Tools for DIY maintenance? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

F1point4 · 08-05-2012, 02:01 PM

Being an engineer, I am always learning something new. Goes the same for the FR-S; this will be my car where I do most of the maintenance. Need to build up my tool kit. After browsing many of the DIY threads I came up with the following minimum tool list that should cover 90% of the maintenance and modification work I'd be doing (belts, brakes, fluids, batteries, rotations, exhaust swaps, side marker swap, etc). Might try spark plugs and suspension.

Tool box
3/8" drive socket wrench
3/8" drive torque wrench
Various Length 3/8" drive extensions
10mm 3/8" socket
12mm 3/8" socket
14mm 3/8" socket
14mm combination Wrench
1/2" drive torque wrench (Thanks cmspooner)
19mm 1/2" socket (Thanks cmspooner)
Various Length 1/2" drive extensions (Thanks cmspooner)
Long Flathead Screwdriver
Long Phillips head Screwdriver
Racing Jack
4 Jack Stands
Wheel Chocks
Wheel Lug Wrench
Drain Pan
2 Funnels (clean/dirty)
Tire Pressure Meter (Thanks mediumbrown)
Air Compressor (Thanks mediumbrown)
Flash light (Thanks mediumbrown)
Shop Towel (Thanks mediumbrown)
C-Clamps (Thanks Calum)

What else should I be looking at to make a minimal kit? I don't have a garage; have to carry these things to my family/friend's. I appreciate the feedback.

mediumbrown · 08-05-2012, 02:50 PM

don't forget the essentials:

tire pressure gauge & air compressor
shop rags

flashlight [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-Highbeam-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Lumens/dp/B003Z3SLE6/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1344192369&sr=8-12&keywords=car+charger+flashlight"]something like this... plug it inside the glovebox[/ame]

Xauterus · 08-05-2012, 06:50 PM

You had better look at the workshop manual for changing spark plugs. It's a major task.

NeedsmoreCowbell · 08-05-2012, 07:14 PM

cordless impact wrench FTW!

cmspooner · 08-05-2012, 07:45 PM

Don't bother with a small number of specific wrenches...get a full socket set with both metric and us sizes. You should also get a full set of combination wrenches. You will probably need a 1/2 inch torque wrench as the lug nuts are 19mm. You should also get a short 1/2 inch extension because the lug nuts are very deep, I picked up a 3 inches and it made a world of difference. You will also need ramps with extensions so you can get your car onto them without scraping.

dem00n · 08-05-2012, 08:55 PM

Snap On.

Thats it.
Oh and if your in high school you can get 50% off all Snap On products, i learned that a month after high school ended for me...nice.

F1point4 · 08-05-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmspooner

Don't bother with a small number of specific wrenches...get a full socket set with both metric and us sizes. You should also get a full set of combination wrenches. You will probably need a 1/2 inch torque wrench as the lug nuts are 19mm. You should also get a short 1/2 inch extension because the lug nuts are very deep, I picked up a 3 inches and it made a world of difference. You will also need ramps with extensions so you can get your car onto them without scraping.

Thought I might need a 1/2" wrench/torque wrench for the wheels. Yea the plan was to buy sets, however I wanted to see what we specifically needed for this car. Appreciate the feedback

Is there a specific use for ramps that a jack and stands can't do?

--
F1point4

Calum · 08-05-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1point4

Is there a specific use for ramps that a jack and stands can't do?

--
F1point4

It's mainly personal preference. I prefer to work with the car on ramps, I trust it more, but it's really all in my head.

Don't forget a BFH and a crow bar, maybe a c-clamp for putting caliber pistons back in place. Also a pickle fork for the various ball joints throughout the suspension.

*KID* · 08-05-2012, 10:05 PM

I heard dealer had a special tool to reduce R&R Spark plug time...

F1point4 · 08-05-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calum

It's mainly personal preference. I prefer to work with the car on ramps, I trust it more, but it's really all in my head.

Don't forget a BFH and a crow bar, maybe a c-clamp for putting caliber pistons back in place. Also a pickle fork for the various ball joints throughout the suspension.

Agreed. I think ramps are safer too. Just less versatile when it comes to tire rotations.

What is a BFH? What might I use a crow bar for? Do I need to get the Freeman crowbar?

mediumbrown · 08-05-2012, 10:34 PM

big f*cken hammer BFH

F1point4 · 08-05-2012, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedsmoreCowbell

cordless impact wrench FTW!

Love to, but I think it's not a required tool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xauterus

You had better look at the workshop manual for changing spark plugs. It's a major task.

Quote:

Originally Posted by *KID*

I heard dealer had a special tool to reduce R&R Spark plug time...

I heard both of these were true. Maybe I won't do my own plugs :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by mediumbrown

big f*cken hammer BFH

Thanks!

cmspooner · 08-05-2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1point4

Thought I might need a 1/2" wrench/torque wrench for the wheels. Yea the plan was to buy sets, however I wanted to see what we specifically needed for this car. Appreciate the feedback

Is there a specific use for ramps that a jack and stands can't do?

