[Fairfax 944]

I recently greased up the needle bearings on the front axle of 2002 F-350 4X4. The job took me at least 2.5 hours longer than it should have because I did not have a heavy duty pair of snap ring pliers, I destroyed the snap rings, had to drive to Manasas to buy new ones, etc.

I know I need a good/strong 90 degree snap ring pliers to change the thermostate in my 944, so I want to get a good snap ring plier set so I don't have to go through this again.

I'm looking for a good kit that has everything I could ever need. I haven't found a kit that has a really good heavy duty snap ring kit that has both straight and 90 degree pliers.

Here is a decent kit of straight heavy duty pliers, but no angled pliers.
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc4513.html


Snap-On tools are twice as expensive as I want to go. I have no problem paying a couple of hundred dollars, if the kit is totally complete. Anyone have any experience or recommendations?

[Jazzbass]

I just bought a similar set - OTC 4512:



I got these instead of the set you mention because the tips were fixed. Yeah the replaceable tips are nice if you bung one up, but I find more often than not they slip in the pliers, causing more problems. Whether this was the right choice or not remains to be seen, but so far so good. I have several OTC tools and have been happy with them all.

I get a lot of this stuff from a guy on eBay called USA Tool Warehouse. Good prices and shipping isn't too bad, esp if you get two or three things.

[Fairfax 944]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

I just bought a similar set - OTC 4512

Do you think they're heavy duty enough? I really want something that is not going to give out. I have some OTC items, and like them very much.

I agree with you about the removable tip. The smaller cheaper tips strip, break, and cause a lot of problems.
So, maybe I'll stick with the fixed tips.

[jsilverm]

Sears has a decent set of craftsman stuff. I used cheapo harbor freight stuff for the 924 thermostat. Have fun doing that with the water pump in the car. A small mirror (like a dentists mirror) will make it a little easier because you can actually see what youre doing.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by jsilverm

Sears has a decent set of craftsman stuff. I used cheapo harbor freight stuff for the 924 thermostat. Have fun doing that with the water pump in the car. A small mirror (like a dentists mirror) will make it a little easier because you can actually see what youre doing.

This is exactly what I was thinking when I read that.

Thanks for the tips on the sets. I have an adjustble pin pair as well. I do find it to be 5 min of set up for .05sec of work. Jazz, report back on your experience.

[Vicegrip]

Stringing a wire through one or both of the eyes to make handles can sometimes work in a pinch. i have a inside / outside set that has worked well for years but will not do the real big ones. I cheat the big ones by pulling them open with stainless safety wire. Helps to keep them around when they want to fly too.

[Fairfax 944]

Thanks all. Went with the OTC 4512 from Amazon.com for $38.04, shipping included.

Has all 4 size tips. Has straight and 90degrees. I like the case to keep them organized. Good price.

I like the safety wire trick. I wish I would have known that yesterday.

At least the front bearings on my truck are all nice and happy and greasy!