34 September 2008

35September 2008

BRINGING HOME THE

GOLD!BRINGING HOME THE

GOLD!Each year the call goes out to the

world’s automotive tool designers,manufacturers and suppliers. Themessage is simple: Send us your latestand greatest—tools that are truly newand innovative. Show us something

that makes us say: “Wow! We’ve never seen anythinglike this before.” Besides medal-worthy originality,there’s only one other criterion that must be met forconsideration: The product must have been intro-duced between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

MOTOR’s annual Top 20 Tools competition is now inits 17th year. As in years past, we were impressed bythe quality and ingenuity of the entries we received.We offer our sincere thanks to all companies that sub-mitted candidates for consideration, and special con-gratulations to each of this year’s winners. Withoutfurther ado, we proudly present the entries that cap-tured the gold in 2008.

BY THE EDITORS OF MOTORBY THE EDITORS OF MOTOR

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A prybar is asimple, straightfor-ward tool. However,because the arc ofthe head relative tothe handle rarelyseems to be just rightfor whatever you’retrying to pry on, youalso may try to com-bine it with a screw-driver or other handtool. So a prybar withan adjustable-anglehead is one of those“Why didn’t some-one come up withthis before?” tools.

Press in one sideof the Indexing PryBar’s shaft in thehead to release theinternal latch, and

the head can be piv-oted through a rangeof 180° with 14 lock-ing positions. Be-cause the prybar ismade in six sizes(fixed lengths of 8,10, 16, 24 and 33 in.and an adjustablelength with a rangeof 18 to 29 in.), atechnician alwayscan select the rightone to apply theneeded amount ofprying force no mat-ter how tight thequarters. The tip ofthe head of the 8-in.model also is recom-mended as a pick forengine and axle oilseals.

This portable laser wheel alignment system gives tech-nicians a fast and easy-to-use system that provides pro-fessional results, even on surfaces that aren’t level. Thelaser toe gauge canmeasure toe in lessthan two minutesin the shop or inthe parking lot. Toegauge accuracy of.004 in. is promisedand the caster/cam-ber gauge can alsotake measurementsin seconds.

The alignmentsystem can beused on wheels upto 28-in. tall, andis capable of align-ing trucks as wellas cars. This equip-ment is well-suit-

ed for the repair shop that can’t dedicate a bay to analignment rack, or has been subletting its wheelalignments.

Portable Laser Wheel Alignment System by Advantage Wheel Alignment

36 September 2008

Indexing Pry Barsby GearWrench – Danaher Tool Group

Conventional align-ment systems requirethe technician to makemultiple “laps” aroundthe vehicle, slowing pro-ductivity. The PowerBayExpress Alignment sys-tem automates and inte-grates key steps of thealignment process tosave time and allowshops to perform morealignments per day.

Alignment measure-ments are collected byHS401 HawkEye sen-sors, featuring high-res-olution digital camerascapable of deliveringmeasurements in less than three minutes. The Pow-erSlide system communicates directly with thealignment console to lock and unlock turnplates andslipplates as needed through the alignment process,

without any input fromthe technician. There’sno need for multipletrips around the vehicleto remove and replacelock pins. The plates arealso automatically lockedin place when the rack islowered, preventing po-tential damage fromdriving a vehicle off thelift with the plates unse-cured. Inflation Stationautomatically sets tirepressure for each wheelsimultaneously. Simplyset a preselected tirepressure at the consoleand attach an air hose

integrated into the lift at each wheel. Inflation Sta-tion automatically detects the connection and beginsto fill or bleed the tires to the preselected pressurein seconds.

PowerBay Express Alignment by Hunter Engineering

Twelve-volt circuit testers comein many designs, from the sim-plest with its pointed probe to themore elaborate pliers types thatsafely puncture a wire for thosesituations where a connector ter-minal isn’t accessible. A techni-cian often doesn’t know what he’llneed when he heads for the un-derhood or underdash area, butwith the No. 22850 Circuit TesterPliers, he’s covered both ways.

