Hola. I've worked on cars for years, but might be getting another part-time gig working on semi's & trailers. What tools jump out at you that I might need? Ones a typical automotive tech may not have? Thanks for any input! 
Any BIG Truck techs here?
- Thread starter BowtieGuy
- Start date
chris142
Well-known member
Spicer clutch adjusting tool. Large sockets for the nuts that hold the wheel bearings on and a real big hammer.
tkonetzke
Well-known member
475 ftlb torque stick
stoveboltgunnut
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2012
- Messages
- 234
jacks and stands with the lifting capacity. 1 inch impact and sockets, what the other posters said, and SO much more.
Tribalvision
Well-known member
Depending on what you will be doing at the new place. all you really need is larger tools.Larger sockets/wrenches, You'll need a full punch/chisel set. oxy/acetylene setup to heat rusted bolts. there's some special pliers for the synflex air lines, but you can get away with using a wrench the same size as the airline to remove. you'll need a real good 1/2" Air impact gun. If you will be doing brakes, a good anchor pin bushing driver will help. I'm assuming your shop will have their own wheel seal installation tools. Most of your heavy driveshafts are either 1/2" 12 pt bolts, or 12mm 12 pt bolts. there are pressed in joints you can remove with a bottle jack, or you can pick up a Tiger tool driveshaft removal tool.(I love mine). If your shop is already functioning, they should have clutch alignment tools already. Brake adjustments can be done with standard sockets. What aspect of ruck repair will you be getting into?? Knowing this will help everyone give you advice on what you will need.
Well honestly, I don't really know WHAT I'll be doing exactly. He just says he really needs another guy to help out. I THINK it would be alot of preventitave stuff & light duty type repairs. I would be part-time to get my feet wet until (if) I go there full time. I know another guy that works there & he said I can work out of his box until I move mine there. (if I DO quit the other job).
This shop has been here as long as I can remember, the boss says they supply stuff other than normal hand tools. I told him I don't really know that much about big trucks since I've never done it. He said "You know enough to get started at least" So, we'll see what happens.
This shop has been here as long as I can remember, the boss says they supply stuff other than normal hand tools. I told him I don't really know that much about big trucks since I've never done it. He said "You know enough to get started at least" So, we'll see what happens.
Tribalvision
Well-known member
Maybe pick up a few fuel filter wrenches, large oil filter wrenches. You'll definitely need a good test light, crimpers tape for repairing lighting systems. For the most part, standard tools should get you going/ you just need them bigger. However, you will still need your smaller tools like 1/4" drive sockets, standard/metric. nutdrivers work great for hose clamps. Snap ring pliers for slack adjuster and S-cam removal. A multimeter will be useful for ohming out different switches sensors etc. Air hammer and chisels are a must.sometimes you need long extensions for things. Line wrenches.. You'll be ok with what you have. you'll see what you use alot as you go along. decent flashlights/worklights
You will need a large oil/fuel filter strap wrench like this one
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1APIS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I got one from MAC 12 years ago and it finally gave out. I had to run to Napa to get one. The strap was not as thick but it should hold up for at least 8 years as a guess.
There are others but this is the one I like over the SO one like this design
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...oogleMKP&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1APIS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I got one from MAC 12 years ago and it finally gave out. I had to run to Napa to get one. The strap was not as thick but it should hold up for at least 8 years as a guess.
There are others but this is the one I like over the SO one like this design
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...oogleMKP&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA
Set of large cheap wrenches like the set a harbor freight that go up to at least 1 1/2". Some oil drain plugs are a tad on the large side but not very tight, just a quick hit with a hammer on the wrench will break them loose. Also a long funnel will come in handy. It seems no one ever needs an oil funnel until I do. Cheap latex gloves will make work sooo much cleaner when its time to grease the 60+ grease fittings under the truck. A long 5/16" and 7/16" wrench for adjusting breaks. And as mentioned, a bright flash light.
Kurn
Well-known member
Slack adjuster tool,like the NAPA SER4651 set. The offset ratcheting tool for the adjuster,and the tool to hold the lock button out."Borrow" a couple of brake caging bolts off of new piggybacks.And the SO brake spring prybar.
