A few general service tool questions

[Dallus]

I am debating leaving my current job for a job at Firestone as a C-tech. It seems the C-Tech does a bit of everything, oil changes, brakes, alignments, etc and I had a couple questions of tools I may need to do these jobs. I have acquired a pretty good basic set of tools during my time at the oil change place and have had a few questions.

My coworker said for alignments a 21mm semi-deep swivel impact is one of the most useful tools.

I've done 2 sets of Chrysler front brakes and IIRC the caliper pin uses a 9/35 hex. It may or may not be that but it's some stupid size. Who sells a bit for these Chryslers?

I'm still debating leaving my current job though. I'm currently an asst mgr at the oil change and do a couple mechanical job a week there. The last "big" on was a water pump on a 03 C1500 which took about 50 minutes including waiting for oreilly to deliver the thermostat. One before that was an A/C Compressor & Drier on a Lincoln Aviator. Nothing too difficult!

I love doing mechanical work and HATE selling stuff so that's the only reason I'm considering the switch.

I do have a degree in civil engineering and don't wanna be stuck at any job forever, because I do want a position using my degree, so this will hopefully be temporary. I love fixing things and there may be more opportunity to do so at Firestone. Plus I can get some ASE Certs and make quite a bit more than I currently do.

Any help choosing tools for this job would be greatly appreciated!! And any advice into switching or not from members who have been there before will also be appreciated!!

 

[dink]

No such thing as a 35th...are you sure it isn't a 9/32 ???

 

[Dallus]

Yeah 32. Sorry fat fingers.


Grapevine?? Sweet I live in flower mound.

 

[daveblank]

Go to the Firestone & talk to the techs, not the managers. See what they have to say.

 

[znowaczyk]

if you dont want to have to sell stuff, stay away from firestone...they make their living off of the upsell...

 

[bobcatdan]

Find out what the other techs commonly use. There are too many variables of us to say what you need. Good assortment of hand tools and a 1/2" impact will go a long way. Allen and torx sockets for brakes caliper slides, nothing to special there.

 

[moronmountain]

I don't know if you can have any kind of a service/tech job without having pressure to upsell. I do agree that you should just ask one of the techs there what you need at a minimum to get going. I would personally buy all my impact sockets from Harbor Freight. I have all Snap-on and Cornwell wrenches and sockets, and I still would only buy impacts from HF. Impact IMO are disposable goods, and I don't care much about "fit and finish" on them. I must say though, it's a sad day in the USA when someone with a degree in civil engineering is having to get service jobs....... Nothing against you at all, but I'm sure you'd rather be doing something else than managing an Oil Can Henry's.

 

[Dallus]

Yeah youre right. But engineering is up an down with the economy. Maybe it's just God testing my patience. But I graduated in 12/2009 and have been on maybe 4 interviews since then. I've sent out probably 150+ resumes so it's not like I'm not trying. At least I'm employed and I'm damn thankful about that.


Edit: don't post and drive. Dangerous.

 

[johnsdeere850j]

Yeah youre right. But engineering is up an down with the economy. Maybe it's just God testing my patience. But I graduated in 12/2009 and have been on maybe 4 interviews since then. I've sent out probably 150+ resumes so it's not like I'm not trying. At least I'm employed and I'm damn thankful about that.


Edit: don't post and drive. Dangerous.

That's too bad...Economy must be a lot worse than I thought. Good luck with whatever you do!

 

[Dallus]

Well there are some jobs out there in this field, but you need experience. But nobody will hire anyone without it. So it becomes a chicken and the egg deal. It's ok...things will come around. Now is the time to stay current with engineering goings on and rack up the ASE CERTS!!!!