Best Tool for German auto DIY

[stevenstevensteven]

I am a long time owner of various old Mercedes. I have alway gotten by with a small toolbox of some old (made in USA) Craftsmans tools. But, now I am looking to upgrade and really expand my tool collection. I have bougjt some Hazet, Wurth Chome Vadium and a few Snapon odd n ends. But I am by no means an aficionado on auto hand tools. I see some Carl Walter and Facom listed here, but I would really appeciate some input and insights on toll brands from the experts here. What brands do you think I should focus on as I expand my tool collection. I really want to develop a special collectuon that I can hand down to my young son. Thanks in advance.

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[four.cycle]

You're going to get a gazillion different answers here.

Generally speaking, what is considered "best" is (more often than not ) the brand that is currently owned and being used by the person claiming it is the "best". (see also "post purchase rationalization")

There are a lot of high-quality tool brands out there. Personally I prefer US made, but, as is the case with automobiles, the Germans make some damn good tools like Stahlwille and Elora and Wera - they are not cheap.

But then, the top-shelf US brands aren't inexpensive: Proto, S-K, Snap-on are all spendy - S-K probably being the least expensive of those three.

It's probably best to consider different brands for different tools. Not every manufacturer makes the "best" of everything - virtually all of them outsource a lot of their products from other manufacturers.

 

[Psychwarfare]

I've gotten by for several years now working with one of the 200+ piece (USA) CM mechanic kits my father got me one year for Christmas...simply rounding the collection out with needed sockets for axle work etc...and that served me well restoring W108/W114/R107/W124/E28/MK1 MGB and then working on regular daily drivers...the CM kit holds a special place in my heart because of who gave them to me...not because of what they are...

I'm eyeing a SK LP90 ratchet set...and maybe a few "nice" pieces...while rounding out my woodworking tools...in addition to the wrenches and whatnot that I've been procuring over the past couple of years.

Not an overly sentimental guy...but I think if you have reliable tools...your son will hopefully appreciate them because of you and the time spent working with you and said tools...and not because they're Snap-On etc...

If you think he might catch the vintage German car bug...I'd get some of the specialty tools for whatever era tickles your pickle...and keep rounding out my collection but not necessarily replace anything that's working well...

 

[pelletman]

The correct software for the brand, for Mercedes I like my Autoenginuity.

 

[Elvisidal]

Dowidat

 

[red61cj5]

Platinum card?

 

[BillK]

I don't see how you can beat Craftsman for a DIY. I even have a set of SAE and Metric Craftsman polished wrenches at my business. I use them every day and have never had to replace one of them. They are at least 20 years old.

 

[MBfreak]

Hi.
Have been working as an amateur on MB´s since the sixties. From 190 D up to 300 SEL 6,3. Sadly never on a 300SL Roadster or Coupe.
You do not need very many special tools. The valve mechanism is a bit peculiar on most petrol engines. A rocker pivots on a ball screw. To adjust the backlash on the valves ( typically 0,08 to 0,20 mm, different between models) a Hazet crowfoot is very handy, there are both 14 and 17mm.
Apart from that not much specials.
If the cars are equipped with the Bosch intake manifold mechanical injection system and you intend to work with it, you need some angle gauges to adjust the coordination between the pump intake shaft and the butterfly valve for air. Easy to make . PM me with an email and I will send you some pics and a compendium in Swedish I wrote, but lots of pics
Pre around 66, all M8 fasteners were 14 mm.After that 13 mm.
About the most demanding job is to replace a stuck windshield wiper mechanism. Virtually everything under the dash must be removed. I would rather replace the engine or rear axle.

The low pivot pendelum rear axle is a beast, but rarely breaks except on the 6,3 and 6,9 powered cars.
Not for the amateur to adjust, you need a bunch of special jigs.



Best regards

Ola

 

[firebirdparts]

Fixing cars is not about having a collection of tools. That's two different things. If you really fix cars, you will want to buy specialized tools and access-improving options as you need them. Manufacturer is not important unless you were a mechanic and wore the tools out.

The hard part about fixing cars is diagnosis.

 

[Tonyuk]

Are your looking for a recommendation on brands or specific tools?

German cars are pretty similar tool requirement wise, you'll need metric sockets, torx sockets, e-torx, hex and XZN sockets in a variety of different sizes.

I like Wera for 1/4 torx bits & screwdrivers, Facom for XZN and e-torx.

Basic sockets can be had from any reputable brand.

Spanners and ratchets i like Facom & Gearwrench, as well as toptul.

You'll need a decent OBD2 reader, Carista works well with the German brands for basic DIY stuff.

A decent torque wrench is essential (£40-50) You'll also need an angle gauge for TTY fasteners.

Magnetic trays, lubricants and consumables.

Stay away from extra long spanner sets, too long to use unless you have a lift.

A good long 1/4" ratchet, i like the gearwrench one, a flex head is essential. A good mid-length 3/8" ratchet with a flex head is also essential.

What jobs do you plan on doing and we can give better answers? I wouldn't bother with top of the line brands for the DIY. However i've been to the Mercedes and Porsche museums in Stuttgart and in both where you could look into the workbays for the exhibits there was tons of Stahlwille, tons of Heyco, wera, and Hazet. Less snap-on & mac.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't know about Mercedes, but the DIY web boards for BMWs often will have recommendations for specific tools (or modifications to tools) for working on specific parts. For instance, there's a thin bicycle spanner wrench that works well for removing the cooling fan from the front of the engine. Check around the Mercedes boards to see if there are recommendations for your model car.

 

[engineer2]

A lot depends on how deep you plan to get into things.
There are a few special tools for MB diesels if you get into that, like for the head bolts.
There is also a special tool kit for radio removal.
Check aout Assenmacher tools at https://www.toolsource.com/mercedes-benz-tools-c-1321_831_846/

 

[stevenstevensteven]

awesome input. keep it coming.

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[M6erfan]

Hazet!

 

[bwringer]

Yeah, I'm thinking it would be cool to build a collection of German tools for working on a German car. Put together a nice neat kit in a nice German case and there ya go.

Expensive? Sure. A little pointless? Absolutely - fasteners don't know where the tools were made.

But it would be neat. Get as close as you can to what German dealerships would be using.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

But it would be neat. Get as close as you can to what German dealerships would be using.

The Mercedes dealers near me use STAR diagnosis which is the Mercedes diagnostic software (DIS or Diagnosis Information Systems) and wall to wall black Snap-on toolboxes. I usually meet my Snap-on guy on fridays at the Mercedes dealer.

 

[BK13]

If I was starting over, and knowing what I know now, my basic tools would be Hazet, KoKen, Nepros, Wright, Proto, and Snap On.

 

[sweet victory]

I think a vehicle specific forum will truely be your best bet. I work on Porsches at home, so I'll chime in with my experiences.

No one brand makes the best of everything. That being said, when it comes to Torx Bit Sockets and Hex Bit Sockets, I favor Snap On. For Triple Squares, I've gotten by with VIM. The only place I've run into triple squares are door hinges/latches and I think axles. From what I hear, it's becoming more common on late model cars, so it may be worth upgrading at some point.


Assenmacher is a good bet for adapters. (Coolant tank adapter for vacuum filler type of stuff)


Most German shops will have the SIR B90 Wheel bearing kit. That being said, I'm going to go with the OTC Hub Grappler. For my 911, the SIR kit requires I remove the rear parking brake; the OTC doesn't have those draw backs.


Like others have said, but what works. If you live in CA, I'm not sure if buying very niche tools works in your favor if you have to try and warranty them. A Snap On dealer stops by my office every week, so that's what a lot of my home box will have.