what's missing from my car repair tool set?

[homec]

I made determination to do all my own car repair work from now on. I've been building my toolset. I want to have everything on hand (as much as possible) when I need it and not have to order more stuff. I think I have my bases pretty well covered for 2010+ American cars.

-400piece set that includes, standard chrome sockets in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, hex and torx in SAE and metric, also includes splines
-full set of screwdrivers
-ratchets is 1/4, 3/8, 1/2
-24" 1/2 drive breaker bar
-1/2 click torque wrench (50-250 ft-lbs)
-3/8 click torque wrench (50-250 in-lbs)
-set of wobble/normal extensions for each drive
-metric 7-21mm combination wrenches, no gaps
-needle nose and linesman pliers, channelocks, side cutters, wire strippers
-grease gun & no2 grease
-PSE
-BlueDriver OBD2 scanner/app
-brake pad tool
-floor jack and jack stands
-magnetic tray
-fluke multimeter
-Haynes manual

Am I missing anything major? Any big gaps that would prevent me getting things done? Also feel free to include small things like lubes or grease or things I may not have thought of because I'm a newb but very useful to have on hand after I've begun taking parts off vehicle to avoid going to autoparts or tool store..

thanks!

 

[6 & 7/8]

A roll of duct tape.

 

[jrsulo]

Bfh !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Adam.C]

What bit sockets do you have? You need torx, and Allen bit sockets. Dodge Durango has 11 and 7mm Allen cap head brake bolts.
Inverse torx sockets.
1/2" 12pt chrome sockets come in handy.
You need trim tools, plastic ones are fine and inexpensive.
Battery Impact gun and a few impact sockets would make your life a lot easier.
Soldering iron. I have a butane powered one that does come in handy. But I use my cheap electric Weller whenever I can.
Battery stud and terminal cleaner brush is pretty helpful for modern cars.
Prybars, dead blow hammers, brass drifts

Not a necessity, but super nice to have...I have this thing called a thread detective. It's a cable with a bunch of steel studs wired to it that have male threads on one side, female on the other for each std thread size. American cars are mostly metric, but SAE stuff shows up occasionally.
Digital caliper, cheap one
Magnetic pick up tool
Hose Pick set
Battery powered work lights
Headlamp
Creeper

 

[wolf_from_wv]

long 1/2" ratchet
sometimes the 3/4" ratchet with 1/2" adapter is nice
angle grinder
dremel and cutoff wheels
large hammer
large channel lock pliers
large hammer
punches
chisels
nut splitter tool
file(s)
hacksaw
reciprocating saw
propane torch
ibuprofen
tetanus shot

ball joint tool

 

[Pho20]

Swivel sockets and flex head ratcheting wrenches

 

[mcmtech]

Flex head ratchets, quick connector release tools, snap ring pliers

 

[928'er]

Line wrenches
Ratcheting combo wrenches
Oil filter wrench
Ball joint separator
Set of picks
Scribe
Long reach needle nose and ring nose hose pliers
Drain pans
Cordless impact wrenches (I have 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", and use them all)
Cordless inflator if no compressor
Cordless drill & bits
Circlip pliers
Set of pry bars
Soft faced dead blow hammer(s) and ball pein hammer (no claw hammers!)
Plastic trim tools
Assorted files
Scissors and knife
Heat gun (HF one works well)
Assorted flashlights and other sources of illumination
Putty knife & gasket scrapers
Cold chisel & set of drifts and punches of various sizes
HF digital calipers come in handy once in a while
+ lots more I can't think of at the moment

 

[M-EGT]

Extensions!! Must have for a socket wrench set. If you don't have the correct length you can always stack them.
But from when I've done my own work they are crucial. I even have a small set in my junkyard bag.

 

[fos373]

AAA membership card?

 

[niferous]

A shop or ball peen hammer. I also always keep some zip ties in my vehicles.

 

[Roobaix]

When you say standard chrome sockets are they shallow and deep?

How about an impact wrench and some 1/2" impact sockets?

Creeper?
Oil pan?
Funnels?
Spark plug sockets?
Vacuum/pressure tester?
Multimeter?
Drop light?
Dead blow hammer?
Files?