The tester is a pair of circuitpliers, with a V-section in one jawto cradle the wire, so that whenthe jaws are closed a short punc-ture probe in the opposite jawgoes through into the center ofthe wire. If the technician canreach a connector, he flips out a hinged probe in thefirst jaw, which protrudes from the tool so it can bepushed into the connector terminal. There’s a wire

with alligator clip to ground the tester, and a light inthe exterior of the second jaw goes on to indicate entryinto a power circuit.

Circuit Tester Pliersby Lisle

38 September 2008

OBD II data recorders are typically at eitherend of the spectrum—very inexpensive ones that sim-ply record short peri-ods of data and logtrouble codes, andhigh-end data loggersthat can record en-hanced data and eventrigger on specificcodes for factory scantools.

The CRecorder fillsthe intermediate areafor shops using gener-ic OBD II data, andcan continuously re-cord up to 24 hours ofengine data, so thecustomer trying to du-plicate a problem forthe shop has someflexibility. Using soft-ware downloaded

from the manufacturer’s special website, the techniciancan set the starting time into the recorder immediately

before installationand, when the car re-turns, download theinformation via a USBconnection into theshop PC, then close inon a problem that oc-curred at a specifictime. The data foreach PID can be dis-played in list or graphform. Clicking onpoints on the graphalso brings up the ex-act data readings. Be-cause it works as areal-time data logger,the CRecorder alsocan be used in theshop or on road testsfor diagnosis.

False codes, stalling andother problems on Fordengines could have manycauses. But one that’s reallytough to diagnose is “leak-age” (radiation of electro-magnetic interference)from coil-on-plug (C-O-P)modules into other elec-tronic modules, sensors andwiring, on those enginesthat are C-O-P-equipped.

Ford dealers have asoftware sequence called“Coil Stress Test Red” in-cluded with the World Di-agnostic System (WDS)oscilloscope. The dealertechnician can check peakfiring voltage patterns of each coil-on-plug moduleand compare them with those supplied by Ford. TheFord scope test requires removing each C-O-P mod-

ule (and disconnecting thefuel injector) for one-at-a-time testing with the en-gine running.

A faster, easier ap-proach, and one aimed ataftermarket shops withoutthe WDS, is using the In-terference Hunter, whichwas developed with aFord dealer. This diagnos-tic tool uses an inductiveprobe placed on top of thecoil in a C-O-P design tosense the radiated pulsingmagnetic field and pro-vides a Pass or Fail indica-tion for each cylinder. Be-cause bad alternator

diodes can cause similar symptoms on some models,the Interference Hunter also has an alternator testcapability.

Interference Hunterby Lenehan Research

40 September 2008

CRecorderby Launch Tech USA

Replacing brakeshoes and pads and ser-vicing parking brakes iswork that has been“owned” by the after-market. But like manyother jobs that wereonce straightforwardservice with shop tools,these have seen the in-troduction of electroniccontrols.

The latest is the elec-tronic parking brake.Installation and align-ment of the brake padsfor a parking brake sys-tem that is applied andretracted by electroni-cally controlled actua-tors requires either afactory scan tool with specific software or a controltool. Otherwise, when manual tool attempts are made,

the in-caliper mecha-nisms can be damaged.

The four leading Ger-man makes (VW/Audi,Mercedes-Benz andBMW) have electroni-cally similar systemsand, unlike tools for in-dividual German cars,the new EPB101 hassoftware that enables itto command all. It al-lows the technician topress buttons to retractand apply brake pad ac-tuators as part of pad re-placement, alignmentand bedding. TheEPB101 also reads andclears trouble codes. Itconnects to the under-

dash diagnostic link connector, through which it com-municates with the parking brake’s control module.

