CoGT3

Hello all,
Looking for some input on tools to work on the car. I am not looking to do major surgery, but want to able to do simply service, ie: change tires, change pads (and R/R rear caliper), change oil, etc. I have surveyed the older posts and seems like a torque wrench and cordless impact driver might come in quite handy (haven't decided yet whether to do the AC hydraulic jack and jack stands vs Bend Pak scissor lift).

It seems the consensus on torque wrenches is Snap On. My question is which model would be most useful? what range of torques? 3/8" or 1/2" drive? Snap On website has so many options its hard to figure out.

Second, any consensus on cordless impact drivers? 18V, 24V? Any particular brand stand out? Also, how do you prevent over torquing the wheel nuts?

As always,
Thanks for your help,
Matt

quattrothatcould

Depends what you'd be using the torque wrench for. If its for wheel bolts and other "large" items, then a 1/2" might be the best bet. If its smaller bolts in the interior or around the engine bay, then a 3/8" would be better. I personally use a 1/2" but I primarily use it for wheel bolts and such

WHB Porsche

By using the torque wrench. You should get a 1/2" and 3/8".

mooty

impact wrench: snap on. 18V. didn't know they have 24v. if so, get that.

jack: AC hydraulic.

changing pads: goto dealer ask for the tool the use to push the pistons back on CGT's brakes. it's like $500 or so. very nicely machined. i keep it on my desk for decor until i need it for pad changes. once you use that, any other way to change pad is just boring and torturous. if you want to spend a bit less, eagleday makes a great tool. very easy to use, but hell ugly.

get a motiv power bleeder too.

a set of snap on sockets and ratchets will be great as well. i didn't know how $$$ they were until the bill showed up

mjb

Wow $500! I use a piece of scrap wood sourced form Home Depot

OldGuy

You dont want to use a block of wood on PCCBs I should get this tool.
a snap on torque wrench is cool too. I have a 25-75 Footlbs 3/8" and a
1/2 Craftsman bar wrench for lug nuts. A nice set of snap on open end wrenches
that have the 13mm wrench in the set.
MAC has nice tools too.

mooty

wait 'til you see this piece of jewel. of course i bought it off MDS when he retired from tracking at a good price.

lawjdc

For a cordless impact wrench, you might wish to consider the 28v Milwaukee. 325 ft/lb of torque. Probably worth 1.5 seconds per lap over an 18v.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/webapp/..._192145_192137

prysma997gt3

Hey folks,

I don't mean to stear this tthread, but since you're talking about tools, etc, what is the correct hex size to remove the rear calipers? I've changed seats and replace the front pads with ease, but I do not have the correct tool to remove the rear calipers.

Thanks!

Luiz

AllanJ

Hey Mooty: How does this beast compare to your desktop jewel? I think it's about $225.

(bottom half of this link and check out the video too)
http://www.theracersgroup.com/shop/

Cheers,

mooty

the nice OEM one i have is much smaller. it's overpriced of course, but i brought it up as "fun" item to waste money on. i got my really cheap from MDS. else i woldn't buy it.

i also have eagleday. that is 90% identical to TRG's red tool you linked. TRG's is much better made.

if you dont track much, just use block of wood, channel lock, toothpick, chopstick , they work. but if you track a lot and cheap like me (i flip the pads left and right to even wear. GT3's tend to wear pads into wedges, i get 400 more miles out of them if i flip them every track days). i also run the pads almost all the way to backing (i dont believe in heat transfer of thinner pads, as i bleed every track day, OCD remember). and at times i have to pull pads on track when they are hot. this TRG or eagle day tool will work well. is it worth $250... i am not sure, but once you use one, it's very hard not to buy one.

it's like impact wrench. i used to use hand tools to remove wheel bolts. then my friend lend me his 18V snap on. i used it once and said to self, i dont care how much it cost. i will have one within 24 hours. it's that good.

Crazy Canuck

Snap-On 18v is over 400 ft/lbs of breaking torque. It is also lighter and smaller than the Milwaukee.

I've used both and bought the Snap-On.

CoGT3

I appreciate everybody's input!

A couple of quick questions:

1) If you could only have one torque to start with, 1/2 or 3/8 drive?

2) For doing the simple things I mentioned, do really need an impact wrench with monster torque breaking ability? Or would something in the 200 ft/lbs range work?

Matt

mooty

if you want an impact wrench, get the one with the highest tq. trust me, else you will buy another.

lawjdc

torque wrench should be 1/2" if you only get one.