 

[Brownsfan]

I saw wire stripper but no crimper or soldering iron. A good crimper with heat shrink terminals or solder and heat shrink are a must for electrical repairs. Also a good set of hooks and pics. Mini and regular size. Panel removal tools plastic and regular. Make sure hour meter has a good set of leads. As well as some terminal back probes.

 

[Handyfarmer]

and after you get the shop and two full cabinets of tools there will always be that one tool you will still need to do the repair, I do not know what it will be but there will be one you will need, some odd wrench or gauge to set some thing or what ever, but you will need it, (there is no such thing as a complete tool set,)

 

[Corndoggeh]

I big f*cking hammer is always a key item for any auto repair. Thumbwheel ratchets are always nice to have, very convenient. I personally keep small jumper wires to test electrical parts. Everything else people have said above is spot on for what you need. Also, a cheap set of taps and dies ($15 at HF for SAE or metric) are good for chasing threads for that inevitable "Oh sh*t" moment.

-Panel clip pliers
-Non-marring pry bars
-Extra nuts and bolts
-Set of orings, HF works, never had one leak on me since I started putting them on my truck 4 years ago

Lighting is always key. I've gotten rid of my drop light in favor of those magnetic swivel lights you can get now at HF and they make working on a vehicle at night much less painful.

Best thing to remember, 10% of the tools you have get used all the time, but the rest is for that one instance where you just need one of those 90% ones.

 

[L.Cheapo]

You have a gap between your torque wrenches from about 20ftlbs to about 90ftlbs (20-100% standard scale accuracy). The majority of automotive fastener torque specs fall within that range.

 

[drewvdw]

You could have every tool made in the world and still find something you wish you had...at your point, I think you've got a good start. Be careful around here, you'll find yourself buying tools you have yet to find a use for because you need them.

 

[Alchymist]

Air compressor, impact wrench, (& sockets), air chisel, cutoff tool, easy outs.

 

[Pho20]

Also jar of antiseize, white lithium grease, blue and red threadlocker, brake clean (non chlorinated), kroil or pb blaster

 

[MikeF2316]

One thing I didn't see mentioned was wire. Both steel mechanic's wire and automotive electrical wire.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Vice grips for sure!

 

[joel63]

and after you get the shop and two full cabinets of tools there will always be that one tool you will still need to do the repair, I do not know what it will be but there will be one you will need, some odd wrench or gauge to set some thing or what ever, but you will need it, (there is no such thing as a complete tool set,)

You could have every tool made in the world and still find something you wish you had...at your point, I think you've got a good start. Be careful around here, you'll find yourself buying tools you have yet to find a use for because you need them.

A decent scan tool.

Aren't You glad you asked?
Don't worry, if you really want to repair and maintain your vehicles you will find it very satisfying.

Best of luck to you.

 

[PelicanPines]

Some parts, belts, bulbs, bolts, liquids, filters.

Several types of knives and scissors.

 

[R_einan]

Brake tools; like a set of brake pliers, the screwdriver handles spring removal tools make drum brakes much easier.

 

[duwem]

Chisels, punches, drifts for getting stuff undone, out and lined up again.

 

[Roberts210]

A length of rope and a gag to quiet the mother in law in the back seat.

 

[egnorant]

I is really hard to say "This is the setup you need". Sometimes you hit a spot that you realize needs a specific tool just to complete the job. Torx bits or another wobble extension to reach that bolt (Fox Mustang starter comes to mind!).

Sometimes a job seems difficult and you realize a slightly different tool will do it better!
A good set of ratcheting wrenches made a lot of stuff easier! I would always write the better tool on my white board and would pick one up as time allowed (or someone noticed it around Christmas). An extra long shank phillips screwdriver appeared in my stocking one year.

You may also spot a tool that you know will allow you to expand what you do or make life easier...even if it is just a magnet on a stick!

Are there tools needed specific to your vehicle? Scan tool might say bad MAF but it is held on with tamperproof t-10 torx! Special tool for fuel lines? How about those 5.5mm bolts holding the cam sensor? Might keep an eye out for those.

Bruce

 

[Garage&Beer]

Tubing cutter

 

[no704]

Can't say how many times a spare coil saved me, in my VW van.

