Beginner home mechanic questions

[leveezengxi]

I would suggest you get only the specific tools you need for now and save your money for better tools later.

 

[Givl Reggin]

there's no difference between MAX AC and AC

Take a look at the blend door.

The difference between MAX and Normal AC is that normal pulls outside air across the coil, and MAX recirculates 100% cabin air.

You won't notice a difference in MAX until the cabin is substantially cooled off first. If the vehicle has been sitting in the sun for any length of time you're better off with normal in most situations because MAX raises the moisture content of the air (humidity).

 

[nicksnothereman]

I need to do some car repairs, but i don't have any tools..i have some screwdriver and hammer from walmart though

something i need to do next week is changing pulley, maybe some AC work, possibly engine mount and driveshaft slip joint....something i need to do later is brake work and oil change.

it's a 99 ford explorer

here are the questions:

1.i'm on budget(thats why i decide to repair my truck on my own), should i only buy tools for what i need right now, or should i buy those tool set? I did some research, probably will go with kobalt's ratchet, sockets and husky torque wrench..

2.do i need a torque wrench for these repairs?(the ones i need to do next week)

3.If i'm going to buy a 3/8 torque wrench, do i still need to buy a 3/8 ratchet?why?

thanks..

Off the cuff? I don't think you should attempt to do anything listed by you.

But to answer your question.
1)Kobalt hand tools are fine for most people (I don't buy the chinese tools though). Husky torque wrench is supposed to be good.

2)For the motor mount you do.

3)You don't use a torque wrench to remove fasteners only tighten fasteners so yeah you'd need a ratchet.

As I said first: jumping into what you're planning to do with a haynes and simple hand tools is a bad idea. You're working backwards. Oil change is the basic start when attempting to do mechanical work on a car.

Though, a/c recharge you can probably do without an issue if that's what you mean. If you mean replace the compressor...you're going to have some issues.

I'm not trying to knock you I'm just stating you should wade in the baby pool and learn how to swim before you jump into the deep end.

 

[Bigplum]

This is so going to end up on one of those ' emergency 911' programmes.

If the o/p is genuine ( which I doubt , surely this is a joke post?) maybe you should get on a basic car maintenance class at your local college , working on brakes , driveline and engine mounts is all tricky and dangerous if you have limited skills

 

[Notorious BRT]

I'm new here, so I'm not trying to be a jerk, but there seems to be some hostility toward the OP that doesn't seem to be warranted. Taking him at face value, which is the only way I know how to take someone on an internet forum whom I don't have any previous interaction with, he/she seems to be someone who needs some assistance and advice in acquiring some tools for and performing vehicle maintenance, so that's what I intend to provide...

I have no personal experience with the aforementioned Harbor Freight 309 piece set, I have read enough reviews to say that it probably will be more than adequate quality for your needs. If you can't afford that, then buy the biggest one you can afford. I do suggest a torque wrench of some sort as well. There are plenty of coupons for HF on the web, by the way. My second suggestion is to do extensive research on the jobs you intend to do. Forums, enthusiast sites, and YouTube as well. I can't tell you how much I've learned from YouTube. I'm confident that some has a video on how to build a Saturn V moon rocket on there. My biggest piece of advice is to just do it, once you have performed some adequate research. Things are rarely as difficult as they are perceived to be. Best of luck!

 

[xz96]

This is so going to end up on one of those ' emergency 911' programmes.

If the o/p is genuine ( which I doubt , surely this is a joke post?) maybe you should get on a basic car maintenance class at your local college , working on brakes , driveline and engine mounts is all tricky and dangerous if you have limited skills

i have a friend who's a mechanic so if anything bad happen i could 911 him...brakes and engine mount doesn't look difficult on youtube tutorial and service manual..

 

[xz96]

Take a look at the blend door.

The difference between MAX and Normal AC is that normal pulls outside air across the coil, and MAX recirculates 100% cabin air.

