Review on PBT 71156 Pbt Piece Brake Spring by John Springer

The idea behind this tool is correct, but the actual design is not. This was my first run on a 1996 Honda Civic with rear drum brakes. Commercially available hook brake spring pliers are not suitable, nor are special tools that attach to the retraction spring in the eye of the hook - no snap hook. I usually use needle nose pliers (not side cutters) but would prefer a method that uses a hook etc. Honda springs are relatively weak compared to some on larger vehicles with drum brakes. However, the shank of one of the hooks buckled under load when using a locking assist handle, which is required for both stability and leverage when installing a spring that has limited access and does not use a rotating pin over the truss rod system used Some vehicles means - a spring that needs to be tensioned without providing a special assembly tool. This spring hook pattern is a good idea, but the tool needs more strength - a larger shank diameter and perhaps a stronger material (a stronger alloy steel used in some forged tools). The tool worked, but the load caused the shank to bend (not straight).