First we'll begin with the tools.
Ratchet and socket set - This set of tools is probably one of the most crucial and frequently used occur your toolbox. You actually want to buy the very best that you could afford. I would recommend that you get a collection that is both standard in addition to metric. What I am talking about could be the set will have sockets that are measured in millimeters and other sockets that are measured in fractions of inches. If the set does not need both forms of sockets, you may have to get two separate sets. One more thing to think about is whether the ratchet set uses a 1/4" or 3/8" drive. The difference is that the 3/8" drive lets you use more torque and is used to tighten larger bolts or nuts.
Open - ended or crescent wrench set - These wrenches will also be obtainable in standard and metric measurements. They allow you to turn nuts and bolts that are in hard - to - reach places. They're also obtainable in a combination type that is open on a single end and has a ratcheting function on one other end.
Torque wrench - A torque wrench can also be very important. This tool lets you tighten nuts and bolts precisely with the best quantity of torque. Torque is basically turning force and is measured in ft. - lbs. (pounds per foot) or Newton meters. Do not purchase a cheap torque wrench. If you do you, is likely to be replacing it earlier than you think. Using a torque wrench to tighten bolts, you'll make sure that you don't over tighten and damage vehicle parts.
Breaker bar - This can be a very valuable tool and has saved my bacon a lot more than once. A breaker bar is used to loosen very stubborn nuts and bolts. They can be found in varying lengths and I've seen from 17 in. long all the way around 40 in. long. The longer the breaker bar is, the more torque it allows you to hold a fan or bolt using the thought of leverage. Do not use your ratchet to loosen stubborn nuts and bolts! It is not designed for this and you'll break it.
Pliers set - Get hold of a pliers set. You need to be able to find a set with varying sized handles in addition to varied tips or noses. You employ these for grabbing, cutting, pinching, and gripping. Make sure the set has needle - nosed pliers as well. They are invaluable.
Lock - grip pliers - They are also known as vice - grip pliers. You will use these to grab and hold nuts and bolts. They are also made of handy when you need to turn a fan or bolt that's lost its hexagonal shape. This sort of bolt head can't be turned with a ranch or ratchet because those tools can't get a grasp on it. This is definitely a cool tool!
Tongue and groove pliers - This sort of pliers will also be known as channel - locks. This sort of pliers lets you tighten or loosen bolts and nuts of varying sizes.
Floor jack - An excellent floor jack is a good tool to have. You've a port that was included with your vehicle and this is useful for changing a set tire. A ground jack is significantly more heavy - duty and has a higher lifting capacity. It has a handle and wheels in order to push it around easily. It could lift the entire frontend and or backend of your vehicle. You will make use of this to improve the vehicle to use it jack stands. Note: Never, never, never go under a vehicle that is supported solely by a jack. The jack could fail and you might be injured or killed.
Jack stands - Jack stands are accustomed to support the entire weight of your vehicle. Typically you'd either raise and support the leading of the vehicle (with 2 Jack stands), the rear of the vehicle (with 2 Jack stands), or the entire vehicle (with 4 Jack stands). Do not buy cheap jack stands. You're life is dependent upon it. I would recommend that the gross weight capacity of 4 jack stands is at the very least double the weight of you vehicle. Some jack stands have redundancy built right it. They have pins in addition to teeth to lock the supports in place. They are highly recommended. Note: When utilizing jack stands, always make use of a floor jack as the next amount of redundancy just in case a port stand fails. Enhance the floor jack so that it comes touching either the frame of the vehicle or one of the designated jacking points.
Wheel chocks - Wheel chocks are triangular blocks that are accustomed to prevent a vehicle from rolling whilst it is being jacked. They are extremely important for safety.
Now let's cover safety, helpers, and cleanliness.
