Some helpful tools
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
Some helpful tools
I was curious what kind of tools you all have noticed have helped out. Maybe like swivel sockets or different joints or something of that sort. I have allen and hex sockets. I have the 12 point tool for the rear axles, but what else would be good to add to my collection. What tools are helpful with a turbo replacement? Stuff like that.
#2
Burning Brakes
Best tool ever...Rennlist, then racheting wrenches and a small torch for heating the stubborn. Good torque wrench is critical with an aluminum engine. Yes, multible wobble extentions and 6 point sockets. I've found that having an organized tool box saves the most time and frustration, darn near fun to tinker with the toy.
#4
Race Director
Off the top of my head (hand tools only):
~1 set metric wrenches
~1 set metric ratchet wrenches
~1/2" drive metric socket set w/ 6" extension
~3/8" drive (2), & 3/8" deep and standard socket set w/ 4" & 6" extensions
~2- 3/8" universal
~1- 1/2" universal
~HIGH QUALITY metric allen set
~breaker bar
~Klien #2 & #3- 6" shaft phillips screwdrivers
~Klien medium & large tip flat head screwdrivers
~Ratchet driver with Torx & Sqaure bits
~Rubber hammer
~Digital multi-meter (quality)
~Needle Nose Pliers
~90 degree Needle nose
~Channel Locks
~Medium Vice grips
~Tin Snips
~Klien 9" Side Cutters
~Klien dikes
~Klien wire strippers-multi with thread cutter.
~Lennox razor knife
~Inspection mirror
~Entendable tip magnet pick up
~Snake camera (not necessary, but nice to have)
~1 set metric wrenches
~1 set metric ratchet wrenches
~1/2" drive metric socket set w/ 6" extension
~3/8" drive (2), & 3/8" deep and standard socket set w/ 4" & 6" extensions
~2- 3/8" universal
~1- 1/2" universal
~HIGH QUALITY metric allen set
~breaker bar
~Klien #2 & #3- 6" shaft phillips screwdrivers
~Klien medium & large tip flat head screwdrivers
~Ratchet driver with Torx & Sqaure bits
~Rubber hammer
~Digital multi-meter (quality)
~Needle Nose Pliers
~90 degree Needle nose
~Channel Locks
~Medium Vice grips
~Tin Snips
~Klien 9" Side Cutters
~Klien dikes
~Klien wire strippers-multi with thread cutter.
~Lennox razor knife
~Inspection mirror
~Entendable tip magnet pick up
~Snake camera (not necessary, but nice to have)
#6
CPR has a pretty complete list. I'd personally do multiple sets of the common stuff (metric sockets, metric wrenches, etc.) I recently picked up a set of the ratcheting wrenches - pretty cool, very handy.
I'd also add a set of those little "dental pick" tools. Not sure what they're officially called but they look just like dental tools. I use mine ALL the time.
I'd also add a set of those little "dental pick" tools. Not sure what they're officially called but they look just like dental tools. I use mine ALL the time.
Trending Topics
#8
Three Wheelin'
My wobble extensions and telescopic magnet have had a severe workout since getting the 951. The air die grinder was handy when I stripped one of the allen mounting bolts on the underside of the turbo mount.
#9
Burning Brakes
flexible socket driver. 1/4'' can't apply a whole lot of torque on them, but for some of the non-essential bolts, very useful. like the brake cylinder heatshield.
plus what cpr said.
plus what cpr said.
#10
Nordschleife Master
A set of GearWrenches are probably some of the best tools i have ever bought, i use them all the time.
Sockets with the built in flex joint are much better for extreme angles and tight spaces than using a universal flex joint. If you dont want to spring for a full set just get the commonly used ones; 10mm and 13mm are really all i ever use.
Another often overlooked thing is a GOOD quality 3/8" ratchet, flex head is very nice. The typical 6" ones are too short for regular use and too thin making my hands get tired quick. I am talking one with a comfortable handle atleast 10-12" in length. A 72 fine tooth is really nice for tight spaces, but nothing wrong with a standard 36 tooth from Craftsman.
One thing i bought this year which i wish i had a long time ago is an electric impact gun. I have a Bosch which puts out 350ft-lbs and i have yet to come across anything on the car it could not loosen, even the spring plate bolts which are uber tight. Very useful and a major convenience over air tools. I personally will never use the air tools unless its absolutely needed.. too loud, both the tools and the compressor and its annoying having to roll out the air hose all the time.
Other useful things are atleast 1 prybar of reasonable length and a good breaker bar. I cant tell you how many times i get calls from my friends saying they cant figure out how to get something off, when they are trying to loosen a huge bolt or nut using a tiny little ratchet.
Sockets with the built in flex joint are much better for extreme angles and tight spaces than using a universal flex joint. If you dont want to spring for a full set just get the commonly used ones; 10mm and 13mm are really all i ever use.
Another often overlooked thing is a GOOD quality 3/8" ratchet, flex head is very nice. The typical 6" ones are too short for regular use and too thin making my hands get tired quick. I am talking one with a comfortable handle atleast 10-12" in length. A 72 fine tooth is really nice for tight spaces, but nothing wrong with a standard 36 tooth from Craftsman.
One thing i bought this year which i wish i had a long time ago is an electric impact gun. I have a Bosch which puts out 350ft-lbs and i have yet to come across anything on the car it could not loosen, even the spring plate bolts which are uber tight. Very useful and a major convenience over air tools. I personally will never use the air tools unless its absolutely needed.. too loud, both the tools and the compressor and its annoying having to roll out the air hose all the time.
Other useful things are atleast 1 prybar of reasonable length and a good breaker bar. I cant tell you how many times i get calls from my friends saying they cant figure out how to get something off, when they are trying to loosen a huge bolt or nut using a tiny little ratchet.
#12
Race Car
Thread Starter
I have a decent selection of tools. I have the 204 piece mechanic tool set. Also I have some other screwdrivers, along with some extensions. I am looking into getting maybe some wobble extensions and u joints for the ratchets. At my parents house we have so many tools, but out where I live in KC I don't have all that like air tools and what not.
I really want the 12 point 8mm socket for the axles. How much does one of those run?
I really want the 12 point 8mm socket for the axles. How much does one of those run?
#13
Burning Brakes
The best work light I’ve found to date, Gorillatorch Flare, magnetic feet, LED, three AA batteries, sticks under hood, bottom of the car and aim. Joby site. I have the Flare (bright broad useful beam) and the original Torch ( very focused bright beam).
#14
Burning Brakes
Whats the deal with Wobble Extensions vs. maybe say a u joint adapter?
#15
Drifting
I've found my box full of curse words get the most use.
Here's a list of some of my more useful tools:
Ratcheting wrenches (especially the flex heads)
long-handled, flex head ratchet is very useful for reaching deep into the engine bay or around obstacles
A variety of good (i.e. locking) extensions
good 6-pt sockets
The Craftsman Professional screwdrivers rock, esp if you have larger hands like me
swivel sockets
flexible extension for hose clamps on the intake tract
electric impact and ratchet (I have the Ingersoll-Rand ones and like them; not cheap, though)
Here's a list of some of my more useful tools:
Ratcheting wrenches (especially the flex heads)
long-handled, flex head ratchet is very useful for reaching deep into the engine bay or around obstacles
A variety of good (i.e. locking) extensions
good 6-pt sockets
The Craftsman Professional screwdrivers rock, esp if you have larger hands like me
swivel sockets
flexible extension for hose clamps on the intake tract
electric impact and ratchet (I have the Ingersoll-Rand ones and like them; not cheap, though)