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DIY Tools
Systems:
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Tools
for the DIYer
If you are a car owner who occasionally works on his or her own car, please
don't go out and spend thousands of dollars on high priced tools.
Professional mechanics make a living with their tools and need the best.
If you are doing minor repairs on your own vehicles a lower cost tool
set will do just fine. We have teamed up with AutoBarn.com
to bring you the best price on tools for the DIYer. Keep in mind
you can find most of these tools at your local parts store, but probably
not at these prices. Let's look at the basics you will need for
most common jobs.
The oil change:
- Lifting tools: To
gain access to the oil pan you need to get the front wheels off of the
ground safely. Never leave the car supported only by a jack.
A good set of jack stands or ramps are the safest way to go. Also
don't forget to chock up the rear wheels to keep the car from sliding
back. Even though you may have the emergency brake set, they can
fail.
- Oil filter wrench:
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get an oil filter off without
the right wrench. I have gone to the extent of poking a screwdriver
through the filter to spin it off..... this is not the cleanest way
to change an oil filter.
- Funnel: You have to
get the new oil into the engine, and the less you spill, the less will
burn off later while driving. Any funnel will do, but look for
one with a long flexible neck which will help getting into those tight
places.
The brake job:
- Disc brakes: You will
need some special hex or torx sockets to get the caliper loose.
Do not try using the wrong tool like a vise-grips or filed down bit....
you will damage the bolts. You will also need to retract the brake
pistons once you have the old pads out. Using a C-clamp does work,
but you have to be careful not to damage the pistons.
- Drum brakes: There
are special tools which allow you to remove the clips which hold the
shoes to the backing plate. Also you will need an adjuster to
adjust the shoes once you have everything back together.
- Bleeding the brakes:
Get a good kit which includes a sealed container to collect the expelled
brake fluid.
- All of the above mentioned
tools can be found at Auto Barn.
General tools:
- A
quality tool set
Make sure you have metric wrenches as all import cars have metric
fasteners and most if not all new domestic cars do also. If you
plan on doing advanced work, or plan on eventually working as a professional
mechanic consider buying a set of Craftsman™ tools. I have found
them to be the best value and you can not beat the lifetime guarantee.
Plus wherever you are, there is a Sears store to take your broken tools
in for replacement.
- Online
Auto Repair Manual: You wouldn't bake a cake without a recipe....
would you?? Make sure you have a manual by your side before you
start working on your car. I can only give you general guidelines
on this site, but the manual will give you all of the specifics for
your car, truck or SUV.
- Tool
Blog: We have created a blog with the latest and greatest
tools from Amazon.com
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