whatpistons

I have had my 7 for close to six months now and am lovin it. I need to learn to work on this baby myself. While I know the parts of a car and a fair amount about modding them I havent done much hands on work an the 7 or any other car ive owned. Right now I dont have the space or the tools to work, living in an apart complex, but I will be renting out a garage hear starting in a few months. I need to get myself a good set of tools that so I can learn to do anything on this car that I want. (within reason) A list of tools that I should try to purcahse before I get this garage would be appreciated. I want to be able to do anything that a shop can do, minus compression test etc... You guys understand what im getting at. Also, what is the best shop manual out there? I had a chitlins for my accord that was pretty good, I want to learn about every last part on this car. A manual that had both NA and T2 in it, but that was talked about seperately would be great. Down the road when this motor dies I will be doing a swap, and I would like to have the ability to do it mostly or entirely myself. (and freind)

Icemark - maybe if we get a good list here it could get put in the FAQ. Im sure that a lot of people would like to learn to do more work on their cars. I know that there are a lot of new NA owners out there that just like me, need to start learning.

Thnx guys.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

Buy a small tool set METRIC! basically half the car can be disassembled with this 10-11-12-13-14-15mm sockets/wrenches. Get a Haynes not a chiltons.

88ROTARY

go with the chiltons manual its more informational. do as many web searches possible and ask a lot of question. as far as tools sears a huge variety of combos check-em out. but specialty tool would have to come from some mazda source. good luck

MtnRacer

Don't forget the 17mm. Basically, Mazda uses 5 bolt/nut sizes: 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, and 17mm. There are a "few" exceptions, but not many. So pick up a set of box end wrenches and a set of sockets that contain these sizes. You'll also want a good pair of grippy pliers, a pair of needle nose pliers, a nice screwdriver with removable heads. A HAMMER(or as I like to call it, a Mazda SST ) These are the BASICS. You can use this foundation to build upon. For example, a 32mm socket comes in handy for when you need to take the hub nuts off, another socket for the flywheel nut, a nice torque wrench, a brake piston tool, etc. etc.

Steve

whatpistons

THnx guys this helps

Chitlons or Haynes?

I guess i am going to go look at them both myself

MtnRacer

Santiago seems to prefer Haynes, I personally would shell out the bucks for a factory service manual(I have 2 of them now, you can never have too many! ). This was an invaluable purchase. If you can't afford it, download one of the many copies available on the internet and keep it on CD. A haynes or chilton's manual can complement this, but never replace it.

Steve

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

I don't prefer anything but enough people have told me the chilton sucks to make me say it sucks. I have the haynes and its good enough for me to work on both my FC's which are both N/a TII and S4 and S5.

Mr. Gadget

Manuals in my opinion of best to worst
FCM
Haynes
Chilton's

Icemark

The factory shop manuals already have/list all the tools you will need other than basic hand tools.

andrew lohaus

dont forget a deep walled socket for the spark plugs!

casio

what about for wiring? what i remember, the Haynes was very lacking. i always found everything i needed for schematics and testing electrical in a Mitchell, yet i feel as though i am one of the few to praise these (though i haven't heard a single complaint either). the online FSM even seemed lacking whereas the Mitchell was my bible.

SpeedFreak03

I also like haynes better (well i know for honda manuals they are better then chiltons so i assume they are better for mazdas too). I think this is a really good thread, as I want to be able to be my own mechanic once I get my 7.

dubrc

i'd also recommend getting a cheap digital multi meter (DMM), and learn how to use it properly. they are a must for trouble shooting and for 20 or 30 bucks, they are worth their weight in gold

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

I have a haynes manual, and its fine most of the time, but recently there have been a few things that either weren't there or were near impossible to find. The index is pretty crappy, so you have to search through a lot of stuff to find some of the more obscure things. You should definately get one, but you might need to look at the FSM for some stuff. Is the online FSM any different than the real one? I like having a physical copy, but its pretty expensive, so is it worth it, and where should you get it? I found one at Racing Beat, but are there better places to get one?
Also, what features should you look for on a multimeter for use on a car, and which brands are good? I would like to get fairly nice one, since I'm going to be using it for computer stuff as well.

SevenGirl

-Can't beat Fluke DMM's. Additional FSM Retailers: www.Mazdatrix.com, www.Mazdaformance.com

peacekeeper

hehe. I was in this perdicament awhile back about the books, so I ended up buying them all. lol. the FSM is unbeleivably awsome, but the Haynes is the bomb as well. But then again you have a web site full of peeps that practically have the whole car memorized anyways. Buy a basic metric tool set, and you should be set for a nice little while.
peace.
Charles

vectorminds

floor jack, 4 jack stands (as high as you can get)
pliers (slide lock, channel lock, needle nose, cutting)
vice grips
nice sized metric socket / wrench set
extra 10 mm stuff (comes in handy, like swivels, ratcheting box wrench, nut spinner)
torque wrench
full set of philips + flat head screwdrivers (maybe torx)
hammer, (brass headed maybe)

if you wanna do everything a shop can:
compressor
impact wrench w/ sockets

optional:
air hammer w/ pickel forks
cutoff wheel
die grinder
air ratchet

and all the little goodies that go along with air tools

that should be a good start

also a supply of all the consumables in the car should you need to change them after working on something... oil, coolant, brake fluid, gear oil....

everything there but the consumables can be picked up at sears... decent quality, and lifetime warrenty... if you get a crafstman club card and catch them on a sale day you can sometimes swing around 30 - 40 percent off of tools

dubrc

absolutely, but for a someone stocking a garage, i wouldn't recomment dropping 300$ on a meter right away

szuchung

Lighting! How about lighting and power outlet. You need light to work in dark area and under the car.

Anyone have a good suggestion on floor jack for ultra lowered FD? Brand and price please! Thanks.