Lighting (overhead, flashlight, headband light) - You actually need adequate lighting when working on your vehicle. I would recommend an excellent overhead light for general lighting. You can make up a fluorescent shop light from your local hardware store. Also pick up a couple of good flashlights, one large and one small. I would recommend one of the newer types that use LED bulbs. They're brighter and use a lot less power, therefore you won't undergo so many batteries. Another very useful type of lighting could be the headband light. This sort of light is much like the ones that miners use and basically shines the light wherever you happen to look.
Telescoping magnet - This sort of tool may be worth its weight in gold. It is basically a small, strong magnet attached to a telescoping wand. It basically seems like a radio antenna. You will make use of this to pick up nuts and bolts that fall under hard - to - reach places. You will drop them and this tool will rescue you. Only if they'd one to pick up rubber O - rings...
Safety glasses or goggles - Protective eyewear is extremely important. It doesn't matter what style you decide on, just make sure that you have them. There aren't way too many things worse than working under a vehicle and having dirt and grime drop into your eye. They will also protect you from flying objects such as for instance tools and tiny car parts.
Multipurpose lubricant - That is used when you need to loosen stubborn or seized nuts and bolts. It penetrates metal to metal contact. Additionally it stops squeaks and drives out moisture. A standard brand is WD - 40 but you can even of course find it under other names.
Anti - seize lubricant - That is utilized on the threads of screws and bolts to avoid the metal parts from seizing. This will allow an installed screw or bolt to be easily removed later. This will save you plenty of time and effort while performing maintenance on commonly replaced parts.
Brake parts cleaner - Brakes parts cleaner is not merely used to wash brake parts as its name suggests, is used to wash most situations with automotive grease and grime on it. It evaporates quickly and I'm amazed virtually every time I use it.
Oil drain pan - You will make use of this to catch dirty oil when you're performing a gas change. I would recommend the type that not merely catches the oil, but you can even utilize it to transport the oil when you yourself have to dispose of it. Ensure that the capability of the oil drain pan is at the very least twice the amount of the oil in your vehicle. This way, you can change the oil more than once or for multiple vehicle before taking the oil in for disposal.
Gloves - I would recommend that you have 2 forms of gloves on hand. The very first type is mechanics gloves. They're heavy - duty and routinely have rubber grips on the fingers and palm. Purchase the very best that you could afford so they will last. The next type are latex gloves. They're thin enough so you keep your dexterity and they help to keep both hands clean. Get a field of the heavier gauge type and steer clear of ab muscles thin ones. The thin ones are easily pierced and ripped and you should go through plenty of them.
Coveralls - Now this one is optional, but do you really want to mess up your clothes? You are likely to get dirty, that's for sure. Why not have clothes that are designated for that purpose. Coveralls will allow you to enter the mechanic's mindset and it could keep your mind away from trying to keep clean and onto the duty at hand.
Hand Cleaner - You'll need a good strong hand cleaner to remove all that dirt and grime. You've many different forms of hand cleaner, but my favorite could be the paste type. It comes in only a little plastic or metal can and you rub it on both hands without using water. As soon as you rub it throughout both hands and scrub away the dirt and grime, you merely wash it off with heated water and soap. It's quite amazing. Don't forget to have the dirt and grease out of your fingernails.
Shop rags - Select a bag of shop rags. They're typically how big wash cloths and are great at wiping and picking right up dirt and oil. They're inexpensive and make sure you have plenty of readily available before making any repairs. Note: Ensure that you may not wash these rags with any other garments because they'll bleed and you might get pink underwear.
Mechanics toolbox - Last, but most certainly not least, is an excellent toolbox. They can be found in numerous sizes, shapes, and colors. You can spend only a little or a lot. The difference between the cheap ones in the expensive ones comes down to 2 things. The very first one could be the thickness of the metal that toolbox is created of. The thicker the metal, the stronger and higher the weight limit of the toolbox. The next thing could be the hardware for the toolbox. The slides, rollers, and handles make a big difference in the caliber of the toolbox. Ensure that the one which you decide on allows room for growth as you purchase more and more tools.
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