Anyone tried this tool?

[ColoradoSteve]

Found this on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Timing-belt-tension-Tool-Porsche-928-924-944-VW-Audi_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a 2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q 3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZite m120359100732QQitemZ120359100732QQptZMotorsQ5fAuto motiveQ5fTools
??????

[John_AZ]

The same tool/company was discussed a while back on www.924board.org
http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=26431&highlight=tool

John_AZ

[ColoradoSteve]

Thanks, John,
No one on the 924 board has used the tool either, so no test results available, I guess. I'm tempted to buy one and give it a try, I've spent $50. on dumber things, LOL.

[SuperXRAY]

I bought one. It's a dumb use of $50, unless I'm just an idiot, here's my thoughts:

1. There's no way to 'record' the reading. You have to be able to see the graduations precisely during the testing.

2. It's very cheaply made, IMHO. I have $50 micrometers that are built 100 times better. Springs, as this tool uses, vary considerably...so I don't see a way possible that the tool is made with a consistent spring rate. At least, not for $50.

3. It is advertised for use on 944's (girlfriend owns a 944, so I have personal experience here), yet you could only possibly use it on the balance shaft belt. Yiippee, one of the least concerning belts on the car. You cannot get the tool in the area around the timing belt to take a reading. If you could, you'd still need a third and maybe a fourth hand to perform the action. One to hold the tool, one to turn the knob, one to hold the flashlight, and one to hold the mirror so you could see the graduations.

4. You can't calibrate it without expensive equipment, costing more than the Porsche tool.

5. There are no instructions provided and I haven't found any. I am guessing that the graduations are in millimeters while the knob graduations are in Nm in relation to millimeter movement. Don't know, isn't marked anywhere and you can't zero the knob (how retarded, because that $50 micrometer has a zero ring).

6. ZDMak (tool maker) hasn't replied to my emails.

7. Ending up making the Porsche tool, which I still need to buy, 12% more expensive because I spent $50 on this thing and it's useless.

Another way to look at it is like this:

The tool works off your eye being able to tell if the tick mark on the indicator actually did move, specifically in relation to where you started from, which has to be EXACTLY the point where the tool's measuring devices touches the belt. Sounds complicated already and basically means it's left up to interpretation, and we all know where interpretation has led this country's laws. Hope my experience helps you in deciding not to buy it. From an engineering perspective (mine, college and job experience), there is a reason the Porsche tool is so expensive, even though it isn't actually produced by Porsche. The workings are a closely guarded secret, I'm sure there is a patent on it.

[thekidd]

If not a whole lot of people have not used it, or have not bought it, maybee that is telling you something. Id pass on that. I have the kirikt made by Arnworx, its OK, does the job, just have to test it on the belt a few times to get the hang of it.

[SuperXRAY]

Any link to even view the arnworx tool? I have yet to find a link to information on it or where to purchase it.

[John_AZ]

Information on tools and how to use correctly:
www.arnnworx.com

Krikit from NAPA:
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&Keyword=belt&KeywordCat=Belt+Tension+Gauge&VehCode=N

Krikit driect from MFG:
http://www.hmc-international.com/krikit.htm

Basic krikit instructions:
http://www.blaszakprecision.com/Belts.html

IMO--The best tools to use are the Porsche 9201 or the Arnnworx P920x.
These work best for the novice first time belt job.

John_AZ

[SuperXRAY]

Two n's, duh. I'm not really that stupid all the time.

thanks

[thekidd]

no, thats my bad for spelling it wrong from the start. But John was there to back everything up.

[ColoradoSteve]

Thanks for the input, you just saved me $50. I already have a Kricket, but it's not that easy to get an accurate with it. The arnnworx tool looks like the best thing going for now.

[SuperXRAY]

I guess ~$500 for the Porsche tool really isn't that expensive in hindsight. I mean, I have a $4,500 lathe just for putting chokes in shotguns. I suppose the problem is I don't work on Porsche cars for money!

I really didn't mean to be so negative, but the purchase was very frustrating.