The 9 Best Brake retaining Spring Tools (2023 reviews)

The lisle brake retaining spring tool is capable of outshining several other tool featured in this list in overall features. This tool is light duty for infrequent drum brake repair/pad changes. It can be used on clips located clear of obstructions (wheel hub is the major one) and it performs easily and requires only a gentle amount of pressure and rotation. Once the small indent is on the main pin the springs can easily be pried over and slide right off. This works for drum style brakes in general for spring removal and replacement.

This tool is small enough in diameter to get in and long enough to get the leverage needed to remove most springs. This tool makes the job faster and easier for someone that deals with drum brakes. It is easy to turn and clamps solidly onto the spring shaft.

Why We Like This:

Very sturdy, quality feel, dont bend or flex even with the hardest of springs
Makes manipulating heavy duty springs a breeze
Removes and installs the brake clip and nail on brake shoes in seconds
Great tool, good for tight places

Best For Brake job: ARES Brake retaining Spring Tool

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The ares brake retaining spring tool might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year, thanks to multiple price cuts and added new features over the past few months. This tool makes the one step easy and a great tool. These brake spring pliers feature a curved neck for enhanced access in tight spaces, even around the most difficult to navigate wheel hubs. This compresses the spring and its cap together. The needle nose has 2 sets of grooves for the spring and it holds firmly. It is much easier on the arms and hands, less brute force.

These pliers are constructed of durable chrome vanadium steel with comfort grip handles for an enhanced grip that make the removal and replacement of backing plate springs, cups, and pins easy, so you can get the job done quickly and easily. This is a must have tool for rebuilding drum brakes. This tool will work with any drum brake system where the pads are held on with the spring and clip method.

Why We Like This:

Makes it easy and quick to remove and install brake shoe retaining springs
Work great for parking brake holdowns behind axle
Works great high quality tool worth the money

Best With newer Spring hardware: Gearwrench right Tool

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The gearwrench right tool should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This tool is a life saver for anyone doing drum brakes. It works best on a car drum brake. It has holes at the bottom of the cup, so visibility when installing springs is excellent. It's double ended for small and large springs, which eliminates having different sizes. If you have to do it, this tool will save you time & frustration. It makes brake jobs that much easier. This is a solid tool.

Why We Like This:

A must have for doing bake jobs
Makes diy drum brakes a cinch
Works great on the big stuff
Handy tool,,, especially with a touch of

Best For doing brakes: OTC Brake retaining Spring Tool

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OTC's s-cam air brake spring tool eliminates makeshift, unsafe methods of unhooking and reconnecting brake shoe retaining springs. This one tool lets you hook the spring on the finger and pry instead of using more than one tool. It is used to use vise grips (needle nose) and a big flat head screw driver. This really works, hate semi trailer and truck springs on brakes, but this helps putting the spring on in a second.

This tool is a spectacular time saver on a type semi. It can install outter spring without any issues. This tool is a must for your tool box. It is a great tool to invest in if you work on heavy duty brakes.

Why We Like This:

Works best for drive and trailer shoes, doesn't work for steers
Saves a lot of time when slapping shoes on
Makes installing q shoes a breeze
Works good on the semi truck brake springs

Best For beginners: ABN Brake retaining Spring Tool

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These rear brake tool sets are designed to be used on most foreign and domestic cars and trucks. Whether you are a seasoned mechanic or a home mechanic, this automotive tool set allows you to service your vehicle brakes by making it easy to replace springs, check your pads, and reach other parts of the drum brake system. It includes a brake spring installer, a spring remover, 2 spring retainers, a brake spring pliers, a pad gauge set, and 8 various sized adjustment tools. The spring puller tool, spring installation tool, and spring retainers have ergonomic handles for comfort when using.

The 8 brake lining thickness gauges help you to identify thickness levels to know when it’s time to change your pads. This kit comes with the few necessary tools needed to tackle any drum brake job. They appear sturdy and should perform well based on appearance. It is the perfect brand for professionals, diy'ers, or anyone wanting to add new tools to their collection.

Why We Like This:

Proper maintenance and care for your tools is essential
Has all the best little tools for those stubborn springs
Good brand reputation

Best For disk brakes: ABN Brake Kit

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The abn brake kit's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. This brake tool rear brake caliper tool set rotates the parking brake activated piston into the caliper cylinder. It is made for both disc and drum systems and covers most sizes of bearings and seals. It is packaged in a heavy-duty 14.5” x 2.5” x 11” inch (36.8cm x 6.4cm x 27.9cm) plastic blow-molded carrying case with latches and handle for easy transportation, safe storage, and quick organization.

This brake tool set allows you to work on bearings, seals, axles, adjust clearance between drum brakes and shoe, or remove or install shoe return springs and brake pads. It is constructed from chrome-vanadium steel (cr-v) for maximum strength and longevity. It provides access around the emergency brake lever to service the brake retaining spring. It is great value for little money and comes with every tool you will need to get the job done.

Why We Like This:

Nice to have everything you need to do front and rear brake job
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For medium: performance Tool Brake retaining Spring Tool

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The performance tool brake retaining spring tool's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. This is pretty much a universal spring tool. It makes drum brakes easy and not a fight. It features a heat-resistant handle that provides a comfortable grip and ensures safe and efficient use during long periods of work. It'll get you through changing drum brakes 2 or 3 times.

This tool makes the job so much easier. It is made with high-quality materials, the performance tool w158c brake spring compressor offers reliable and long-lasting performance for all your brake maintenance needs. It is great for medium to large springs. The tool is solid and works just fine.

Why We Like This:

Could also be used for pirate cosplay
Makes bleeding brakes, clutch a one man job
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For Brake Caliper: MOSTPLUS Brake retaining Spring Tool

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This dual brake servicing kit covers most European / Japanese imported and american domestic vehicles. It is ideal for 4 wheel drive cars/trucks. The disc brake tools include 2x Retaining Plates, 1x Left Thrust Bolts + 1x Right Thrust Bolts + 18x Adapters + 2 Carry Cases. It has 4 brake spring tools with reinforced ergonomic handles to save your time, and the molded and textured tool handles are larger in size for a secure grip and less user fatigue.

Why We Like This:

Steel for good ductility, strength, durability and longevity
Coming with blow-molded plastic case for easy transportation, simple storage and quick organization
Black oxide and chromate coatings ensure wear and corrosion resistant

Best premium: Gearwrench Brake retaining Spring Tool

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Next on the list, we've got yet another tool that manages to win our hearts. It's the gearwrench brake retaining spring tool and it's widely considered as one of the best premium tool you can buy.

Why We Like This: