Gear Wrench Tool Review

[mtbtim]

Hey Dudes,

I don't know if this an appropriate post for this forum and the mods will make me move it, but I figured this relates to a lot of us who do our own wrenching so I thought I'd share it here since most of the automotive videos [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I make are related to 3rd Gen 4runners.

Here's the video and Enjoy the Show!

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[brillo_76]

Another great video. Those last sockets come in handy in the rust belt. I have rounded many heads off. Actually today working in Tetanus 1. I broke 4 bolts off as the 10mm 6m x 1.0 thread bolts will rust and swell enough they just snap. I did the drill and retap method. Lots of drill bits. Easy outs and all the tap and dies are required to work on the 3rd Gen Rust belt Runners.



Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[LittleCaesar]

Nicely done Tim. GW makes good stuff. Been using their tools since 2008. Hope those stubby wrenches have worked for you guys.

For warranty work, my local Fastenal works with for me for replacement pieces. I would advise for all members to call their local one before going.

 

[MaineRunna]

Great video! I've been using GearWrenches professionally since they came out in the 90's. I was skeptical at first due to them being made in Taiwan, but 20 plus years later I am still using the original metric and standard sets I bought off my Cornwell tool dealer every day at work. I have never broken one and have added stubby and flex head ones to my toolbox. I love the 5 degree ratcheting for the tight spaces. (the flex head 14mm is good on that stupid power steering belt adjuster on the 5VZ-FE) One thing I have found is if I use the small sizes on bleeder screws, get brake fluid on them and don't clean it out well they will rust inside. Then they seize up and won't turn or freewheel in both directions.

 

[mtbtim]

Great video! I've been using GearWrenches professionally since they came out in the 90's. I was skeptical at first due to them being made in Taiwan, but 20 plus years later I am still using the original metric and standard sets I bought off my Cornwell tool dealer every day at work. I have never broken one and have added stubby and flex head ones to my toolbox. I love the 5 degree ratcheting for the tight spaces. (the flex head 14mm is good on that stupid power steering belt adjuster on the 5VZ-FE) One thing I have found is if I use the small sizes on bleeder screws, get brake fluid on them and don't clean it out well they will rust inside. Then they seize up and won't turn or freewheel in both directions.

That's good to hear they've held up for you as a professional mechanic. I love my ratchets as well. When I started looking at them, I was almost going to buy a set with less click points of engagement but then I noticed their 120XP ones that only require 3 degrees of movement to get to the next click point. I bought a whole set of them and they have proven to be a great purchase. That's interesting you mentioned using the 14mm flex head box end wrench for that power steering belt adjuster. I used mine as well for that application. That's good to know about how brake fluid will affect the ratcheting mechanisms. I usually use a 10mm offset wrench when loosening and tightening brake bleeders.

 

[mtbtim]

Nicely done Tim. GW makes good stuff. Been using their tools since 2008. Hope those stubby wrenches have worked for you guys.

For warranty work, my local Fastenal works with for me for replacement pieces. I would advise for all members to call their local one before going.

I had heard this as well from my buddy Jordan about Fastenal handling warranties for Gear Wrench products. I have a Fastenal close to my house and I'm going to ask them about this.

 

[DBR4runner]

Gearwrench makes good, solid, affordable tools. They've been my go to since Craftsmen tools got crappy. I have a select number of Snap On and Williams precision tools, but GW gets used the most.

 

[Brian.]

I've been using GearWrenches professionally since they came out in the 90's. I was skeptical at first due to them being made in Taiwan, but 20 plus years later I am still using the original metric and standard sets I bought off my Cornwell tool dealer every day at work. I have never broken one and have added stubby and flex head ones to my toolbox.

That is good to hear. I bought into Snap-On, but did it the right way... with a 50% discount (something they offer to those in trade schools, or used to). Haven't really needed to buy hand tools since that initial purchase ~30 years ago. But I've used a friends GW when my tools aren't handy and I do like the ratcheting box-end, was just concerned about their longevity.

Shame, doesn't look like they have a double box (one wrench with 8&10, 9&11, 12&14, etc..) in flex head.