You won't notice a difference in MAX until the cabin is substantially cooled off first. If the vehicle has been sitting in the sun for any length of time you're better off with normal in most situations because MAX raises the moisture content of the air (humidity).

thanks i ll check that

 

[Adam.C]

Ya gotta start somewhere. We all did. If you ask me, I would say buy used snap on. But I didn't start that way. I started with craftsman, which despite being made with pride in the USA, really weren't that nice. And I was fixing German cars almost exclusively, including some fairly complicated jobs.

BUT I was in the Mercedes Benz museum last tuesday looking at a new engine. There was a ton of specialty fasteners in difficult to reach spots. I don't think MB is unique. With this in mind, maybe the tools I started with, the tools recommended above, may not be good enough for modern cars.

The HF stuff might get you thru your 99, but probably isn't a good investment.

 

[Mk3Mike]

thanks i ll check that

Just a heads up...sometimes checking the blend door means removing the ENTIRE DASHBOARD (depending on your vehicle). It's not always a job for the faint at heart. I think my heater core/blend door job in my VW took around 14hrs from start to finish and I know that car very well too.

 

[mikefromme]

Your AC work will be a pain. You need a Manifold Gauge. Possibly a Vaccuum pump and injecter and dye. Then one of those lights and glasses just in case you have a leak.

I've fixed more than one ford's non working air conditioner in about 5 minutes with a 8mm ratchet


Hint: check the air gap on the ac compressor clutch.

 

[HairMetal]

Dude, you're going to need some education first. Chill for a month or two and research all you have to do and need first. Watch a ton of youtube videos and read some online forums for Ford Explorers. If you can get a knowledgeable friend to help you out.

This.

 

[Hemlock]

Given your question and general knowledge, I think Hiball was on the right track. Do you have a friend who works on cars? Help him do some stuff and learn. Until you know what a cross threaded bolt feels like, you can do a lot of damage. This is not intended as an insult, we all mess stuff up at first, and it would be miserable if you strip the drain bolt learning how to change your oil. After a few simple things done with supervision, you'll be more confident and have an idea what tools you need as well.

 

[Bigplum]

i have a friend who's a mechanic so if anything bad happen i could 911 him...brakes and engine mount doesn't look difficult on youtube tutorial and service manual..

Thing is brakes are quite important and easy to mess up,
engine mount replacement accidents could lead to squashed fingers or worse ,

I'm really not being hostile and everyone needs to start somewhere , but don't do things on your own , try and work alongside knowledgable friend ,
Your life and your fellow road users depend on it .

 

[cheechi]

I was in the Mercedes Benz museum last tuesday looking at a new engine.

HA thanks for the chuckle. This is what we call one of the junk yards around here.

 

[ecotec]

Given your question and general knowledge, I think Hiball was on the right track. Do you have a friend who works on cars? Help him do some stuff and learn. Until you know what a cross threaded bolt feels like, you can do a lot of damage. This is not intended as an insult, we all mess stuff up at first, and it would be miserable if you strip the drain bolt learning how to change your oil. After a few simple things done with supervision, you'll be more confident and have an idea what tools you need as well.

Really… Strip a drain bolt? Yeah… He needs serious supervision to change his oil.

The OP mentioned some pretty technical jobs, but changing oil and doing brakes is something anyone can do themselves. Those are the perfect first two jobs for someone to buy their first tools for, too.

There is nothing to it, but to do it.

 

[espyking83]

Dont buy that junk at Lowes, it's overpriced as hell. Buy used tools from here or Ebay. Craigslist and Pawn Shops are good too. Harbor Freight would be good in your situation too, just where you need this for a particular job.

 

[jchetty]

Really… Strip a drain bolt? Yeah… He needs serious supervision to change his oil.

The OP mentioned some pretty technical jobs, but changing oil and doing brakes is something anyone can do themselves. Those are the perfect first two jobs for someone to buy their first tools for, too.

There is nothing to it, but to do it.

This is not true. Brakes and oil changes are not something 'anyone' can do.

If it were a new car, then yeah maybe. But a big skill needed while working on older cars is the ability to improvise. What happens if the bolt doesn't come off? Has he ever heard of PB blaster.

Can he diagnose a future problem? What if when he does brakes, one side is warn down much further than the other or what if the caliper won't go back in?

I agree that you should hang around with a knowledgable person and do small things like oil and brakes first. But under supervision or while you watch.

