Tools for the job - What is necessary for an E30?

[Jand3rson]

Well, the new E30 is coming next Sunday. I'm going to start working on it immediatlely, but my last set of tools is bye-bye. Apparently, it was in the trunk of the car when it was hauled away (D'OH!). Not that it was much good, it was one of those $50 sets they have at Wal-Mart or something, my Grandma got it for me for X-mas.

I'm going to be buying all new tools, and I want to know what eveyone thinks is the essentials of an E30 toolbox. So let's hear it.

[KenC]

A metric ratchet set (w/deep and short sockets).

Some people have told me I have an amazing ability for stating the obvious.

[Brian 89 325i]

No brainer
Metric wrenches
Metric sockets
hammer :twisted:
BENTLY
few torx
screwdrivers
Extensions and Uni joints

Just general tool stuff. Not TOO many E30 specific parts

Specific
Thin walled 32(?) MM socket for the tranni output flange
Angled gapper set for adj valves

Feel free to add on

Brian

[Erick]

22mm socket for the steering wheel :P
A cooled beer
Metric wrenches with one full ring on one side ( a lot better grip than a regular wrench like the ones in the trunk )
etc etc.....

I need a toolbox......

[nando]

You'll need sockets from 8-22mm, a 30mm socket for the wheel hub nuts (32mm on the ix), wrenches from 8-22mm, a 32mm thin wrench for the clutch fan, inverted torx sockets, metric allen key sets (and allen socket sets), a torque wrench (150 ft-lbs or more), a breaker bar (don't use a torque wrench for this!), floor jack, jackstands, feeler gauges (for adjusting valves), screwdrivers, a BFH (my 1lb deadblow is too small), a nice collection of pullers, spring compressor, pipe wrench, uhh.. I think that's most of the important stuff I have, there's probably more.

This will allow you to do pretty much anything to your car, including suspension, drivetrain and engine work. A jumper wire with an inline fuse can be used to reset your SI lights, a multimeter is very useful for electrical problems and to test sensors, and a brake bleeder tool (to pressurize the system) is extremely helpful when bleeding your brakes.

[Jand3rson]

Thanks guys, that should just about do it.

BTW, I hope this thread didn't make everyone think I was a retard, I just forgot all the specific tools I had for working on my car. :D

[Ryan Stewart]

make sure when you get sockets to only get the 6 sided ones. A lot of those cheapy ones are the 12 sided and those are great for stripping nuts.

17mm deep well socket is great for the lugs if you have a bitdriver.

[KenC]

17mm allen wrench (or that ratchet bit that BavAuto sells for $25) for the transmission drain and fill plugs.

[LikeCDoos]

i'd also get a test light...those things are great. I've used them many times to figure something out or rewire something in my car or a friends.

[reelizmpro]

Assortment of metric sockets, box and open end wrenches with extensions and swivel. 10mm/13mm/17mm are commonly used all over the car. Also get a set of allen wrenches, phillips and flatheads. Don't get a set of vice grips. 1/4" rachets also help get into those tight spaces.

[325 eta]

metric allen wrench set for the rotors. floor jack, digital camera so you know how to put the shit back together! (i assume your doing a lot of mods). if you can get air tool bc they
eveything do much easier.

[darien28]

personally, I'd goto sears and pickup a set of metric tools... lifetime replacement so u can abuse the shit outta the tools and when it breaks... get another one free.

in addition to all the normals stuff, you might want to consider investing in an aluminum low prifile jack from harbor freight tools ($99) if you're lowering your car and need to lift it up a lot. those 3ton giant floor jacks are a PITA and they're heavy as #@$%.

other than that...

that's bout it.

oh, and a $10-20 voltage tester for electronics troubleshooting is good too.

[AndrewBird]

I would also say a good 12 volt battery charger. Don't need anything special, but just something that will charge a battery over-night if needed. Get a nice tool box while getting all the tools too. Nothing sucks more then working out of a card board box. :roll:

Andrew

[Matto]

A cooled beer

Beer + car mechanical work = BAAAD :evil:

[Jand3rson]

Nothing sucks more then working out of a card board box. :roll:

Andrew

Yeah, I seem to remeber having to do that at one point...