No, but ramps can be more convenient for quick things like oil changes...and they are very stable. They are easier, and I feel safer, for doing solo work. You should also get some chocks.

rice_classic · 08-06-2012, 12:29 AM

Milwaukee 450ft/lb lithium ion 1/2" cordless impact gun!
Milwaukee 185ft/lb lithium ion 1/2" cordless impact gun! (for the small areas)

Lithium Ion, cordless LED shop light.

AIM Solo GPS OBD2 lap timer + data acquisition
Longacre digital tire pyrometer. (tire pressure gauge already mentioned)
GoPro/Contour/Drift Innovation camera plus suction cup mounts.
5 gallon air tank
Extra set of wheels with track tires mounted
Sparco gloves, Snell2010 helmet, driving shoes

whoa.. I think I was distracted there.

08-05-2012, 02:01 PM	#1
F1point4 Photo Specialist Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 Toyota 86 DGM 6MT Location: Texas Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 587 Thanked 1,803 Times in 420 Posts Mentioned: 94 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Tools for DIY maintenance? Being an engineer, I am always learning something new. Goes the same for the FR-S; this will be my car where I do most of the maintenance. Need to build up my tool kit. After browsing many of the DIY threads I came up with the following minimum tool list that should cover 90% of the maintenance and modification work I'd be doing (belts, brakes, fluids, batteries, rotations, exhaust swaps, side marker swap, etc). Might try spark plugs and suspension. Tool box 3/8" drive socket wrench 3/8" drive torque wrench Various Length 3/8" drive extensions 10mm 3/8" socket 12mm 3/8" socket 14mm 3/8" socket 14mm combination Wrench 1/2" drive torque wrench (Thanks cmspooner) 19mm 1/2" socket (Thanks cmspooner) Various Length 1/2" drive extensions (Thanks cmspooner) Long Flathead Screwdriver Long Phillips head Screwdriver Racing Jack 4 Jack Stands Wheel Chocks Wheel Lug Wrench Drain Pan 2 Funnels (clean/dirty) Tire Pressure Meter (Thanks mediumbrown) Air Compressor (Thanks mediumbrown) Flash light (Thanks mediumbrown) Shop Towel (Thanks mediumbrown) C-Clamps (Thanks Calum) What else should I be looking at to make a minimal kit? I don't have a garage; have to carry these things to my family/friend's. I appreciate the feedback. __________________ Lola - Toyota 86 6MT Dark Gray Metallic My 86 Flickr Set Last edited by F1point4; 08-05-2012 at 10:33 PM. Reason: Adding to list

08-05-2012, 10:05 PM	#9
KID 86-er Join Date: May 2012 Drives: BRZ tS Location: Laredo, TX Posts: 970 Thanks: 195 Thanked 253 Times in 175 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I heard dealer had a special tool to reduce R&R Spark plug time... __________________ 2018 Subaru BRZ ts 020/500 - My Daily, work car, and track car

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08-05-2012, 02:50 PM	#2
mediumbrown Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2013 Argento Scion FR-S Location: USA Posts: 74 Thanks: 15 Thanked 28 Times in 14 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	don't forget the essentials: tire pressure gauge & air compressor shop rags flashlight [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Nebo-Highbeam-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Lumens/dp/B003Z3SLE6/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1344192369&sr=8-12&keywords=car+charger+flashlight"]something like this... plug it inside the glovebox[/ame]

08-05-2012, 06:50 PM	#3
Xauterus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: GTS 86 Galaxy Blue Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 212 Thanks: 8 Thanked 35 Times in 26 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You had better look at the workshop manual for changing spark plugs. It's a major task.

08-05-2012, 07:14 PM	#4
NeedsmoreCowbell toyotas are practical :) Join Date: May 2012 Drives: Hot Lava FRS Location: Plano, TX Posts: 119 Thanks: 62 Thanked 49 Times in 24 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	cordless impact wrench FTW!

08-05-2012, 08:55 PM	#6
dem00n Member of the year - 2016 Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Scion FRS Location: New York Posts: 3,575 Thanks: 788 Thanked 2,427 Times in 1,111 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Snap On. Thats it. Oh and if your in high school you can get 50% off all Snap On products, i learned that a month after high school ended for me...nice.

08-05-2012, 10:34 PM	#11
mediumbrown Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2013 Argento Scion FR-S Location: USA Posts: 74 Thanks: 15 Thanked 28 Times in 14 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	big f*cken hammer BFH

08-06-2012, 12:29 AM	#14
rice_classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Nevermorange FRS Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,160 Thanks: 755 Thanked 4,200 Times in 1,803 Posts Mentioned: 77 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Milwaukee 450ft/lb lithium ion 1/2" cordless impact gun! Milwaukee 185ft/lb lithium ion 1/2" cordless impact gun! (for the small areas) Lithium Ion, cordless LED shop light. AIM Solo GPS OBD2 lap timer + data acquisition Longacre digital tire pyrometer. (tire pressure gauge already mentioned) GoPro/Contour/Drift Innovation camera plus suction cup mounts. 5 gallon air tank Extra set of wheels with track tires mounted Sparco gloves, Snell2010 helmet, driving shoes whoa.. I think I was distracted there.

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