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.

don't forget the essentials:

tire pressure gauge & air compressor
shop rags :D
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]

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

cordless impact wrench FTW!

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.

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.

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?


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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.

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

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?

big f*cken hammer BFH

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



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


Thanks!

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.

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. :)