Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Serpentine Belt Tool -- Which One?

First of all, thanks to all of you who helped me simply by having good material here to refer to -- I'm definitely learning from your experiences.

And thanks to Lance for having this forum so I could diagnose my broken water pump belt by searching through archives -- makes me glad I donated to the site a while back so it was here when I needed it. If you haven't supported the site lately, think about it.

Now onto the subject at hand... I want to replace my serpentine belt on my '98 SVT Contour and have been looking at wrenches... I'm guessing an L-shape configuration would be easiest to work with from above... maybe something like the KD-3680 GearWrench model, though others have recommended the KD-3860 ... Pep Boys carries a plain one for $20... Autozone rents one I hear... but I don't mind spending some dough for the right one... who's got a favorite tool, and why?

Thanks!

whichever has a thin head, though honestly you'll get more miles from a long 3/8" breaker bar. I managed to fit a regular craftsman ratchet in there.

I agree, on a good 3/8 breaker bar.


Though, personally, even though you can do it from the top, I would recommend the bottom.. SO much more room to work, and much easier to manage the added tension on the bar.

Either way, obviously, will work, and is personal preference.


Ray