Baby

New owner wondering what I should have around for the basic tasks. Bentley and Project books on the way. In the meantime, I assume I'll need the following:

1. soft socket for wheel lug nuts
2. valve adjustment tool and blades
3. beer

What else do you guys have around for basic maintenance above and beyond universal hand tools?

KILRWAIL

Ah, where to start...You'll need a special tool to hold the fan pulley so you can loosen the nut to change the belt; Allen sockets for the CV joints, sway bar brackets, etc.; a 24" extension for the inner CV joint cap screws; an 11 mm flare wrench for the bleeder screws; a 19 mm speed wrench for the brake calipers; an 8mm socket for hose clamps; a 3/8" drive wobble extension or a set of wobble sockets...What did I forget?

ivangene

Wallet
Time
Band-aids
Quarter jar (for swearing)
Internet



Jack, jackstands

abe

The little thing between your ears is probably the best tool.
abe

whalebird

A set of allen wrench sockets. 3,4,5,6,8, and 10mm. 3-6mm in 1/4 drive, 8,10mm in 3/8.
I have a long(~18in) flathead srewdriver that I call my "911 screwdriver" seems to come in handy
flexible nut drivers (6 and 7mm), a screwdriver with a springy shaft, for hose clamps

There's more but it will never end if you want it all.

TroyN

Search here for the thread called (pretty sure) the 36 degree valve adjustment tool. Get a power bleeder and hose clamp dealie to pinch off the brake reservoir overflow hose. 3mm t-shaped allen to adjust mixture (assuming you have CIS, what year is your car?). Good luck!

rusnak

Multi-meter. Do some reading about these. Some have the auto range feature, which is nice.

In general, buy pro-quality tools, a few at a time, not in a big rush.

911Dave

Don't go out and buy all this stuff at the beginning, except for the obvious things like a set of metric combination wrenches and sockets. Buy the others as you need them. Some of the ones mentioned you may never need, others you might not need for a couple of years.

Ed Hughes

A Factory Tool Kit is a must-it has the special aforementioned wrench to hold the fan pulley, and the factoy spark plug tool which is superb among other tools.

Baby

That's a relief. I have most of this stuff already, with the exception of the springy bits, the long allen for CIS mixture adjustment, and the custom valve adjustment helper. I've heard high praise for the factory spark plug tool.

By the way, what's this?

KILRWAIL

I don't know what that is for, but it looks like a right angled screw driver - maybe left handed ;-)

I have a spare long, T-handled Allen wrench for CIS mixture adjustment, if you want it for postage. Send me a PM.

whalebird

Factory lever for manually opening(really closing)sunroof in an emergency.

whalebird

A 3mm t-handle allen is great for adjusting CIS mixture, but unless you have a good idea how to do it, don't monkey with it. Most shops will have a good system for setting the timing/idle speed/and mixtures within the perscribed values. It takes a bit of experience, but adjusting CIS by ear/feel is not something you get right the first time.

Baby

That's downright thoughtful.

ivangene

does anyone use this manual? http://www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.htm

front couple pages shows tools and gives a statement about how even the average Joe can work on these cars with a few basic tools.... had trouble loading it last night, will try again tonight - save it on computer = faster future openings