The most important thing is to be safe. Please wear eye protection and use proper lifting techniques to secure the car in the air. Understand that working on certain car systems can affect your life. So pay special attention to brake systems, wheels, and so forth.

Also, please be neat and clean. Try not to make messes- whether on the floor or in the vehicle. If you do, clean it up well. Part of this means wearing gloves.

Understand that YouTube is an aide but not a surrogate for mechanical prowess. In time, you will gain a whole new level of respect and appreciation for mechanics. Please don't give up when the going gets rough. What you learn today will impact your future. You will forever gain an ability that can be universally applied to multiple facets of your life.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Check Amazon for some books on hand tools and their proper use.
Get a Chilton-Hayes comic book for your vehicle. (done, good)
Read and study,,, Study and read. (Glad to see your doing this)
Get ahold of your mechanic buddy. That is; if he knows what he is doing.
The more you learn, the more you will learn there is to learn.
That vehicle is not a jigsaw puzzle that you just take apart and put back together.. It is a machine that is best repaired correctly the first time.. (bet you have already concluded this)
Take your time. Use the experience as a learning experience with rewards rather than regrets..

 

[1cargarage]

My .02:

• If you are buying tools with the exclusive intent to simply complete your current job, then I suppose HF or Kobalt tools will suffice. If you are buying tools with the intent of completing future jobs, i.e. you are starting your tool collection and making the decision to become more mechanically proficient, then I would advise investing in some higher quality tools. A high-quality 3/8" ratchet and socket set is indispensable in any tool collection, as these items are used on virtually every job.

• Considering the cost of tools and doing-it-yourself vs. taking your vehicle to a mechanic, the former will likely be more expensive the first time. As your tool collection and mechanical acumen expand, performing services on your vehicle becomes much less costly in terms of both time and money.

• You don't seem intimidated about working on your vehicle, and this is a good thing. Working on your own vehicle can be very educational, fun, and rewarding. Having said that, do heed the warnings of members' previous posts. A LOT can go wrong, and it can happen very quickly. Many members on Garage Journal have thousands of hours of experience wrenching. It doesn't take thousands of hours to witness and be a part of accidents though. In my limited time wrenching, I have seen jacks fail, causing the vehicle to fall abruptly, and several other scary scenarios. SAFETY FIRST is not just a cliche mantra- it means exactly that. Here is a shade tree safety tip:

Use jack stands. Getting under a vehicle supported by nothing more than a jack is a terrible idea. Jacks are not perfect. They can fail just like any other tool. If you are working on your brakes and do not need to get under the vehicle, but do need to lift the front and/or rear end up, lay the wheels and tires that you take off on the ground under the frame of the vehicle closest to the end of the vehicle that is being supported by the jack. DON'T let the jack down so that the vehicle is supported by them though. Leave them there as a precautionary measure in case the jack fails. The damage caused by the frame of your vehicle landing on your tires will be much less than the damage of your vehicle sans wheels and tires landing on pavement.

• The internet is your friend. You're doing the right thing by consulting forums and youtube for guidance. Understand though that most of the content you encounter online has been posted by just another average Joe (for what that's worth). A Chilton's Service Manual is a great resource to have. Chilton's manuals, or any comparable manual, is a third party service manual specific to vehicle makes and models. They are usually very comprehensive and walk the reader through most services that can be performed by the DIYer with unabridged narration, pictures, and torque specs.

Here is the one (I think) specific to your vehicle:http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801991315/?tag=atomicindus08-20

• Take your time. As with anything, your first time performing a service on your vehicle should take you a while. You're not a professional technician, and neither are thousands of DIYers including myself. The worst thing you can do is rush through a job that you don't fully understand. In most cases, that will lead you to do more harm than good. As stated by a previous post, please understand that working on your vehicle affects your life and the lives of those around you. You will be riding in the vehicle that you work on, and other people will be sharing the road with you. Please do all you can to make sure she's roadworthy when you call the job done.

Apart from that, have fun. Working on your own vehicle is supposed to be fun and rewarding.

 

[Bigplum]

Really… Strip a drain bolt? Yeah… He needs serious supervision to change his oil.

