February 2023 - 32

EZRED 8 " S-Shaped
Quarter Stick
Reviewed by Brian Noel, Automotive
Mechanics Technology Professor
at Cosumnes River College
in Sacramento, Calif.
location between the compressor and
the frame rail. It also provided a nice
balance between leverage and accessibility
for various tasks in tight underhood
confines. The tool also worked
well for accessing interior trim fasteners
located in close quarters, such as screws
holding instrument cluster trim where
one must work through or around the
steering wheel, fasteners on the top of the
dashboard with the windshield sloping
over the top, etc.
technician to grip the tool slightly further
away than similar products, in an area
where hopefully more clearance exists.
This allows this tool to save more time in
actual use, at least in certain situations,
where one might otherwise still be struggling
to grip and operate the tool.
Q: How did the tool function
as far as saving you time?
A: This tool has been a time saver in its
intended types of applications. Its size
and shape not only help access fasteners
within tight confines, but also allow the
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The EZRED 8 " S-Shaped Quarter
Stick, No. 4SS8, features a compact
design to allow easy access inside
tight corners. The tool is forged from
chrome vanadium steel, and is ideal
for exhaust work, body work, dashboards,
motorcycles, inside fan cowls,
and other hard-to-reach areas. With a
1/4 " square socket and magnetic bit
drive, the tool works for most generalpurpose
fastener-driving, and requires
only 5 degrees to move fasteners.
Circle 58 on card or click " PTEN e-inquiry "
on VehicleServicePros.com
Q: How easy was it to use?
A: The Quarter Stick is just as easy to use
as any traditional ratchet but provides a
unique form factor that can be beneficial
for accessing fasteners in tight areas or
without a clear line of sight.
Q: How does this tool compare to
other tools you've used like it?
A: The offset of this tool as well as its length
provide advantages in terms of access
around obstructions and leverage that are
not provided by similar tools.
Q: What features did you like?
A: The knurled wheel on the backside of
each ratcheting mechanism provides an
easy way to help manually rotate the socket
or bit being used until there is sufficient
friction to allow the ratcheting mechanism
to work consistently.
Q: What types of jobs/repairs
did you use this tool for? Please
provide a few specific examples.
A: This tool worked well for accessing
A/C compressor hardware in a cramped
This product was given to the reviewer free of charge from the manufacturer.
32 PTEN FEBRUARY 2023 www.VehicleServicePros.com
Q: Is there any way you could think
to improve or add to this tool?
A: The offset built into each end of the
tool via its S shape works well in general,
but a fixed offset will never work perfectly
in every possible application. Having the
ability to vary this offset would increase
access in certain circumstances, but
the additional bulk generated by such a
mechanism might outweigh some of the
advantages.
Q: Is there anything you had questions
or concerns about in regard to the tool?
A: Exhaust work is one of the areas
specifical ly targeted in the tool 's
marketing, and while it could certainly
be useful in accessing exhaust manifold
fasteners, I question its long term durability
when used in such an application
given that it uses a 1/4 " drive ratcheting
mechanism that seems as though it may have
already been scaled down some from
typical dimensions to make the tool
more compact.
BRIAN NOEL is a full-time
Automotive Mechanics
Technology Professor at
Cosumnes River College in
Sacramento, CA. He teaches the
Ford ASSET program as well as
a variety of traditional automotive courses. Noel
is a Ford Senior Master Technician, ASE Master
Automobile Technician, ASE Advanced Level
Specialist, and CA BAR certified SMOG inspector,
repair technician, and instructor. He also holds
a Bachelor of Science degree in Career and
Technical Studies from California State University,
Sacramento, and is working towards a Master's
degree in Educational Technology, also from
California State University, Sacramento.
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February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2023
