Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[cableguy]

I am looking to add to my small tool collection as i become slightly more confident about carrying out jobs on my cars.

My next purchase will be a breaker bar, but not sure what size would be best. The reason i need one is i need to change the cam sensor, and this involves loosening the aux belt tensioner.

What size would you suggest that can do this, but will also come in helpful for any other jobs that may need doing? I have seen 10" 16" 19" and 24" bars in 1/2 drive.

Any advice appreciated 

[Kevin Wood]

I reckon about 16" 1/2" drive is a good compromise. It'll tackle pretty much anything on an omega. Might need some scaffold pole for a hub nut, though!

Having said that, it's not so unwieldy that it won't fit under the bonnet / wheelarches, etc. and it'll fit in a decent sized tool box.

[cableguy]

That's great thanks 
Thinking about going for the Halfords professional one 

[ngrainqey]

if the get the one stamped halfrauds then if you break it, they'll replace it dont forget to take your trade card though, you save £££'s on anything halfords branded especially unless its already on offer!
alex

[TheBoy]

That's great thanks 
Thinking about going for the Halfords professional one 

Try to find a local member with access to a Halfords Trade Card

[omegod]

If you ever venture down my way give me a shout and you can abuse my Halfords card

[zirk]

Im told the 150 pc Advance Set at 1/2 price plus 10% off online with some nice offers should be around Easter, if that helps, not that far away, sign up on line or ask nicely at your local Halfraulds they should know about promo's a few weeks in advance.

 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Be aware that Halfords do the advance and a cheaper range.....the cheaper range does NOT have the lifetime warranty.

[Darth Loo-knee]

Im told the 150 pc Advance Set at 1/2 price plus 10% off online with some nice offers should be around Easter, if that helps, not that far away, sign up on line or ask nicely at your local Halfraulds they should know about promo's a few weeks in advance.

An excellent tool kit for the money. I bought one to put in the boot when we go on holiday. I can only think of a couple of extra tools to add to it. A Torque Wrench, selection of screw drivers and the breaker bar which I think the longer the better 

[Michael2.6]

Scaffold pole will weaken the breaker bar and snap it

I have too in my tool box one for light work and a 24 inch 3/4 drive for heavy work

Good for hub nuts

[cableguy]

Cheers guys 
I already have the  small 36 piece advance kit from halfords and it's been great for all the little jobs.
Had a quick look at the 150 piece kit  think that's what i will treat myself too for y Birthday 

[TheBoy]

Im told the 150 pc Advance Set at 1/2 price plus 10% off online with some nice offers should be around Easter, if that helps, not that far away, sign up on line or ask nicely at your local Halfraulds they should know about promo's a few weeks in advance.

An excellent tool kit for the money. I bought one to put in the boot when we go on holiday. I can only think of a couple of extra tools to add to it. A Torque Wrench, selection of screw drivers and the breaker bar which I think the longer the better 

I concur. It does need some 1/2" - 3/8" - 1/4" adapters though. At £100, its a good buy. I have a pair of them, which is my day-to-day toolset. At the rrp of £200, though, OUCH!

[Webby the Bear]

Yep I have the 150 piece from Halfords, from recommendations on here. To add to it I have breaker bar, torque wrench (getting a smaller nm one to accompany soon) and a 17mm socket for wheel nuts as the 17mm that's included was smaller drive than the 1/2" braker bar (or you could buy socket adapters) 

[Nick W]

A 16" breaker bar is going to seriously struggle on overtightened wheel nuts and other large bolts.
I would suggest 24" is a minimum requirement(readliy available), and a 30" is well worth considering; I would not be without mine!
The Halfords stuff is decent quality for everyday use, the only reason I've just retired my 10 year old 3/8&ratchet spanner set is that I wanted to combine it and the 1/2 set into one box. That's the 150 piece set we've been talking about. It's also sensibly priced; if it's stolen/lost etc, it's not too painful to replace.

[Kevin Wood]

A 16" breaker bar is going to seriously struggle on overtightened wheel nuts and other large bolts.
I would suggest 24" is a minimum requirement(readliy available), and a 30" is well worth considering; I would not be without mine!
The Halfords stuff is decent quality for everyday use, the only reason I've just retired my 10 year old 3/8&ratchet spanner set is that I wanted to combine it and the 1/2 set into one box. That's the 150 piece set we've been talking about. It's also sensibly priced; if it's stolen/lost etc, it's not too painful to replace.

The only thing I've struggled with using a 16" is crank pulley bolts and hub nuts but I find larger bars are too unwieldy to use on most jobs.  Each to his own, of course, but I would still recommend a 16", if you're going to have one. Of course, nothing to stop you having a 30" one in addition, but I'd suggest it would only get occasional use.