The OP mentioned some pretty technical jobs, but changing oil and doing brakes is something anyone can do themselves. Those are the perfect first two jobs for someone to buy their first tools for, too.

There is nothing to it, but to do it.

Brakes can be simple , so can abdominal surgery .. If you know what your doing

We had a car come in the garage , something's not right with the brakes said the owner , on inspection the brand new pads were in back to front , the owner denied doing anything , nope haven't touched a thing he said .....

When just about everyone in the shop who looked at the brakes and wondered how the pads had mysteriously changed themselves ,
he finally admitted to " having a go at doing his brakes"

And I've seen many a butchered drain plug , found stripped threads in alloy sumps , even found evidence of tin snips used to change a bulb on a golf instead of removing the light cluster, People do strange things when let loose on cars

 

[theoldwizard1]

i have a friend who's a mechanic so if anything bad happen i could 911 him...brakes and engine mount doesn't look difficult on youtube tutorial and service manual.

Then you need to become better friends ! Offer him a 6 pack to come over with his tools and show you the right way the change your oil. Work your way up from there.

With all the videos on YouTube, service manuals are less usefully except for complex thing.

 

[xz96]

My .02:

• If you are buying tools with the exclusive intent to simply complete your current job, then I suppose HF or Kobalt tools will suffice. If you are buying tools with the intent of completing future jobs, i.e. you are starting your tool collection and making the decision to become more mechanically proficient, then I would advise investing in some higher quality tools. A high-quality 3/8" ratchet and socket set is indispensable in any tool collection, as these items are used on virtually every job.

• Considering the cost of tools and doing-it-yourself vs. taking your vehicle to a mechanic, the former will likely be more expensive the first time. As your tool collection and mechanical acumen expand, performing services on your vehicle becomes much less costly in terms of both time and money.

• You don't seem intimidated about working on your vehicle, and this is a good thing. Working on your own vehicle can be very educational, fun, and rewarding. Having said that, do heed the warnings of members' previous posts. A LOT can go wrong, and it can happen very quickly. Many members on Garage Journal have thousands of hours of experience wrenching. It doesn't take thousands of hours to witness and be a part of accidents though. In my limited time wrenching, I have seen jacks fail, causing the vehicle to fall abruptly, and several other scary scenarios. SAFETY FIRST is not just a cliche mantra- it means exactly that. Here is a shade tree safety tip:

Use jack stands. Getting under a vehicle supported by nothing more than a jack is a terrible idea. Jacks are not perfect. They can fail just like any other tool. If you are working on your brakes and do not need to get under the vehicle, but do need to lift the front and/or rear end up, lay the wheels and tires that you take off on the ground under the frame of the vehicle closest to the end of the vehicle that is being supported by the jack. DON'T let the jack down so that the vehicle is supported by them though. Leave them there as a precautionary measure in case the jack fails. The damage caused by the frame of your vehicle landing on your tires will be much less than the damage of your vehicle sans wheels and tires landing on pavement.

• The internet is your friend. You're doing the right thing by consulting forums and youtube for guidance. Understand though that most of the content you encounter online has been posted by just another average Joe (for what that's worth). A Chilton's Service Manual is a great resource to have. Chilton's manuals, or any comparable manual, is a third party service manual specific to vehicle makes and models. They are usually very comprehensive and walk the reader through most services that can be performed by the DIYer with unabridged narration, pictures, and torque specs.

Here is the one (I think) specific to your vehicle:http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801991315/?tag=atomicindus08-20

• Take your time. As with anything, your first time performing a service on your vehicle should take you a while. You're not a professional technician, and neither are thousands of DIYers including myself. The worst thing you can do is rush through a job that you don't fully understand. In most cases, that will lead you to do more harm than good. As stated by a previous post, please understand that working on your vehicle affects your life and the lives of those around you. You will be riding in the vehicle that you work on, and other people will be sharing the road with you. Please do all you can to make sure she's roadworthy when you call the job done.

Apart from that, have fun. Working on your own vehicle is supposed to be fun and rewarding.

thank you for such a nice write up, every noobie like me should've read this