For someone who is just getting into working on cars in general, I'm wondering what tools would people consider to be important tools for working on cars.

I am also wondering if there are people on this form who are open to the idea of lending some tools to other users to may live nearby

 

Your standard 'tool sets' are going to be able to handle the vast majority of the jobs that you are going to be doing.

I personally recommend getting a nice set of ratchets though, but you don't have to go crazy.

 

Hey man, im also relatively New to working on cars as well, im about a year and a half in my first build and I would buy set by set, depending on which job I was doing on the car. But when working on my FC I quickly found out a Torch and impact was gunna be needed for some things, I waited until black friday for any powertools

 

socket set,wrenches,pliers,vicegrips,breaker bar,screw driver set...Case of beer..band-aids...

 

It depends on how deep you want to get into it, but I couldn't live without an impact gun/air compressor. Battery tools are getting so good now you could do a decent battery powered 1/2" impact gun.

Don't forget your essentials like a low profile jack and jack stands.

 

- torque wrench (click-type not dial-type) See the factory service manual for torque settings.
- metric socket set and metric crescent wrench set
- phillips screwdriver set
- interior trim removal tool (looks like a screwdriver with a forked end)
- low-profile jack
- jack stands (at least 2)
- oil drain pan
- oil filter wrench
- slip-joint pliers
- funnel set (one for brake fluid, one for coolant, one for oil)
- adjustable wrench if you plan to drain the differential fluid
- maybe a steering wheel removal tool

The major generic auto parts stores (Napa, Autozone, O'Reilley, etc.) offer this service for free. This is where you should get less-used tools like bearing pullers.

 

Definitely invest in a nice ratchet set for sure. Basically a must have for any at home car work.

 

i hate lending tools to people i even know...

often i have to hunt them down, after i've been ranting about needing the tool i loaned out for 15 minutes because someone was too lazy to return it.

 

I always keep a small tool kit that I keep where my spare tire use to sit.

It consists of new spark plugs, 21mm thin socket, ratchet, 2-stroke oil, and some ATF.

Your gonna need these sooner or later.

 

Whats the 21mm socket for?


wait until Christmas time if you can and go to sears.
they have good started mechanic kits for up to half off.
then you can pick up the more specific tools as needed.
still wish i spent more there than snap on but whatever.

 

^21mm for stock wheel lug nuts.


This, except I prefer oil filter sockets. And like the ratchet wrenches.

 

one tool to keep in mind, a camera. I use my phone to document my tear downs. Working on my 12a engine right now and have plenty of pics of everything to help when I am ready to reinstall.