Tools needed...

[MSP#735]

I am wanting to buy a socket set for my MSP and i was curious as to what the exact size range is for our cars...i.e 10mm-23mm....the main sizes (oil,spark plug size, transmission, blah, blah, blah) i want to get a good set of tools for the car and it would help greatly if i knew the range that i would need. Thanks!!

MSP#735

[xelderx]

I am wanting to buy a socket set for my MSP and i was curious as to what the exact size range is for our cars...i.e 10mm-23mm....the main sizes (oil,spark plug size, transmission, blah, blah, blah) i want to get a good set of tools for the car and it would help greatly if i knew the range that i would need. Thanks!!

MSP#735
That sounds like the everything. There may be a few 8mm bolts here and there, but you can just buy an extra socket for that. The main ones are 10,12,14,17,19,21,23mm if I remember correctly.

[MSP#735]

nice!! thanks

[Puckpimp71]

Make sure you get a few deep sockets, too. I know the spark plugs are 16mm deep socket. Good luck finding a 23mm plug, btw. I called every hardware store I can find within 25 miles of me and all the sets skipped 23mm. go figure

[Heathen23]

A nice kit is the way to go if you just starting up a collection. They aren't overly pricey for what you get and how long they last. I think you can get an amazing kit with all the sockets you will need plus everything else in between the simple around $75 to the ideal around $300 ish. I'd consider saving up or investing in a nice kit considering you will always have them handy. My tools are the best investment I've made not just for my car but anything else.

This is what I have for my basics http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1042857645.1086812228@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadcljkjmmflcgelceffdfgidgki.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Super%20Categories/Tools%20%26%20Hardware&MID=9876&pos=p06

Sorry the link won't take you to the exact kit. Go to Husky and look through the kits. I got the largest one and it was perfect for my needs.

It was worth every penny and is a great buy. You can basically do everything to the car with this kit and picking up extras as you go along at a very low cost.

Sorry for the long post but tools are your friends!

edit: if you aren't sure about the quality of those kits look around, but I can tell you I beat the piss out of mine and they keep looking and working great

[xelderx]

Double right on the deep sockets and get an extension set too.. Sooner or later you'll wish you had them.

[jersey_emt]

Breaker bar for those pesky exhaust bolts

[MSP#735]

thanks guys, you rock!!

[jersey_emt]

I think I remember using a 15mm socket on the exhaust somewhere but I could be just hallucinating (dunno)

[goonsquad]

Your link didn't work for me...


A nice kit is the way to go if you just starting up a collection. They aren't overly pricey for what you get and how long they last. I think you can get an amazing kit with all the sockets you will need plus everything else in between the simple around $75 to the ideal around $300 ish. I'd consider saving up or investing in a nice kit considering you will always have them handy. My tools are the best investment I've made not just for my car but anything else.

This is what I have for my basics http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1042857645.1086812228@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadcljkjmmflcgelceffdfgidgki.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Super%20Categories/Tools%20%26%20Hardware&MID=9876&pos=p06

Sorry the link won't take you to the exact kit. Go to Husky and look through the kits. I got the largest one and it was perfect for my needs.

It was worth every penny and is a great buy. You can basically do everything to the car with this kit and picking up extras as you go along at a very low cost.

Sorry for the long post but tools are your friends!

[MSP#735]

oh also......do i need to get the 3/8" set, with the 6 point sockets? what about a universal joint or even open ended wrenchs?

MSP#735

[Heathen23]

Your link didn't work for me...
My bad goonsquad. Just go to the homedepot website, tools, hand tools, husky and then look through those kits. The kit I have is like 170 pieces for only $80 and I will honestly tell you I'm not nice to my tools and it hasn't even flinched. Not too mention they get used every weekend on more than one car normally. Worth every penny for me. As projects have progressed little odds and ends are always needed and often it's cheapest to pick those tools up as you go along.

[CRDMS1]

That sounds like the everything. There may be a few 8mm bolts here and there, but you can just buy an extra socket for that. The main ones are 10,12,14,17,19,21,23mm if I remember correctly.
Those socket sizes will cover at least 95% of anything you could ever do to this car.


oh also......do i need to get the 3/8" set, with the 6 point sockets? what about a universal joint or even open ended wrenchs?
3/8" is a perfect size for this range. I highly recommend 6-point due to the tougher suspension and exhaust bolts. You will definitely need 8, 10, 12, and 14mm open ended wrenches at some point. Torque wrench, even a cheaper one, is a must. Various length extensions and a breaker bar are handy. Don't forget the WD-40 to soak those bolts!

BTW, I haven't run into the need for a u-joint.

Peace...(hippy)

[KyRaceFan]

i have the 151pc craftsman mechanics toolset from sears. A 20 piece screwdriver set, some 3/8th extensions, some pliers, and a few extra deepwell sockets.
Wratcheting wrenchs are also very handy. I got a 5 piece set that has 10 different sizes..

[xelderx]

I think I remember using a 15mm socket on the exhaust somewhere but I could be just hallucinating (dunno)
Jersey, you might be right. Maybe at the flanges for the cat. I can't remember either.

[Heathen23]

Jersey, you might be right. Maybe at the flanges for the cat. I can't remember either.
There is something weird like that but I think it might be a better fit with something SAE.

[Wiggles422]

In addition to what everyone else has mentioned, I would suggest getting a "stubby" ratchet, they always help out in cramped places. The ratcheting wrenches (like kyracefan said) are very handy. Universal joints can be very helpful in making sure that you have the right angle on the nut or bolt. Stripping is not good (in this case anyways).

Every tool I've purchased has gone to use more than once, so make sure you get something that's going to last. The LAST thing you want is to make a run to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. to get a tool when you're in the middle of working on your car.

Having the proper tool makes all the difference.

[MSP#735]

very, very tru!!

[MSPinVA]

If you can spare the money, a Craftsman set is one of the best investments you can make. They RARELY break, and if they do, just send them back to sears and they give you a new one. I definitely agree with jersey too, a breaker bar is good to have too, as well as a torque wrench. I would also suggest getting a dremel, or something of that nature. They come in handy almost everywhere. Also a drill, if you get lazy and dont feel like turning a screwdriver :)

[Wiggles422]

Yeah I forgot about the breaker bar... sooner or later you'll find a total PITA bolt and a breaker bar is a life safer. I've been known to ghetto rig a breaker bar by getting a foot or so piece of 1" diameter PVC pipe and put it over a ratchet. It gives a bit more leverage and helps out a lot.

[goldstar]

Snap-on makes a 23 mm socket. Get that in 6 pt-you need it for transmission drain and fill bolts. Don't just buy a 16 mm deep socket for the spark plugs but get a 16 mm or 5/8" spark plug socket with rubber insert to hold the plugs when removing and installing. Both Snap-on and Craftsman make this. As already mentioned, a torque wrench is essential. I have a Craftsman 3/8" drive 5-80 ft/lbs (also reads in N/m). Part no. is 44596 and it cost me ~$90. It's well worth the price.

[jrodhotrod]

If you want to get a comprehensive tool set that won't break the bank check out Costco and the Crescent hand tool set they carry. It was recommended to me by a mechanic friend of mine and has pretty much every socket you could ever need. Along with a set of open end/closed end wrenches and other misc. goodies. It's like a 250-300pc kit or something like that and will cost you $160. Good quality stuff, I have been happy with it.

[Puckpimp71]

P'blaster is about a million times more effective at loosening stuck bolts than WD-40. Ask the endlinks on my SHO.... That stuff has paid for it's self several times over.