Auto Tools For The DIY'er
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. General tools: A good 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 cannot beat the
lifetime guarantee. Plus wherever you are, there is a Sears
store to take your broken tools in for replacement. 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, but
the manual will give you all of the specifics for your car,
truck or SUV.