I am compiling a MUST HAVE tool list for a friend's FD web site.

I have so far:

rachet (of course)
10 mm socket
14 mm socket
telescoping magnet (for the clumsy types)
short handle phillips head (those hard to reach hose clamps and more)
rubber mallet (for the wheels)

How about your faves?

 

-A socket set (metric)
-Screwdrivers, standard, phillips, and allen
-spring hose clamps (ever go after a stock air filter???)
-a decent caliper piston expander...I kinda dinked mine with the last pad change
-Torque Wrench X 2, each with separate resolutions. There are some settings in low teen foot-pounds, and some with several hundred.
-Two funnels, one for water, and one for the oils (OK, so, I'm a bit ****...shoot me. :p)


If you have a shop:
-Compressor and Impact wrenches...my last roommate had one for his Land Rover collection, and I miss having it at hand.
-A supply of lights (flashlights for those smaller, esoteric places, and of course drop lamps.)

These to me would be basic. Having most of these things would make me rely less on the shop, and more on myself. I have access to a lift through my job, (got to love who pays for my bills,) and these are the tools that I usually need to ask someone for.

 

Seems you only use 10mm and 14mm, but you may as well get a whole set.
Where do we use the allen wrenches?
I don't think I understand. The hose clamps we have are spring hose clamps. Will you explain?
This sounds expensive. How much? Is there a cheap or common alternative?
You must be loaded. Expensive, but useful. You are making me jealous.
****...yes...but a good thing.

 

i think some extra silicone hose and a few zip ties are good to have. I also have a vacuum/pressure checker.

My strut brace has allen bolts.

mechanic gloves, the plastic really retains heat so it makes it easier to handle sooner.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by girl7

Seems you only use 10mm and 14mm, but you may as well get a whole set.

Where do we use the allen wrenches?

-If memory serves, they are used in some of the hidden electronics and some of the trim/decoration

[/B]I don't think I understand. The hose clamps we have are spring hose clamps. Will you explain?[/B]

-Spring hose clamp pliers. My bad. They have channels that keep the spring clamp from slipping out of them. I have used 4" C-clamps to compress the clamp flanges. If I had a penny for every time one of those miserable spring clamps slipped out of my clamps, I would have enough to pay for a full restore on my car, and therapy for myself after having the spring clamp slip at a moment's notice.


[/B]This sounds expensive. How much? Is there a cheap or common alternative?[/B]

-I have no idea. The last time I went after my pads, I BENT and BROKE the above 4" C-clamp trying to compress the front caliper pistons, and I dinked them in the process. I would have paid the cost of finding the SST for that job. The rear caliper pistons can be twisted down with a pair of pliers (covered tips, to avoid dinking the piston


[/B]You must be loaded. Expensive, but useful. You are making me jealous.[/B]

-My last roommate was. We both watched in abject terror as his 'Rovers fell apart before our eyes. He had a bumper sticker on one that said, "Every part that falls off of this vehicle is of the highest British quaility." He had most of the tools. You would need at least one torque wrench. When you go after suspension, brakes, and other vital components, never trust your own tightening without hearing the click of the breaker-bar type wrench, or the indicator reaching the zone of the torque settings.

[/B]****...yes...but a good thing. [/B]

-Comes with being a medical student. My car is my joy, my life, and my cheap thrill when I have to go in to the hospital by 4am (good news is that traffic is rather scarce at that time of day.)

 

Ramps and/or jackstands

 

sorry double post

 

The extra long needle-nose pliers that Advance Auto parts sells.

A heavy punching bag and a cussin' jar are nice to have too!

 

Titanium gloves for those frequent slips on the wrench.

 

Liquid Wrench or WD-40

 

Well many of these would be nice to have, but as far as VITAL tools to have in small tool box.

3/8 metric socket set
stub phillips head
locking pliers
These can get a lot of use...I think I replaced my radiator using just these.

magnet
I'm always using a magnet because of my clumsy butt.

adjustable crescent wrench
An adjustable crescent wrench might help once in a while and I've only used it for the oil drian plug.

Cheap handy items:
latex gloves
rags...lots of them
mirror on telescopic shaft
dental pick
poor man's ramps I made them from a 12ft 2x10. Cut and beveled incremental lengths and fastened them together. Cost about $10.

zip ties and extra hose
Good idea

Others I want:
mechanic's gloves
You are right...I have a blister on my hand now...from the engine compartment...not what caused yours.
torque wrench
I want one, but a good one is expensive and you don't really use it often...hopefully.

extra bolts
Are those the 10mm that are so common under the hood with number 9 or is it 6 on it?

 

If you have a hydraulic lift in your garage you suck. If not, you're like most of us and will need to be sure to have jacks, jack stands on hand. Also, because you'll be getting under a slightly lifted car, having a creeper makes the job so much easier (I installed sway bars on an NSX w/o one and it sucked really bad, but I did tranny and diff oil on my FD w/ one and it was great.)

Oh yeah, goggles/glasses, rubber gloves and orange hand cleaner. I've had far too many close calls to not use safety glasses anymore (got paint stripper in my eye not too long ago, no damage, but scared the poo outta me).

 

Duct tape and Petroleum jelly!!!

 

A friend with a case of coronas

 

Gotta have a timing light...

 

There, are by far, the BEST glvoes I have ever owned. The have extra padding where it counts and even have a cushining on your palm to prevent blisters. VERY nice fitting gloves with thin fingertips to be able to feel most small parts

http://www.mechanix.com/product_html/product2_frame.htm