Tried a CV boot clamp tool from Harbor Freight and it snapped on the third axle

I picked up one of those cheap clamp pliers for $15 last month thinking it'd save me some time on a rusty Subaru Outback. Got through two axles fine but the third one the handle just bent in half, no warning at all. Had to finish the job with a pair of channel locks and a prayer on a Saturday afternoon. Anybody else had luck with those budget clamp tools or am I just asking for trouble?

3 comments

3 Comments

sandra_anderson29d ago

Ngl, I had a similar thing happen with a cheap torque wrench from the same place. It didn't snap but the clicking mechanism just stopped working halfway through tightening lugnuts on my truck. Had to borrow a neighbor's Snap-On to finish and I was so embarrassed. Those budget tools seem fine until you actually need them to hold up under real pressure. I gave up on Harbor Freight clamp tools after I watched a buddy of mine split a ball joint press in half on a Ford F-150. Guess you get what you pay for, but man it stings when it fails at the worst possible time. At least you had channel locks handy, I had to run to the auto parts store in a panic.

jones.anna6d ago

Get a warranty registration next time, they actually honor those pretty fast.

blair_dixon8d ago

Couldn't believe my eyes when I read that part about the ball joint press splitting in half! That's terrifying, I'd be freaking out if I saw that happen right in front of me.