There’s a new SAE standard—J2791—for elec-tronic a/c refrigerant leak detectors and theD440-A Heated Sensor Refrigerant Leak De-tector was the first to be certified by an inde-pendent testing lab. The standard requires fargreater sensitivity than detectors certified to anold standard (SAE J1627), but also offersgreater resistance to false triggering, and properoperation in an underhood environment conta-minated by fumes.

Under J2791, a detector must trigger on itshigh-sensitivity switch position when movingpast a 4-grams/year refrigerant leak at a rate of 3in./sec., at a distance of 3⁄8 in. from the leak. Ontwo other switch positions it must detect a 7-g/yr. leakand a 14-g/yr. leak under similar conditions. By com-parison, detectors certified to J1627 had to trigger onlyin the presence of a 14-g/yr. leak or greater, whenmoved at a rate of 2 in./sec. from a 1⁄4-in. distance. In ad-dition, the new detectors are tested to demonstratethey do not trigger in the presence of a smaller leakthan the technician is searching for, such as just 2 g/yr.

on the high-sensitivity (4-g/yr.) setting, at 4 g/yr. on themedium-sensitivity (7-g/yr.) setting, or at 7 g/yr. on thelow-sensitivity (14-g/yr.) setting. The tight triggeringwindows enable the technician to better estimate thesize of a leak and not try to repair one that’s within thenormal range for the location. The D440-A has a digitaldisplay, and the number displayed (from 1 to 9) is anapproximate indication of leak size.

Heated Sensor Refrigerant Leak Detectorby Techno Tools

42 September 2008

Electronic Parking Brake Service Toolby Mac Tools

At the heart of theGR8-1200 Battery DiagnosticStation is the Multi-TaskerBridge, which allows users toperform battery and electricaldiagnostics on other vehicleswhile the charger is in use.Simply connect the testclamps to perform a full bat-tery and electrical systemanalysis. If the battery needs acharge, connect the chargerclamps and the GR8 takesover. If you have more work todo while the battery is beingcharged, simply remove theEXP-1200 controller and work on the other side of thegarage. When the GR8 finishes the job, the Multi-Tasker Bridge provides LED and audible alarms soyou can download the results from the bridge to thecontroller to view or print.

The EXP-1200 controller combines dynamic con-ductance technology for improved battery testing, with

additional test inputs, measurements and processingpower. The controller also features advanced starterand alternator diagnostics that combine additional pa-rameters like current draw and charging current withadvanced digital signal processing power to quicklyprovide an analysis of the full battery, starting andcharging system.

Battery Diagnostic Station by Midtronics

If you’ve ever struggled to remove a tight cam sealin a confined area without damaging the cam or thesurrounding housing, this unique tool should be awelcome addition to your toolbox. Itspress & pull cup design allows the saferemoval of camshaft seals on most Toy-ota and Lexus V6 engines.

After removing the cam gear, thethreaded press rod is screwed into thecam. Insert the cup, washer and drivenut, then turn the nut to press the cupall the way through the center of theseal, between the seal lip and the cam.A ridge on the edge of the cup gripsthe seal lip during the next step. Re-move the press rod, nut and washer,then thread a large stud into the cupand turn it until the cup pulls the sealout. There’s no messing around withseal picks, and no risk of damaging thecam’s sealing surface.

The tool is made of heat-treated alloy

steel with quality hardware, and works on 1996 andlater Toyota and 1990 and later Lexus 3.0 and 3.3L V6engines. Everything is contained in a plastic case.

Toyota/Lexus V6 Cam Seal Removal Tool by SP Tools/Schley Products

44 September 2008

The WPS500 AutomotiveMulti-Functional Pressure Trans-ducer allows technicians to viewpressure and vacuum signals withthe PicoScope automotive diag-nostic oscilloscope by generatingaccurate, full-scale measure-ments from �29.9 in./Hg (vacu-um) to 500 psi, with a 100µS re-sponse rate. Transducers are tra-ditionally designed with specifictasks in mind, requiring an in-vestment in multiple transducersto cover all tests. Now multipletransducers are not necessary.