O_M_Jeep
Banned
I just started as a class 8 tech, (after 4 years hobbying and 23 years owning trucks) and the first things I bought were a 33mm 3/4 drive impact, and a 3/4" Drive Budd Wheel Impact Socket 1-1/2" X 13/16", a 1/2" ratchet at least 24" long, filter wrenches, yes, but most truck shops with a lube/service pit will have some, jacks / stands the shop will definatly have them, run away from a shop that doesnt. Be ready to do a lot of tires, a lot of greasy nasty lube/service work.
If you do wheel seals you might want a travel dial and magnet mount for it (if you dont have one, I use the same one I use on ring & pinions), also there are a lot of good tire tools that work better than a gold-bar or the standard spoons, check out Ken-tool.
Other than that the basics are good, just be ready to buy everything a little larger, wrenches up to 2", and good pry-bars. the wheel end sockets at 2 1/2" and up the shop should have as well as seal drivers/setters, they take up way too much space for a shop to expect each tech to have their own set.
Oh, and one edit here, if you dont have one already, a service cart is a must, you cant roll a huge box across the bays and running back and forth gets old very fast, a good cart (I use the 5 drawer HF cart) will save you a TON of time and trouble.
If you do wheel seals you might want a travel dial and magnet mount for it (if you dont have one, I use the same one I use on ring & pinions), also there are a lot of good tire tools that work better than a gold-bar or the standard spoons, check out Ken-tool.
Other than that the basics are good, just be ready to buy everything a little larger, wrenches up to 2", and good pry-bars. the wheel end sockets at 2 1/2" and up the shop should have as well as seal drivers/setters, they take up way too much space for a shop to expect each tech to have their own set.
Oh, and one edit here, if you dont have one already, a service cart is a must, you cant roll a huge box across the bays and running back and forth gets old very fast, a good cart (I use the 5 drawer HF cart) will save you a TON of time and trouble.
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plinker
Well-known member
I started at a Mack dealership about a month ago ( I had worked part time, mainly doing PM & other stuff, at logging outfit for five years before), Right now I'm getting trained for mainly loader & hydraulic work, but have done/can do truck work.
I dont know how much is supplied for you to use (speciality tool's) but sometimes you may be better off buying your own stuff, even if they do supply it. I just bought a set of combo wrenches to 1-3/8 to 2", plus some metrics, so I dont have to go hunt down tools that didnt get put back or are in use by someone.
Channellock 15" filter pliers
K-D filter strap wrench (I'll get the part # later)
3/4F to 1"M drive adapter is handy to have along with 1/2F to 3/4M
33mm socket ("pilot hub" wheel nuts)
If you do any amount of greasing, a Lincoln 1162 air grease gun is a must have, IMO.
A good selection of 1/2 drive tool's
Snap-on (actually Blue point) has a 30" die setter bar for cheap that works great for removing wheel seals.
I made a nice punch about 14-16" long out of a piece of Dodge 2500 tie rod and it's very handy for loader pin's and other large stuff.
Lisle has a disconnect tool set for the blasted "push connect" air line fittings, I have to get a set yet, but they do work well.
A 3/8 & 1/2 pipe plug socket and 8pt sockets are handy to have as well for checking differentials and transmission fluid levels.
Torque wrenches 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 drive (If funds permit on the 3/4 drive, should shop supplied though)
Angle wrenches.
All I can think of right now....
I dont know how much is supplied for you to use (speciality tool's) but sometimes you may be better off buying your own stuff, even if they do supply it. I just bought a set of combo wrenches to 1-3/8 to 2", plus some metrics, so I dont have to go hunt down tools that didnt get put back or are in use by someone.
Channellock 15" filter pliers
K-D filter strap wrench (I'll get the part # later)
3/4F to 1"M drive adapter is handy to have along with 1/2F to 3/4M
33mm socket ("pilot hub" wheel nuts)
If you do any amount of greasing, a Lincoln 1162 air grease gun is a must have, IMO.