 

[M6erfan]

Looks like you have the bases pretty well covered.

Other tools that I recomend are; Hand Impact Driver, thread resto set, scan tool, multimeter

 

[Derek420]

Get a ball joint press for sure, also get gear puller set and dead blow hammers you might need the adjustable wrench despite what people say about them but you need one at times it was on my main to get list.. Also a break bleeder tool that let's you do it yourself.. And a creeper... There also might be specialty tool or more for your vehicles.. You will never seem to have all you need once the addiction starts lol. Don't forget power tools like impact and grinder.. The list goes on..

 

[Derek420]

**** forgot to say a security bit set you will need one for sure.

 

[Superbec]

you can have all the tools in the world .. if you don't know how to use them properly it's just a waste .

what you have in mind it's a bit enthusiastic ....sometimes is cheaper faster and a lot safer to take the car to a shop , what nobody told you is they destroyed more stuff than they fixed in the first years of wrenching, (at least the ones that now what they're doing now)

You have the Haynes manual , read it (skip the engine and trans rebuild part for now) it will tell you exactly what special tools you need and greases and stuff and also teach about how things should be done.

So read , diagnose , plan and procure the tool you need for the one job at hand, you already have enough tools to mess around.

Some vehicle specific tools are just for making the job easier , most of them in fact .

By the time you think you have enough tools or let's say the need for that one tool you don't have never comes up ... you'll have more money in tools than in cars.

Buy a part washer , first year of tooling should be spent washing parts not rounding bolts...

 

[HCNDM]

you can have all the tools in the world .. if you don't know how to use them properly it's just a waste .

what you have in mind it's a bit enthusiastic ....sometimes is cheaper faster and a lot safer to take the car to a shop , what nobody told you is they destroyed more stuff than they fixed in the first years of wrenching, (at least the ones that now what they're doing now)

You have the Haynes manual , read it (skip the engine and trans rebuild part for now) it will tell you exactly what special tools you need and greases and stuff and also teach about how things should be done.

So read , diagnose , plan and procure the tool you need for the one job at hand, you already have enough tools to mess around.

Some vehicle specific tools are just for making the job easier , most of them in fact .

By the time you think you have enough tools or let's say the need for that one tool you don't have never comes up ... you'll have more money in tools than in cars.

Buy a part washer , first year of tooling should be spent washing parts not rounding bolts...

Solid advice. Especially on the parts washer.

Also start on a car you can afford not to have to drive for a while. Nothing worse than having to foot a shop bill to get a daily driver on the road because you broke what you were trying to fix.


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[Adam.C]

what you have in mind it's a bit enthusiastic ....sometimes is cheaper faster and a lot safer to take the car to a shop , what nobody told you is they destroyed more stuff than they fixed in the first years of wrenching, (at least the ones that now what they're doing now)

You have the Haynes manual , read it (skip the engine and trans rebuild part for now) it will tell you exactly what special tools you need and greases and stuff and also teach about how things should be done.

So read , diagnose , plan and procure the tool you need for the one job at hand, you already have enough tools to mess around.

.

Nope. Disagree. Maybe some of the guys from other countries just don't undestand our economy. Maybe it's our employer paid healthcare or insurance. Just speaking for myself; I hold 2 engineering degrees, I'm at the top of my field, work for a great company, make a very respectable wage, but the labor rate at the corner garage is still way more than I earn and at least double what I take home.

A single brake job is cheaper for me to do even if I stay home with no pay (which I almost never do). The wheel bearing job I did 2 weeks ago used a ton of special tools. Dealer wanted $250/bearing and 1.5 hours per side at a rate of like $100/hr. For both sides he wanted $870 total. I found OEM bearings for $115 shipped. That single job saved me over $600. I did one side with my kids on Sunday afternoon. Did the other side in 90 minutes after work the following day.

If you can work on your own cars in the US, you can save enough money to afford all the tools you want, even Snap On. Depending on what you drive, you can probably pay off whatever you have invested in tools quickly.