User-selected modes instructthe WPS500 to focus on certainpressure/vacuum scales. Mode 1covers �15 to 500 psi, Mode 2covers �15 to 50 psi and Mode 3 covers �15 to 5 psi,all with �1% accuracy. This allows the user to performa multitude of tests, including running cylinder com-pression, cranking cylinder compression, running vac-

uum, fuel pressure, fuel injector balance, transmissionpressure and exhaust pulse analysis. The LiPo batterycan be recharged inboard, rather than requiring re-placement.

Many technicians wear latex orother varieties of protectivegloves while working. This is duein large part to the commonchemicals, oil, grease and grimefound in today’s repair facilities,as well as a desire for fastercleanup and to present a profes-sional appearance.

A latex-gloved hand can easilybecome tangled in the spinningextension of a pneumatic air toolor the sliding shaft of an air chisel.Torn gloves add to a technician’sexpenses and, if they aren’t re-moved, offer reduced protection to the wearer. Remov-ing gloves for certain jobs, then putting them on againis an unnecessary waste of time, and probably increasesthe likelihood that more time will be spent wearing nogloves at all.

The NeverBind Gripping Handle offers a tidy solu-tion to these problems. The lightweight aluminum han-

dle combines with a self-lubricating inner bushing to fitover 1⁄4-, 3⁄8- and 1⁄2-in. socket extensions or air chiselshafts. The handle can be left in place on a single exten-sion, or quickly swapped from one to another. Red orblue anodized NeverBind handles provide a steadyinggrip on the spinning extension, allowing you to concen-trate on operating the air tool with your other hand.

NeverBind Gripping Handle by NeverBind

46 September 2008

Automotive Multi-Functional Pressure Transducer by Pico Technology Limited

The Prism portableimaging alignment systemis claimed to be the firstalignment system to com-bine the accuracy, speedand advanced diagnosticcapabilities of imagingalignment and the pro-ductivity benefits of aportable system. Its wire-less configuration enablesfast front-end alignments,as front-end adjustmentscan be made without in-terfering with the cam-eras. Bluetooth technolo-gy is used to maintain acommunication link be-tween the pods and wire-less access point (WAP),so alignments can be per-formed at a distance of100 meters from the

WAP. The Prism’s magne-sium targets, pods andpatented X-Light clampsare half the weight ofcompetitive models.

The system offers anumber of other produc-tivity-enhancing featuresas well. Pro 32 softwarefeatures step-by-step jobaids and three-dimension-al graphical images; Vehi-cle Orientation Direction-al Indicator (VODI) soft-ware shaves valuable min-utes off every alignment;and EZ-Toe software al-lows the technician toturn the front wheel andaccess difficult adjust-ment points without los-ing contact with the diag-nostic unit.

Prism Portable Imaging Alignment System by Snap-on Equipment

48 September 2008

Every shop, even thoseequipped with multiple lifts,must have at least one ser-vice jack available to quicklyand safely lift vehicles in theshop or in the lot.

The 31⁄2-ton Blue Steelservice jack has a couple ofunique features that set itapart from other servicejacks. First is its full swivelhandle operation, which al-lows the jack handle to beoperated from any angle rel-ative to the jack body. Be-cause the handle can beswiveled to either side, thejack can be used in confinedspaces, such as between cars that are parked closely to-gether. Speedy Lift technology raises the lift cap to theload in one or two strokes.

The antishock controlled-descent feature provides an

added measure of safety and reduces the potential fordamage to vehicle and vehicle stands, as well as person-al injury. Under load, the descent rate is restricted to asafe, controlled speed automatically.

