Necessary tools

[BlueIX]

I've been working on my car alot lately and have noticed that I do not have all the necessary tools.

Here is what I have:
General 200 piece mechanic set (sockets, ratchets, misc tools that everyone should have)
Spark Plug Sockets
32MM wrench for Fan Clutch
Jacks
Jack Stands
Ramps

What are some of the other tools needed to work on e30's as well as other cars that are good to have just in case. Maybe we could compile a list. I would just like to work on my car without having to take a trip to Sears, pepboys, etc in the middle of it. Thanks

[Jean]

I've been able to do most of the things with just the regular sockets and wrenches. Bentley lists some of the tools needed also, but they are more so specific to a job at hand (wheel bearings for example)...

For me it's just a couple flat head and phillips screwdrivers, a set of metric wrenches and sockets, allen and torx sockets and bits, torque wrench, 2 jacks, 4 jack stands, DMM, test light. I would like to get a set of gear wrenches next though to make the job(s) easier.

[LINUS]

JB weld

Torque wrench

[browntown]

eventually you'll discover the beauty of air tools. wait for a sale at sears or harbor freight and get a compressor. Don't make the mistake I did and buy cheap air tools, just to replace them less than a year later. Ingersol-Rand FTW.

Oh and I have gear-wrenches from 7mm to 25mm, they're now more used than my ratchets. Spendy, but you'll use them constantly.

[ldsbeaker]

Unfortunately, until you have replaced EVERYTHING on your car, you will still need to make trips to the parts/tool store.
Some of my favorite tools:
air compressor with tools (especially useful for suspension stuff)
inside/outside torx sockets
17mm hex end (for draining and filling manual tranny)
one of those screwdriver type tools for adjusting clamps on hoses
another screwdriver type that you can put your 1/4" sockets on (love that thing)
7mm box end for bleeding brakes
torque wrenches 3/8" and 1/2" (almost forgot)
feeler gauges
and a BFH.
I'm getting ready to buy the bearing removal tool ($250!!) only because I have 2 Bimmers that are going to need it...

Like I said, the list goes on, but these are some that I can distinctly remember needing, trying to do without and just caving and buying the tool.
I'm sure there's a "hack mechanic" workaround for all of them, but why, when you can alleviate the possibility of breaking/rounding/stripping something that didn't need to be fixed in the first place?

[AndrewBird]

another screwdriver type that you can put your 1/4" sockets on (love that thing)
7mm box end for bleeding brakes

It's called a socket driver. And there are tools that are made to fit the bleeders better then a standard box end, like this

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12433&group_ID=1686&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

The bend in it makes it a lot easier to use and you're a lot less likely to round off the bleeder.

On to the list, I would add:

Male hex sockets (like for the diff output flanges or pressure plate)
1/2" Breaker Bar (not a pipe, a bar a socket fits on to)
A GOOD set of screw drivers
Snap ring pliers - SO helpful when you need them (CSB for example)
STRONG universal joints - Useful when removing exhaust at the manifolds
Multimeter
Test light
Flair nut wrench(s) - For brake lines

That's all I can think of right now.

As far as buying tools go, I wouldn't rush out and buy everything you're ever going to need because some stuff you might not ever use. I would buy tools as you need them. Plan ahead and make sure you have the tools for the job you are doing BEFORE yo start on it.

I would however go buy things like a nice set of screwdrivers or universal joints - stuff you will use all the time.

[ldsbeaker]

It's called a socket driver. And there are tools that are made to fit the bleeders better then a standard box end, like this

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=12433&group_ID=1686&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

The bend in it makes it a lot easier to use and you're a lot less likely to round off the bleeder.
.

Thanks. I'm not a tool salesman. I just know what I'm looking for when I need it. p.s. $43? Yikes. I know I was looking for something similar to that at Sears. I don't think I got that one...

[StereoInstaller1]

Test light
GOOD Crimpers (I like ChannelLock best)

[AndrewBird]

Thanks. I'm not a tool salesman. I just know what I'm looking for when I need it. p.s. $43? Yikes. I know I was looking for something similar to that at Sears. I don't think I got that one...

Ya, Snap-on is a bit expensive. Correction; VERY expensive.

[backtrail69]

A good set of plyers (dikes, channel locks, needle nose etc), good set of screw drivers, complete 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 in sockets with ratches, extensions etc, open end wrench set, lock ring plyers, floor jack, jack stands (4), magnet, multimeter, test light, soldering iron, pickle fork, various pullers, torque wrenches, several hammers and many more things.. It takes alot to do everything, but slowly you with gather everything. I have more or less all of that + some and I am only 19 (working on cars for the last 3.5 years)...

[Jscotty]

Get a set of METRIC hex wrenches that have EVERY size in the set. Most of the cheaper sets that you can get skip sizes. I learned this the hard way when I had to do a brake job. The bolts take the 7mm allen/hex key. You can't force an 8 in there and you cant wrap aluminum foil around the 6 in order to make it work. The 7 is the only thing that fits. And hex keys are so precise that there isnt even a U.S. standard size that works as a substitute. You know how sometimes you can interchange a 13mm or 14mm socket with a 1/2" and 9/16" respectively. But that does not work with hex wrenches.

Also get a set of star points for your magnetic screwdriver that has the interchangeable bits.- They make a great substitute for the hex wrench in situations where you gotta get into a tight spot but cant quite get the hex key down there. And the last thing is a telescopic magnetic pickup tool.

[backtrail69]

E and T torx and Allen sockets...

[BigFurryWhale]

I forget what size it is, but it helps to have a thin (22 mm i think) wrench for the fan clutch removal. Torque wrench, maybe some loctite, penetrating oil are things I'm going to get soon to add to my small arsenal of tools.

[ldsbeaker]

It's a 32, and he has that.

[Simon S]

beer

.