set? Good quality? Is their another company that maybe sells a higer quality unit.

Thanx,
Doug

 

[wood_e]

Harbor freight tools are of decent quality. I have some socket sets and breaker bars from them, they've not given me any problems. That looks exactly like the set auto zone rents out. I think the tools come with a lifetime warranty too. Harboe freight has several email coupons so you can save some there.

However, autozone has I believe only a $20 deposit on their tool sets, so if you wanted to save money just rent it and never give it back.

 

[Shoaz]

Harbor Freight is the ultimate in cheap tools, but remember, you're getting _cheap_ tools. Ask me about my $6 exploding gear puller. I have a set of spring compressors from them and you always cringe around the things because you're never quite confident they'll actually hold.

As for this brake tool kit, I'm not sure there's any functionality there that you won't get from a standard pad compressor (available almost anywhere, I think you can get them at Sears for about $10) and the little cube thingie for the rear brakes (also available in many places for about $8).

But I can't tell what this kit really does from the pic and description.

 

[jedhead]

Autozone in my neighborhood has a $30 deposit on a quality disk brake tools. Just don't return it and you have a set for $30. I was tempted, but I returned the tools.

Bob

 

[Shoaz]

Autozone in my neighborhood has a $30 deposit on a quality disk brake tools. Just don't return it and you have a set for $30. I was tempted, but I returned the tools.

Bob

Don't feel bad about not returning them, the deposits are priced so that they don't care whether you bring it back or not. Next time ask them how much it is to buy it and they'll tell you just don't bring it back. The nice thing about the "rental" part is that if you don't like it you can take it back even after using it.

I've done that with them before, where some stuff I take back (if I know I'll never use it again) and some stuff I keep (e.g., chain pipe cutter).

 

[Ace]

your better off getting a set like this to do your rear pads...those cubes just dont work on most ford's....i would personally look at the Lisle set or the OTC one...yeah they are prob a little more money...but the quality is much better..

 

[Shoaz]

your better off getting a set like this to do your rear pads...those cubes just dont work on most ford's...

That seems to depend on the model year. A thread here a ways back seemed to reveal that the people who've had trouble with the cubes were mostly early GenIs, and people with later GenIs or GenIIs didn't have much trouble. I've used one of the most el-cheapo versions of the cube on my GenII with no trouble.

The OP's sig indicates he has a GenII, so, cube thingie may work fine.

FWIW, YMMV, etc...

 

[DHMag]

Don't feel bad about not returning them, the deposits are priced so that they don't care whether you bring it back or not. Next time ask them how much it is to buy it and they'll tell you just don't bring it back. The nice thing about the "rental" part is that if you don't like it you can take it back even after using it.

I've done that with them before, where some stuff I take back (if I know I'll never use it again) and some stuff I keep (e.g., chain pipe cutter).

Eric, thats not completely true. after i terminated my employment there, they would not allow me to return a set of air holds(thread into spark plug hole, attach air hose..for valve spring removal without removing the head). the air hold actually damaged my cylinder head because of a square shoulder on the tool and a taper on the head. when i prompted them with a "makeshift" bill for labor and machining, they refunded my money. apparently the policy is they will exchange it but wont refund it, even if it broke. yeah, why would i want another tool of the same brand when the prior tool broke ?

oh, and the "makeshift" bill ? it was a reciept from an exhaust shop with a vague description and a total of $155. it was actually a receipt for exhaust work on my dads Dodge.

 

[SHOtimer]

your better off getting a set like this to do your rear pads...those cubes just dont work on most ford's....i would personally look at the Lisle set or the OTC one...yeah they are prob a little more money...but the quality is much better..

I have tried the cube, I hate that blasted thing. The pads that I am taking off I put in with the cube and it was a miserable experience, which is why I am looking into a tool set now.

Where would I be able to look inorder to find a Lisle or OTC set?

Doug

 

[jedhead]

I have tried the cube, I hate that blasted thing. The pads that I am taking off I put in with the cube and it was a miserable experience, which is why I am looking into a tool set now.

Where would I be able to look inorder to find a Lisle or OTC set?

Doug

Lisle:
http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&q=lisle+rear+disc+brake+tool&btnG=Search
OTC:
http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&q=OTC+rear+disc+brake+tool&btnG=Search

Bob

 

[Ace]

I have tried the cube, I hate that blasted thing. The pads that I am taking off I put in with the cube and it was a miserable experience, which is why I am looking into a tool set now.

Where would I be able to look inorder to find a Lisle or OTC set?

Doug

any quality parts house(i.e. NAPA or such)should be able to order one of these for you...

 

[SHOZ123]

I just got the HarborFreight set this week. Looks like a good sturdy set that will work on any car. Don't get it off of eBay like I did as it cost $5 more

 

[SHO#7]

I have a set just like the Harbor Freight. I bought a Mac one, just because he was here with it when I needed it. But the HF one looks just fine. They make rear brakes "fun" again.

Mike

 

[SHO Type U]

Autozone in my neighborhood has a $30 deposit on a quality disk brake tools. Just don't return it and you have a set for $30. I was tempted, but I returned the tools.

Bob

Normally comes with lifetime warr too.