Tool recommendations for a lube tech

[WolfDude]

Hey guys,

So I landed a nice job as a lube tech for Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram with that said, is there any special tools I need of my job. I've recently been working as I tire tech so I've your basic tools and a decent air impact. So any recommendations are appreciated.

"When righty tighty becomes righty losey your gonna have a bad day"

 

[nynexit]

Congratulations on the job ! [emoji482]

 

[Ralf11]

Congratulations - a selection of various types of filter wrenches, since not all types can get into the weird places the engineers stuff filters into

there's also a spring shaft magnetic oil drain bolt holder, but not really needed

big gloves

 

[ex-x-fire]

A good digital tire gauge. A good fun set that fits to the filler tight. I have the AST funnel set. There's 2 extra adapters not in the picture that I have, one is the small Chrysler and the other is for Subaru.
A mirror to peek at the brakes, you start seeing stuff and it sells, it helps your career.

 

[ThePostman]

A good long handle flex head ratchet, just buy a good one and have it forever. A decent bolt out set for rounded off drain plugs. Stubby long handled metric hex keys, particularly 8mm in your case for the gearboxes. The ratchet and bolt out socket, 13mm, you'll use on the engine with the plastic oil pan. A set of etorx for the inevitable replacement of the leaky oil filter assembly on the pentastar. 24mm socket for the filter.

 

[bentrods]

A set of metric Allen/hex head sockets. Especially 17mm if doing trans or diff service.

 

[ex-x-fire]

A good long 13mm 6 point wrench.

 

[richfinn]

A good head-lamp for hands free inspections!!!

Nitrile gloves (used oil is Nasty stuff)

Cordless screwdriver for undertrays/air filters etc

 

[Ralf11]

Ko-ken makes great ratchets and sockets - a lot cheaper than Snap-On

a set of their nut-grip sockets will hold onto the drain plug so you don't have to pick it off the screen later

Palmac carries them

My advice is to beware the Snap-On truck - the jewelry display inside and financing is designed to get their hooks into you. Quality and support is top-notch tho.

Keep an eye on the other more experienced guys, and if you're looking to move up in the industry you'll want to learn a lot about electricity and electronics...

Another career option is vintage cars with no computers in them. Not a lot of jobs there but high buck Euro cars will be around for a long long time.

 

[Wine-o1]

Congrats! I recommend the Lisle 63600 oil filter wrench. Makes quick work of the spin on filters. 63250 for the bigger filters.

 

[noid]

A good head-lamp for hands free inspections!!!

Nitrile gloves (used oil is Nasty stuff)

Cordless screwdriver for undertrays/air filters etc

This guy gets it!

Headlamps are the best; get one that uses a 18650 lithium battery so it lasts all day.

I would also recommend a quality torque wrench; something like a PRE-C2FR50F. This is for two reasons:

1. If the bolt strips while tightening to spec, its not on you considering the threads would have already been compromised. No one can claim you went big ape on a ratchet.

2. Some older aluminum pans are surprisingly soft, so margin for error is smaller.

If you want to be fancy, also get a paint pen set and mark the drain bolts when you tighten them back up, so no one can claim you forgot to tighten something.