I recently bought 3 used cars. 2 of the 3 had over 100,000miles. I wouldn't, couldn't have done that if I couldn't do at least some repairs myself. Because my fellow Americans won't can't do what I do, I got those vehicles cheap. That's another way I save doing my own repairs (look at me explaining how I save money to a Dutchman!

 

[HCNDM]

Nope. Disagree. Maybe some of the guys from other countries just don't undestand our economy. Maybe it's our employer paid healthcare or insurance. Just speaking for myself; I hold 2 engineering degrees, I'm at the top of my field, work for a great company, make a very respectable wage, but the labor rate at the corner garage is still way more than I earn and at least double what I take home.

A single brake job is cheaper for me to do even if I stay home with no pay (which I almost never do). The wheel bearing job I did 2 weeks ago used a ton of special tools. Dealer wanted $250/bearing and 1.5 hours per side at a rate of like $100/hr. For both sides he wanted $870 total. I found OEM bearings for $115 shipped. That single job saved me over $600. I did one side with my kids on Sunday afternoon. Did the other side in 90 minutes after work the following day.

If you can work on your own cars in the US, you can save enough money to afford all the tools you want, even Snap On. Depending on what you drive, you can probably pay off whatever you have invested in tools quickly.

I recently bought 3 used cars. 2 of the 3 had over 100,000miles. I wouldn't, couldn't have done that if I couldn't do at least some repairs myself. Because my fellow Americans won't can't do what I do, I got those vehicles cheap. That's another way I save doing my own repairs (look at me explaining how I save money to a Dutchman!

With regards to cost you have a valid point. Not very different in that regard here in Holland. Change the dollar sign to euros it matches my garage.

What is different is the number of cars we own. Most families own one to two. Three is a rarity. Possibly because we get bent over by the govt. with road tax, fuel is three times as expensive, and insurance is mandatory.

Add to that that every car over three years old needs a yearly inspection. As cars go towards the 200k mile marker they are often written off simply because it becomes cheaper to replace the vehicle than to keep throwing parts or labor at it to make it pass.

Then there's the lack of space. Most houses do not have there own parking which means working on the street side (frowned upon) or renting space.

I read my countrymans post as follows;

OP has most of the basic tools. Get specialty as required. Know the limitations of what you can do... My two cents to not to wreck your daily driver comes from personal experience [emoji6]

I do a lot of my own maintenance too. Brakes and bearings included. I have also never failed the roadworthiness test as a result. I have had a steep learning curve in the process... and some jobs were more of a hassle than they were worth.




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[softailgarage]

A lift......and a BIG garage to put it in, in fact, while your at it get the BIGGEST garage you can find and since your doing that, may as well get a 4 post. But then you'll need an even BIGGER garage Better check the Industrial parks for a warehouse.

See how this little tool habit works...

 

[mattygee]

Tap and die set, a set of thread files, 'grabber' socket set for removing rounded off bolts. air hammer with assortment of air chisels/punches, large(like 24X36) drain pan, bench grinder, long pry bar assortment, some sort of battery charger. A shop press of at least 20 tons if it hasn't already been mentioned.

 

[jdlong]

The basics and beyond have been well covered here. There is no end to it really. It's probably best to start with the basics and add to your collection on an as needed basis. Easier on the wallet that way and if you were to arm yourself for anything that could possibly go wrong, you'll likely end up with tools you'll never use.

The Haynes manual is a good start as far as manuals go. They are a condensed Readers Digest version of factory service manuals however and leave out a lot of pertinent information. Depending on the age, make and model, you can often find used factory service manual(s) for your specific vehicle(s) on ebay for a fraction of what they cost new. The only catch is you'll miss addendums that may have came out.

 

[maxpower_hd]

A set of torches, a welder and some band aids. I didn't notice them but maybe I missed them.

You will need a LOT of tools if you are going to do most things yourself. The smartest thing to do IMO is start with the basics like you are doing and then buy what you need for specific jobs as you go along. If you stick with one brand of vehicle it might be a little easier but not much.

When you do buy specific tools base your decision on how often you might have to do that type of repair. For example, a BFH might be needed for many jobs where a left handed wheelie gig remover might only be a one time use. Then buy the best tool you can afford if it is going to get used often. You can probably get away with a cheapo depot tool for a one time use.