A good selection of 1/2 drive tool's
Snap-on (actually Blue point) has a 30" die setter bar for cheap that works great for removing wheel seals.
I made a nice punch about 14-16" long out of a piece of Dodge 2500 tie rod and it's very handy for loader pin's and other large stuff.
Lisle has a disconnect tool set for the blasted "push connect" air line fittings, I have to get a set yet, but they do work well.
A 3/8 & 1/2 pipe plug socket and 8pt sockets are handy to have as well for checking differentials and transmission fluid levels.
Torque wrenches 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 drive (If funds permit on the 3/4 drive, should shop supplied though)
Angle wrenches.
All I can think of right now....
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18 and 24 in crescent wrenches, the largest set of pry bars you can find. Get a set of filter wrenches and a large pair of Channellock filter pliers as the sizes of various filters now run from car size on up on the newer engines, 3,6,9 pound hammers, both long and short handled, also get a microtorch if you don't already have one and a good set crimpers. every truck over about 3 years old will have plenty of electrical issues for you to play with. Get a set of craftsman wrenches , the largest ones they have. Don't know what your feelings are about Cman but 3/4 of all mechanics Ive seen in 25 years of this use them because they are cheaper to replace. a good set of pipe wrenches are a huge asset also.
battlegraduate09
Well-known member
honestly, this question depends on the shop. I am lucky at my shop, They supply the jacks, jack stands, large sockets, 3/4 drive impact wrench and 1" impact wrench as well as torque wrenches.
I do mostly engine and transmission work with an occasional PM job. And i use mostly metric stuff, 3/8s drive tools and pry bars. certainly a wide variety of pry bars and crescent wrenches and hammers. many many hammers.
I do mostly engine and transmission work with an occasional PM job. And i use mostly metric stuff, 3/8s drive tools and pry bars. certainly a wide variety of pry bars and crescent wrenches and hammers. many many hammers.
stephen4785
Well-known member
If you end up doing a lot of brake work this tool is awesome. It saved me hours and hours of work. When I was a flat rate mechanic I made a killing with it. I also rented it to the other techs so it mad me money when I wasnt needing it. A wheel seal remover is also handy but you can use a prybar as well.
http://www.uniquetruck.com/p-14540-striver-tool-s-cam-bushing-driver.aspx
If youre gonna do tires this tool makes it a lot easier but you can get away with using tire bars. I loved this tool but never bought one. I always talked the shop manager into buying one and they save a lot of time.
http://www.techtirerepairs.com/Catalog/itemdetail.aspx?itemnum=TNT-100-1&salessubgroup=OR090
http://www.uniquetruck.com/p-14540-striver-tool-s-cam-bushing-driver.aspx
If youre gonna do tires this tool makes it a lot easier but you can get away with using tire bars. I loved this tool but never bought one. I always talked the shop manager into buying one and they save a lot of time.
http://www.techtirerepairs.com/Catalog/itemdetail.aspx?itemnum=TNT-100-1&salessubgroup=OR090
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According to friend that is a big truck mechanic, a 1/4 drive 8 point socket, 5/16 size, is needed to adjust the brakes on a semi tractor, at least the rear brakes which have a square head bolt. Probably a 6 inch extension is needed.
KEH
KEH
I know this may sound preachy, but lots of my friends are rig techs, and the one thing that you gotta do is protect your back and knees. I know two guys in the biz, and 6 years in they have both had knee surgeries, back surgeries. My cousin made it 20 years, and he had to retire - he couldn't do the work anymore. It can be very hard on your body. Watch how you do things. Think about how you are lifting, bending. Wear good shoes. Good luck!
I use a long 3/8 ratchet and 7/16 socket for slack adjusters, an 18" heal bar works great for wheel seals, a set of snap on mini cutter/strippers PWC5A and a nice set of crimper are awesome for all the eletrical repairs. A good test light, 2 or 3 pound hammer. I use the larger snap on bushing driver set to do s cam bushings. A 2 liter pop bottle with the lid off a gear oil bottle filled with gear oil to fill up hubs. And a big selection of pry bars and pinches. also good drill bits.