****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I bought the boot banding tool to install new boots on my Acura Legend's driver's side OEM axle and a new passengers side OEM axle that wasn't fully assembled. After experiencing vibration issues with parts store axles, I decided this was the way to go.Having watched a video on how to use the tool, I was quickly able to put it to use. The first band went well. I pulled the band as tight as I could by hand. I then fed the band through the slit in the front of the tool and the cutter and slid the end of the band into the winding mechanism. Afterwards, I turned the winder to tighten the band on the boot (not so tight that I risked cutting through the boot), staked the band with a punch, and cut off the excess with the integrated cutter. Easy.The second band was about 1/4" too short to slide it into the winder. So, I had to use vise grips to pull the band tight enough so I could use the winder to pull it even tighter then make the cut. So, as others have mentioned, my only gripe about this tool is that the winding mechanism needs to be located closer to the front of the tool for smaller bands.I needed the low-profile type clamps because the ones that were on the old CV boot stuck up to high and eventually got ripped off. This is on a small Polaris Ranger 4x4 that has very little room inside the hubs. Rather than do a repeat with standard ratchet clamps, I bought the simple low-profile bands and this tool. This tool is simple to use, just thread the end thru the tool, wind the crank to tighten, fold over, and cut excess off. Just make sure when cutting the free end, that you are cutting so it extends just slightly past the tabs that secure it. Once the tabs are secured, the low profile clamps are basically flush with the rubber boot and are much less likely to get ripped off.The ease of use (watch one video on how to use it and your ready to go), the solid construction and affordability. I'm using this tool to replace and change out the crimp style cv boot bands on my SXS.Very easy to use. It does exactly what it's supposed to do and the results look professional. Nice quality. The handle for the cutter came loose in the fourth use. Simple to reinsert and tighten the set screw.This tool is worth every penny! More than a good deal. I used this on my 2004 Audi A6 and it was so simple and effective. I feel foolish for not having bought it when I bought the axle boot. I installed the boot and the 1st boot band with a screw driver and pliers. After driving about 1500 miles I noticed some grease leaking out of the boot. So I bought this tool and put a new band on (without having to remove anything but the wheel) and the band was able to be installed tighter.. All is good and so simple to use!Easiest to use without a lot of extra to worry about. Does what it says and is quick to set up and use every time. No complaints.This tool is less than $20 which is slightly less cost and quicker to aquire than the KentMoore or equivanlent tools. This tool is intended to use on the low profile CV boot bands (not the Oetiker type) that wind up. You can remove the hand crank and use a ratchet instead with does make the process easier. The band cutting feature is a nice addition. The problem with most of these tools is that the band winder is too far back. Many times the boot bands used on the inner (axle shaft) ends do not have enough pull length to reach the winder. So it makes the tool worthless for those bands except as a fancy cutter.Design change recommendation: Move the winder feature closer towards the end. This will not impeed the functionality and will open up the use to apply to smaller bands.Great tool for the money, as a GM tech it has allowed me to save time on a very common recallEsta es una herramienta esencial al momento de hacer mantenimientos de flechas o tripoides, sin eso jamas las abrazaderas quedaran bien apretadas y terminaran soldando o saliendo la grasa, el diseño es bien sencillo no hay mucha forma de que falleDoes what it is supposed to, for a fraction of the cost of a brand name tool. I guess at that price, I should not complain too much about its built. (reason for 4 stars over 5)good tools ,makes band clamps easy to useAWESOME PRODUCT, WORKS WELL!OTC 4623 CV Joint Banding Tool And Cutter
