Of all the necessary tools you’ll need to work on a car, the ones that deal with nuts and bolts will be the most common you’ll use. You may be aware that nuts and bolts often require torquing to a specific degree on cars to ensure they remain attached.
An incorrectly fastened nut or bolt could potentially come loose if you’re not careful which poses a safety risk. The most common you’ll probably come across is wheel nuts, which hold the wheels on and we don’t really have to tell you about the importance of keeping wheels attached to a car.
One downside to these tightened fasteners is that they can be a real pain to loosen. A quick blast with an impact wrench makes it effortless, but they’re expensive tools and not the first thing you’ll have in the event of a breakdown. Breaker bars are the perfect tool for loosening tough nuts, they’re simple to use and really strong, and best of all, they don’t cost a fortune. We’ve chosen our favourite examples below for easy wrenching.
Shop the best Breaker Bars
The best breaker bar
The socket head can be rotated by 270° and supports the typical 1/2 Inch Dq. Drive which means most socket sets will fit. Like most socket holders, it features a spring-loaded ball bearing mechanism to hold the socket securely in place too.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Great socket head adjustability
Cons
- Handle isn’t the most comfortable
| Length | 600mm |
| Material | Chrome Vanadium Steel |
The best breaker bar on a budget
It may not have the perfectly polished finish or stylish design touches of the other options, but when you’re knee-deep in oil at the side of the road in the rain I doubt you’ll care that much. A more serious however is the shorter handle, meaning shifting nuts and bolts will be more reliant upon your muscles.
Pros
- Well-made
- Affordable
Cons
- Shorter arm than other options
| Length | 450mm |
| Material | Chrome Vanadium Steel |
The best breaker bar for tough jobs
Pros
- Longest product in this list
- Designed for vans
- Manufactured to high standards
Cons
- Hard to store
| Length | 640mm |
| Material | Chrome Vanadium Steel |
The best extendable breaker bar
Pros
- Easy to store while still being strong
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Expensive
What is a breaker bar?
A breaker bar is like any other wrench but is entirely solid in its construction, there is no ratcheting mechanism which means breaker bars are capable of reaching higher levels of torque and loosening really tight bolts. Known for having a longer handle than other wrenches, this design allows for the maximum amount of torque to be drawn from the operator.
You can get even more torque with a cheater bar, a pipe slid onto the end to offer extra purchase and extend the arm of the wrench. These won’t really be required for automotive tasks, they’ll be mostly reserved for industrial use or loosening cross-threaded bolts.
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