Akagis_white_comet

iTrader: (4)

Item# 641448
Pros: Works as described, learning curve isn't TOO difficult
Cons: Poor instructions, can be broken if used improperly

Ease of Use: 8/10 (-2 for lacking decent instructions)
Quality: 10/10
Value 7/10 (expensive if you don't shop around)
Overall: 8.5/10

After looking at just about every possible option for terminal extraction tools, I finally settled on this set that I found on ebay for $35 brand new. It normally retails for $110-130 at places such as Canadian Tire, so ebay is your friend here.

Inside are 19 different tools with a card that outlines their intended uses and one diagram illustrating that the tool goes into the mating end. For example, Tool #15 says it is used for Sensor connections on GM, Ford, Chrysler, Hyundai/Kia and Mitsubishi, but is the correct tool to use on the FC's windshield wiper motor connector (Yazaki CNA 250 series). While the tools are of decent quality, they can be broken if you use them incorrectly.

The tools I use most out of the set are #18 and #19, intended for Volkswagens. #19 is the proper tool for releasing terminals from VW relay/fuse sockets. With some very slight bending, it works perfectly in GM Metripack connectors. For the stubborn ones, I use #18 as a last resort because it compresses the locking tabs too much to lock back in without pushing them back into the correct position (tricky, but doable with a steady hand).

For generic relay sockets, tool #14 is the correct one. The VW sockets use these terminals for the coil pins (pretty sure they're either Tyco or Yazaki/KET). Haltech used these on my PS2K Flying Lead Harness's relay sockets. Easiest way I know to depin them is to insert the tool between the housing's outer lip and terminal and gently pry inwards using the convex curve of the tool's tip.

Because information on terminal removal techniques and the correct tools seems to be a mystery to most of the net, I'll be doing a few videos on how to de-pin commonly found connectors the right way using these tools.

Now for the cons of the set. If you look elsewhere other than ebay, you'll spend at least $100 on this set. Unfortunately, terminal tools are expensive and this is about normal for such a comprehensive set. Fortunately, ebay seller "tools4saleasis" has a few more of these on hand when I checked about a month ago. I've got nothing but praise for him, especially after I broke the tip off of tool #18 when removing the rear lock from a metripack connector (my fault, should have turned it 90 degrees). After explaining what happened when the tool broke, he sent me a new one for free. Despite it being an ebay purchase and listed "as is" while being new in box, he shipped me a new tool anyway. Major props for this.

Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the set, despite its drawbacks. It is one set of tools that I can recommend without a second thought.