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GEARWRENCH Drum Brake Adjusting Tool - 287D

Curated from 121 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 20, 2025

GEARWRENCH Drum Brake Adjusting Tool - 287D

Brand: GEARWRENCH

Price: $6

Snoop Score:

7.7

Sentiment

6.9

Popularity

9.0

Technical

8.0

Buy on Amazon for $6 See All Brake Adjusting Tools Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

The GEARWRENCH Drum Brake Adjusting Tool - 287D is a specialized tool designed to assist in the adjustment of drum brakes, ensuring optimal performance and safety in automotive applications. Its solid construction and reliable performance make it an essential tool for both professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts. Consumer sentiment around the GEARWRENCH 287D is largely positive, with users praising its durable build and effectiveness in various automotive tasks. As one user noted, "Seems solid and well built," while another emphasized its reliability by stating, "Can confirm it's a solid tool." However, some users have mentioned challenges in working with drum brakes, with one expressing a strong preference for other brake systems, citing that drum brakes have been considered outdated technology. Overall, the GEARWRENCH Drum Brake Adjusting Tool is recommended for those needing a dependable tool for infrequent drum brake jobs. While there are some criticisms regarding the tool's usability and packaging, the positive feedback on its construction and effectiveness outweighs the negatives, making it a worthwhile addition to any automotive toolkit.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Brake Adjusting Tools

Seems solid and well built.
Positive Feedback

I would rather rebuild the engine again from the ground up then do the drums again.
Negative Feedback

7.7

GEARWRENCH Drum Brake Adjusting Tool - 287D

Buy on Amazon for $6

Routine Maintenance

9 / 10

Brake Drum Servicing

9 / 10

Heavy Duty Repairs

1 / 10

Professional Auto Service

9 / 10

See how this compares to all Brake Adjusting Tools

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Well built and solid construction

“Seems solid and well built.”➕

“The Gearwrench 120xp set is pretty killer.”➕

Effective for various automotive tasks

“10/10 road call toolbag worthy.”➕

Drum brakes perform well if properly adjusted

“Properly adjusted, they work great.”➕

Long lifespan of drum brake pads

“It boggles my mind.”➕

“The front are just about gone.”➕

Drum brakes are cheaper to produce

“They are cheap and they work … to a point.”➕

Drum brakes provide effective parking brake functionality

“Drum brakes make for much better parking brakes than discs.”➕

“Rear drums have easy parking brakes.”➕

Good quality construction

“It's been really good! Doesn't have a loud click.”➕

“Seems to be good quality but I haven’t used them yet.”➕

Accurate torque settings

“They're fine, accurate enough for cycling (i mean, this ain't NASA), and I make sure ever fastening is to spec.”➕

Solid tool construction

“Can confirm it's a solid tool.”➕

“has never let me down.”➕

Reliable gearwrench set

“the gearwrench set is the best one.”➕

“Another gearwrench user here”➕

Decent quality tool for infrequent drum brake jobs

“I think someone like gearwrench or astro pneumatic probably makes a decent enough kit for few times a year I do drum brakes anymore.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Drum brakes can be difficult to work on

“I would rather rebuild the engine again from the ground up then do the drums again.”➕

Drum brakes are considered outdated technology

“drum brakes have been obsolete tech for a long time now.”➕

Newton meter readout is inconsistent

“The Newton meter read out on the backside is kind of wonky to me.”➕

Drum brakes can be challenging to work on

“It's not that hard. I've done drum brakes since '87; pretty common back then, only once in a blue moon lately.”➕

Torque wrench may be defective upon arrival

“Unless you guys tell me I’m doing something wrong, I’m gonna guess this came broken out of the box.”➕

“Sounds to me like you're using the wrench correctly so I'd guess its defective.”➕

Packaging does not meet expectations

“the box it came in does not look like the box others come in, as I’ve seen on YouTube for reviewing it.”➕

“It should have come in the blow molded cases, this is the standard even for the cheapest of torque wrenches.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Orion Motor Tech 10pc Drum Brake Tool Kit	$34	9.6	Details	Buy
Steelman Drum Brake Adjusting Tool	$7	9.0	Details	Buy
GEARWRENCH Drum Brake Adjusting Tool - 287D	$6	7.7	Details	Buy
Headerbs Brake Adjusting Tool	$5	7.3	Details	Buy
Lisle 50700 Brake Adjusting Tool	$7	6.9	Details	Buy
Pohido Brake Adjustment Tool	$11	5.7	Details	Buy
HAUTMEC Brake Spring Pliers - Drum Brake Tool Kit	$11	5.6	Details	Buy
Keenso Universal Brake Adjusting Tool Set	$9	5.0	Details	Buy
Performance Tool W80630 Angled Brake Adjusting Tool	$7	4.8	Details	Buy
BARTOO Brake Adjustment Tool	$11	4.1	Details	Buy
Yosoo Brake Adjoffset Brake Spoon - Universal Brake Adjusting Tool	$9	3.6	Details	Buy
GUNSON Gunson 77152 Brake Adjusting Wrench	$17	1.3	Details	Buy
CTA Tools 1417 Brake Adjusting Tool	$9	1.2	Details	Buy
CTA Tools 1418 Brake Adjusting Tool	$9	0.5	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Preload pressure adjustment is simplified in the game

“the implementation in ACC is very simplified, we only have the preload pressure to adjust.”➕

Discussion on the efficiency of drum brakes

“its for emergencies. like if the regular brakes fail...noone ever told you?”➕

Discussion on the utility of flex-head ratchets versus fixed-head ratchets.

“Gearwrench seems like the best fit, how is their customer service to actually use?”➕

“I treat my flex heads like specialty tools.”➕

“it's nice to have a flex head when you need it, but you don’t just want to hulk smash like you may with fixed or breaker bar.”➕

“anybody that uses them day in and day out will take a flex every single time.”➕

Discussion on quality differences by manufacturing location

“Quality tends to be a bit better.”➕

Personal experiences with tool usage

“I searched for over an hour before finally finding it wedged between the power steering pump pulley and the block.”➕

Discussion on preferred drive sizes for impact equipment

“Overall, 3/8" drive seems to be the best choice to me, but I wanted to get some feedback before I chose a fork in the road.”➕

“You could prob get by with a breaker bar for the big torques and just get a 3/8 which you’ll get more use from.”➕

“1/2 drive is kind of the standard impact wrench.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Discussion on brake line maintenance techniques

“Lots of rust penetrant and vibration can often break up the rust.”➕

“Don't ask how I learned that...”➕

Advice on loosening stuck brake line nuts

“Are you turning it toward the strut spring or away from it?”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Drum brakes are still in use for certain applications

“They’re still in use today. Certain braking systems can only be drums.”➕

“Any trailer that can be pulled with a car or pickup if it's a goose neck still has drum brakes.”➕

Comparison of tool brands highlights market competition.

“It feels premium too for $20 I personally only ever used Mac/snap on but I’m really reconsidering buying only harbor freights premium stuff.”➕

“honestly the only thing they’re lacking nowadays is that they just don’t come to my job and offer me promos and take my returns while I’m working you know”➕

“That was an eye opener.”➕

General discussion on tool brands and pricing

“Is the Lexivon torque wrench set any good?”➕

“It's a Chinese brand but they've been around for a while and not one of those made up Amazon brands.”➕

Discussion on tool fit and compatibility

“Thanks, but that one won't fit, I've got a similar tool and it's not even close.”➕

“If you have a harbor freight availible for you to visit, they have a tool set with thin walled sockets and crows foot sockets for each size.”➕

Comparative discussion on using breaker bars versus torque wrenches.

“a torque wrench that wouldn't withstand the torque that its supposed to withstand prior to clicking is just.. well, unusable.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Setup menu is intimidating for beginners

“ACCs setup menu is super intimidating for beginners, and the descriptions give you no useful help whatsoever.”➕

Discussion on personal experiences with various tools.

“I was always taught to spin it up with a ratchet to keep the torque wrench calibrated for longer.”➕

Discussion on various torque wrench brands and their reliability

“I'm in the market for buying my first torque wrench and I'd like all of your professional opinions on a quality brand that should last me for years.”➕

“YouTube’s Project Farm has death-match comparisons of specific tool categories.”➕

“Should last my kids life.”➕

“Torque wrenches can get pretty specific and some are very expensive.”➕

Discussion on torque wrench reliability across brands

“Are the wrenches from there any good? I’ve gotten some pretty good stuff from there before.”➕

“+- just a few percent from snap on, better than some other budget brands.”➕

“Nothing has ever come loose, broken, or otherwise failed.”➕

“Snap On is just very marked up average tools.”➕

Personal experiences with budget torque wrenches

“I like my TEKTON torque wrenches. They’re pretty decent and generally around 40$ for the small and medium size ones.”➕

“I'm still using my HF brands comfortably to this day after testing on certified aerospace torque range meters.”➕

Torque wrenches can wear out if misused.

“A torque wrench can absolutely be used out of calibration through extended/unneeded use, and by not using it unnecessarily you're just preserving the usefulness of the expensive tool.”➕

“Unnecessary use on a torque wrench, either properly or improperly will cause it to fall out of calibration.”➕

Discussion about the limits of torque wrenches.

“A steel spring can absolutely be designed in a way in which the forces/deflection it sees in a certain application will never break it.”➕

“a torque wrench is a precision instrument and that by using it as a breaker bar, he's more likely to drop it, bang it around, forget to dial it back to a low setting for storage, and generally abuse it.”➕

Concerns about torque wrench calibration.

“Um, because it’s a possibly very expensive precision tool that possibly needs to be calibrated ever year and stored properly to stay honest.”➕

Discussion on torque wrench calibration and usage

“First question do you have any calibration paperwork and is it in date?”➕

“I also found out it's more of a "thunk" than a "click" like the clicker dog trainers use.”➕