October 2023 - 50

Tool Aid
In-Line Brake Pad Gauge
Reviewed by Matt Fanslow, diagnostic tech/shop manager
at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, Minnesota.
Q: How did the tool function
as far as saving you time?
A: The Tool Aid In-Line Brake Pad Gauge,
No. 65300, allows you to contribute to evidence-based
inspections by quickly measuring
the brake pad friction thickness. In many
cases, you don't need to remove the wheel to
do so. This saves the shop time and the client
money as they are not paying for a full-blown
brake inspection, namely in cases when the
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Tool Aid In-Line Brake Pad
Gauge, No. 65300, provides an easy
and compact way of taking brake pad
readings during service. The in-line
style allows the gauge to be used on
many vehicles without removing the
wheels, the straight probe makes it
possible to take and maintain readings,
even when vision is obscured, and it
works on internal and external pads.
The red, yellow, green metric gauge
allows for quick go-no-go readings on
the fly and is calibrated against a 6mm
backing plate.
Circle 88 on card or click " PTEN e-inquiry " on
VehicleServicePros.com
vehicle is not in for a brake inspection or complaint,
but as part of a courtesy inspection.
Q: What kind of setup was involved
before using the product?
A: The setup involved removing the product
from its packaging which was solved
with a razor blade. No humans were
harmed during the extraction.
Q: How easy was it to use?
A: It was so easy that we didn't immediately
realize there were instructions with
the tool.
Q: How was its packaging? Did it
come with any accessories?
A: The packaging enabled the tool to be
easily displayed in a store or tool truck.
Q: Was there a manual included? If
so, did you use the manual and was
the manual easy to understand?
A: There were instructions; the tool is quite
self-explanatory in its use.
Q: What features did you like?
A: The color coding makes for great DVI
inspection photos. People see red and are
quicker to spend green.
This product was given to the reviewer free of charge from the manufacturer.
50 PTEN OCTOBER 2023 www.VehicleServicePros.com
Q: What types of jobs/repairs
did you use this tool for?
A: We used it almost 100 percent for courtesy
inspections.
Q: Have you used a previous version of
this tool? If so, what are some features
compared to the older version?
A: I don't know that it is technically a previous
version, but we have two other versions
of this type of tool. Our techs gravitated
to this one after a few days. Luckily, we
have yet to witness a fistfight over the tool.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would
you rate this tool overall? Why?
A: Nine or 10. My gut says nine, but for what
it is and what it offers us in the service bay
it is a 10. This does what you need it to.
MATT FANSLOW is the shop manager
for Riverside Automotive, an
all makes/all models independent
repair shop in Red Wing,
Minnesota. He has over 27 years
of experience in the automotive
industry and is an ASE Master Certified Technician
(A1-A8) and an L1 Automobile Advanced Engine
Performance Specialist. He also has his own
podcast, Matt Fanslow Diagnosing the Aftermarket
A to Z, that provides a wide-open perspective on
all aspects of the automotive aftermarket from a
working diagnosticians' point of view.
http://protoolequipment.hotims.com/r5/search.asp?action=search&return_by_category=y http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2023