Blue Steel Service Jack by NAPA Balkamp

Due to the technical sophistication of to-day’s engines and engine management systems,the mechanical condition of an engine may beoverlooked as a possible cause of a driveabilityproblem. The EmissFire Detector allows theuser to locate a cylinder misfire using only twopoints of contact—a venturi sensor in thetailpipe and an inductive pickup around an ig-nition wire. It will then give active misfirecounts and cylinder misfire percentages in min-utes. The EmissFire Detector will also identifyand alert the technician to problems such asrandom miss, steady miss, bank 1 miss or bank2 miss.

These misfires can have many possible caus-es, but the misfiring cylinder will be known. Theidentified spark plug is then removed and acompression hose with a pressure transducer is insert-ed into the spark plug hole. Several pieces of data canbe collected from this simple test, and the EmissFireDetector’s automated software will inform the user ofthe cylinder’s mechanical condition and whethercamshaft timing is good or not. Actual camshaft timing

can be determined, with accuracy to within threecrankshaft degrees. If the cylinder pressure test indi-cates a mechanical problem, the EmissFire Detectorchecks the cylinder in three states—cranking, idle andsnap throttle—to identify valve spring, piston ring, in-take valve, exhaust valve and valve guide problems.

50 September 2008

EmissFire Detector by Automotive Test Solutions

Circle #26

Is it the motor or the wiring?That’s a common question, withvariations applied to fuel pumps,radiator cooling fans, blower mo-tors, power windows, sunroofs,lamps, etc. The list goes on and on,but this new circuit load simulatorallows the user to employ a singlediagnostic approach.

Unplug that circuit load—what-ever it is—connect the simulatorand attach its chassis ground. Turnon the simulator and select fromthree categories—motor, lamp or“other.” Then scroll through thechoices in each category until youfind the one that applies and letthe simulator go through a circuit test. The simulatordisplay will look for and report if the problem is inthe power or ground side of the circuit, indicating ifthere’s a voltage drop (and how much), an open cir-cuit or a short to voltage or ground.

Naturally, the choices are all based on providing“typical” current draws, so if you want the simulatorto test a circuit for some component you know hasan unusually high or low draw, you can opt for a spe-cific amperage draw as the testing benchmark.

51September 2008

Circuit Load Simulatorby Waekon

Circle #27

There may be just onespecial-purpose service machinein the shop and, naturally, sever-al technicians need to use it atthe same time. The TechALERT

not only solves a tight schedul-ing problem but also improvesshop productivity by letting anautomatic machine run throughits operating sequence while

technicians are doing other jobs.It features a wireless trans-

mitter that synchronizes withthe operation of the machine it’smonitoring. Technicians carry

shirt-pocket receivers that,through indicator lights, pro-vide machine operation sta-tus, whether it’s completion oran interruption that requiresattention. Each TechALERTsystem works on up to four ofthe company’s machines si-multaneously, including the

RHS980 air conditioning re-cover/recycle/recharge ma-chine, introduced and certi-fied late last year to the newSAE J2788 performance stan-dard.

TechALERT also can beused with the company’s ATX-2 and ATX-3 transmission flu-id exchangers, DCS-1 dieselcleaning equipment and BFX-2 brake flushing machine. Ifone of these five machines isnot factory-equipped with theTechALERT as an option, itcan be retrofitted.

52 September 2008

Circle #28

TechALERTby RTI Technologies

The value of a refrigerant identifi-er is established in many ways. If itfinds a system contaminated witha refrigerant other than R-134a,the technician can avoid costlydamage to his recycling machine.If the refrigerant is a flammablehydrocarbon, the technician alsocan avoid a dangerous servicejob. An identifier also permits ashop to check the purity of anyrefrigerant tanks being offeredfor sale, particularly those at bar-gain prices. Further, an identifier

helps troubleshoot problemsfrom systems that have beencontaminated with air, which af-fects performance and causesnoises often misdiagnosed as de-fective compressors.

