Fill in my Christmas List!

[DinosGSR]

I'm looking to purchase a MKIV Supra next year, and I know I will do some work on it, so before Christmas hits, I want to find out what tools I should own to work on one.

Here's what I have:
Basic metric 3/8ths socket set
Wire cutters
Pliers and needle nose
Hammers
Screwdrivers

Here's what's on my list so far:
butane soldering iron
socket wrench extensions
deep sockets
jack and jack stands
4-way lug wrench
Mechanix gloves (2 or 3 pairs)
safety glasses
padded wheelie thing to get under the car (can't for the life of me think of its name)



Help me fill in what else I need! I'm taking some car repair classes this winter to get myself primed. Thanks!

[deadlock32]

Originally Posted by DinosGSR

padded wheelie thing to get under the car (can't for the life of me think of its name)

'tis a creeper

If you goto Home Depot, look at the ratches, there is one awesome ratched that works by twisting the handle... it wont replace a nice normal ratched, but man does that thing come in handy.

[BigJimZ28]

shop manual for your car

[Eliot Ness]

I didn't notice a good set of wrenches on your list yet. A set of Gear Wrenches (ratcheting) are also very handy to have around..... but they won't replace having a good set of basic box/open end wrenches (I personally prefer a 6 point set).

A good torque wrench (3/8" and/or 1/2" drive) will eventually be needed, even if it is only used to re-torque lug nuts when putting your wheels back on.

A set of Channel Locks and Crescent wrenches also come to mind.

You'll also need to start thinking about a good tool chest.

I'm sure others will chime in with other ideas, but if you go somewhere like the tool dept. at Sears and just walk around you'll get plenty of other ideas.

[DinosGSR]

Thanks for the tips, I'm making up a list now, here's what else I've added from other folks giving me ideas:

torque wrench
pry bar / breaker bar
flex head gear wrenches
lighting equipment
"Bone Creeper" ( I hear it's a lot better than others )
magnet pickup tool/dish
mechanics mirror
channel locks
crescent wrenches

Maybe some tubes of silicone/anti-seize stuff? Lemme know what I would need

[JohnZ3MC]

rechargeable led shop light is very handy and safe.

[BigJimZ28]

pry bar / breaker bar

two different tools:
a breaker bar has a drive head(for use with sockets) on the end and is usually longer than
a standard ratchet for added leverage
pry bar well thats a pry bar!

[Titania]

Having completely disassembled and re-assembled a car myself (including rebuilding an engine), I think I can offer some advise.

You'll need a 3/4" ratchet for breaking loose suspension components. An impact wrench would be even better. For many things a 3/8" drive just isn't going to cut it, especially if there's rust involved.

Yes, you definitely need anti-sieze. Just about every bolt you put back in the car should be anti-siezed.

A really nice wire stripper/cutter.

Dead blow hammer - usually plastic and filled with steel shot. You use this in areas you can't risk damaging with a steel hammer.

Fender cover

Bolt-out - when you're at your wits end due to snapping off a bolt or rounding over a nut beyond hope, these will save your butt. WONDERFUL tool! Craftsman 52166 10 pc. Damaged Bolt/Nut Remover Set, Low Profile Bolt-Out at Sears.com

If you plan on doing brakes, you'll need some standard C-clamps. Brake bleeder kits also come in handy.

Most of the speciality tools you'll need for suspension/engine work...pulley pullers, tie-rod tools, ball joint breakers, strut/spring compressors etc can be rented from most auto parts places.

A big vise also really comes in handy for pressing out bearings, etc.

Hope that helps!

[BigJimZ28]

Originally Posted by Titania

You'll need a 3/4" ratchet

wow that a big ratchet!

I don't even use my 1/2" much because I was alway breaking stuff with it: nuts, bolts even cracked a few craftsman sockets with it.

[Titania]

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

wow that a big ratchet!

I don't even use my 1/2" much because I was alway breaking stuff with it: nuts, bolts even cracked a few craftsman sockets with it.

No doubt you have to be careful with it. But, my 1/2" just wouldn't cut it when it came to suspension work, especially when I was up at the upper end of the socket range for the 1/2". If the car is in a rust-free state, then a 3/4" probably isn't necessary. Mine wasn't.

I've found where you can easily get into trouble is with breaker bars. Snapped off a few suspension bolts, but that wasn't a big deal since they were so rusty that only about half of the bolt was even still there. I've never cracked a socket before.