New tool arrived today

**Mich's04** · 10-22-2009, 05:49 PM

My Kent Moore rear x-member alignment tool arrived today. $370 shipped.

I wanted to check my alignment of the original x-member before I swapped in the new x-member. Needless to say it was off a little.

Your probably wondering why the hell I'm swapping out x-members. Well the PO drove the GTO thru 3 winters here and the road salt did it's thing to the suspension components back there. So me being anal. I wanted one rust free. So I found a complete '04 x-member on ebay. I mean complete, rotor to rotor, diff and all. It had about 5 or 6k on it, price was $147, cost me 6 hrs. round trip of my time and $40 in gas to get it.

So tonight I put the Pedders x-member mount bushings in, poly diff mount and a new set of drag bags in. And of course aligned the x-member.

I'm curious though. Would it be illegal to make a copy of this tool for resale. It looks pretty simple to duplicate. Plus it would be way cheaper.

**cammed goat** · 10-22-2009, 05:56 PM

I don't think it would be illegal. Aren't the tools for our cars already discontinued?

**PatrizioD** · 10-22-2009, 06:00 PM

Im not too sure about the legality of copying a tool, but I wouldnt think it would matter. If you're really concerned, make a small meaningless change in the design, like a box handle instead of a round one, or something stupid like that. It worked for Vanilla Ice when he stole the beat from Under Pressure...

**0rion** · 10-22-2009, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mich's04

My Kent Moore rear x-member alignment tool arrived today. $370 shipped.

I wanted to check my alignment of the original x-member before I swapped in the new x-member. Needless to say it was off a little.

Your probably wondering why the hell I'm swapping out x-members. Well the PO drove the GTO thru 3 winters here and the road salt did it's thing to the suspension components back there. So me being anal. I wanted one rust free. So I found a complete '04 x-member on ebay. I mean complete, rotor to rotor, diff and all. It had about 5 or 6k on it, price was $147, cost me 6 hrs. round trip of my time and $40 in gas to get it.

So tonight I put the Pedders x-member mount bushings in, poly diff mount and a new set of drag bags in. And of course aligned the x-member.

I'm curious though. Would it be illegal to make a copy of this tool for resale. It looks pretty simple to duplicate. Plus it would be way cheaper.

Sarge is the guy to ask about that. I forget the reason but you can make simple tools like that because they can't patent a simple tool or something. An example would be a 1/2" open end wrench.
Now if it had unique properties I'm sure there would be patent on it but probably only on the name I would guess. Example of that would be a gear wrench. Many people make that style of wrench but only 1 can make a "gear wrench". Like I say, if I'm full of it Sarge will tell me in the morning but that was my understanding of it.

**Mich's04** · 10-23-2009, 07:26 AM

Ok, we'll wait for Sarge to chime in.

I went to the local Pontiac dealer awhile back to see if they were interested in selling off some of their GTO specialty tools. Of course the answer was no, and they said, we will continue to service Pontiacs well into the future. So I figured just to bite the bullet and buy it. Lot of $$ for 7.25 lbs. of metal square stock.

**Damage Inc.** · 10-25-2009, 04:46 AM

I'm not Sarge but, I would think that there is some type of patent on the tool. So if you make one to sell you need to change it a little. Have you checked to see if someone like "SK" or "Matco" makes one? They may only be available down under.

**Mich's04** · 10-25-2009, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the input so far.

The other question is, would there be any demand out there for this tool? I can't see a ton of people messing with their rear x-members enough to justify buying one. Any thoughts on this?

**Damage Inc.** · 10-25-2009, 10:51 AM

Probably not.

**pocket rocket** · 10-25-2009, 08:51 PM

yea i want one, i could share w/ other GTO gearhaeds

**pocket rocket** · 10-25-2009, 08:55 PM

hey can you post a pic of this tool with dimensions

**Sarge** · 10-26-2009, 05:00 AM

If you just lay their tool out and copy it exactly they could possibly have a intellectual property infringement case against you. But all you have to do is change one or two aspects/dimensions of your tool and your good. I doubt there is much of a market frankly to justify your effort.

**pocket rocket** · 10-26-2009, 12:16 PM

hey is this alignment tool for the purpose of aligning the rear tires ? I mean toe in and out or is this some thing else? can it be used for front end alignment?

**Sarge** · 10-27-2009, 03:09 AM

Cradle alignment.

**Mich's04** · 10-28-2009, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the insite. Maybe in the near future I'll make a copy for myself and just sell this one or rent it out. I don't need any legal problems.

pocket rocket,
When I get some time I'll pm you the dimensions and pics. I'm in the middle of another home improvement project. The Miss's wants her new Master F*** Pad, er I mean bedroom completed by Thanksgiving.

**CamaroFan71** · 10-28-2009, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Mich's04

The Miss's wants her new Master F*** Pad, er I mean bedroom completed by Thanksgiving.

Don't forget the mirrors on the ceiling. I like to watch us while she's on me and you're at work.

**Mich's04** · 10-28-2009, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by CamaroFan71

Don't forget the mirrors on the ceiling. I like to watch us while she's on me and you're at work.

Mirrors, camera, action!
Make me an exciting f*** flick while I'm at work. Oh and leave a 20 on the night stand. I'll need to get a case of beer while I watch. Or shall I get a 40 ouncer since it shouldn't take you to long.