Every technician who servicesa/c systems knows he shouldhave such a tool, but the pricehas been a deterrent for shopsthat are not a/c specialists. TheDiscovR No. 16009 is a low-costanswer for R-134a identification,providing essential features atechnician needs. Yes, it takes 25seconds to warm up (vs. instant-on with a premium identifier),has a manual pump (vs. a built-in

electric) and simple go/no-go indi-cator lights instead of a digital dis-play in percentages. But this iden-tifier does provide a test for R-134a purity of at least 95%, a safe

minimum that also is an assur-ance against a hydrocarbon refrig-erant. The DiscovR also will indi-cate if there’s air in the refrigerantin excess of 10%.

53September 2008

Circle #29

R-134a Refrigerant Identifierby SPX/Robinair

OmiScan Gasis a fully wireless ex-haust gas analyzer, sothe user is not teth-ered to the tailpipeand can analyze thevehicle from morethan 30 ft. away. Theanalyzer is modularand includes a dock-ing station and ahandset. Set thedocking station nearthe tailpipe of thevehicle on a cart, onthe floor or in thetrunk, then undockthe handset for fullportability. This al-lows you to run tests from under the hood or insidethe vehicle during road tests without being tetheredby sample probes.

The unit’s 6-ft. sample probe greatly reduces the

time it takes for thegases to reach the gasbench, so the usergets faster results—during a snap throttletest, for instance.

ComprehensivePC software includesa guided diagnosticsfunction to help iden-tify ignition prob-lems, air leaks, oxy-gen sensor faults,faulty catalysts andmore. The graphingfunction gives the op-tion of either a liveplot or a bar graphfor individual gases.

There’s a USB connection on the handset for interfacingwith PC utility software for data printout and compre-hensive graphing functions. Plot one gas or five gasesand add AFR, Lambda or rpm on the screen at once.

54 September 2008

OmiScan Gas by Omitec

Circle #30

Does the world need another 3⁄8-in. ratchet? Sure itdoes, if the new one does things that existing 3⁄8-in.ratchets don’t.

The Dual 80 flex-head ratchet looks like a lot of oth-ers, but when you try it, you realize it has an extremelyfine-tooth gear—in fact, 80 teeth on a surprisingly com-

pact head (just 13⁄16 in.wide, 1⁄2 in. deep). The80 teeth, a new bench-mark in its class, meanit has a smaller ratchet-ing arc than any otherratchet around. So incombination with thecompact head, it workswell in extremely tightquarters. The ratchetpawls are very strong,transferring up to 250ft.-lbs. of torque, andeach pawl maintainscontact with sevenratchet teeth for a goodfeeling of control. Thehead is sealed to keepout contamination.

Ratchet with Dual 80 Technologyby Snap-on Tools

Advantage WheelAlignment

www.advantagewheelalignment.com Circle #101

Automotive Test Solutionswww.automotivetestsolutions.comCircle #102

GearWrench/DanaherTool Group

www.gearwrench.comCircle #103

Hunter Engineeringwww.hunter.comCircle #104

Launch Tech USAwww.launchtechusa.comCircle #105

Lenehan Researchwww.lenehanresearch.comCircle #106

RTI Technologieswww.rtitech.comCircle #114

Snap-on Equipmentwww.snaponequipment.comCircle #115

Snap-on Toolswww.snapon.comCircle #116

SP Tools/Schley Productswww.sptool.comCircle #117

SPX/Robinairwww.robinair.com

Circle #118

Techno Toolswww.techno-tools.comCircle #119

Waekonwww.waekon.comCircle #120

Lislewww.lislecorp.comCircle #107

Mac Toolswww.mactools.comCircle #108

Midtronicswww.midtronics.comCircle #109

NAPA Balkampwww.napaonline.comCircle #110

NeverBindCircle #111

Omitecwww.omitec.com/usCircle #112

Pico TechnologyLimited

www.picoauto.comCircle #113

How to Get the Top 20

55September 2008

For more information on these Top 20 Tools award winners, visit the websites listed here or circle the appropriate numbers on the Product Information Card in this issue.