Brake Spring Pliers ?!

[JZiggy]

Guys, please school me on this topic. I have never used a brake spring tool or brake spring pliers, always vise grips and a lot of pain. After struggling with CR-V drum brakes last night, I realized I need to get the right tool and know how to use it.

What do I need to know?

 

[c502cid]

Plenty of you tube videos showing how.

An example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wgczpKMsEg

They are pretty easy to use and you don't need a top of the line (read high $$$) tool for non professional use.

 

[stephen9666]

Sears sells a decent-looking one. It looks like it's stamped "USA" in the pic, but when I looked at them in the store they were made in Taiwan, I think
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-brake-spring-pliers/p-00945494000P?prdNo=2

This tool is also handy.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-brake-spring-washer-tool/p-00947767000P?prdNo=1

I just kept my eyes open at swap meets and picked up an older USA made Blackhawk.


There are lots of USA made ones on ebay, if you don't need it today.

 

[Falken]

Eric The Car Guy on Youtube uses them on a Honda I believe and he is very descriptive.

I have used them by BluePoint, but found vicegrips and flat bladed screwdrivers sometimes are the only way to coax that last half millimeter to get it to pop into place over the anchor, something the pliers have a tricky time doing.

Maybe I just need to use them more...

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Falken

Maybe I just need to use them more...


Maybe not. Most pros have about 3 or 4 different ones because there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to these. Find one that fits your specific vehicle and they can be a time saver.