Tool Suggestions?

[charlie321]

I haven't worked on 240s much yet, and i'm deciding to get a tool set, i'm a little tired of borrowing haha. Anyways this is what i've looked at, maybe its too much or too little, not sure.

15 Pieces
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00934869000&cat=Tool+Sets&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

83 Pieces
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00934083000&cat=Tool+Sets&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

117 Pieces
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00934083000&cat=Tool+Sets&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

[Vision Garage]

None of hte links work but I would say get teh 113 piece. Its better to have them there than to buy piece by piece later. Saves you in the long run.

[charlie321]

would i actually need all of them in the long run though?


15 Pieces
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00934869000&cat=Tool+Sets&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

83 Pieces
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00934083000&cat=Tool+Sets&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

117 Piece
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Tool+Sets&pid=00934117000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

[!Zar!]

Out of those three go with the 113.

You can never have too many tools.

If you must, get a version of each type, Cresent, socket, deep socket. In sizes, 10,12,14,17,19,22. Those are the most common.

Get a racing jack. They are lower than standard dino jacks.

Jack stands.

Breaker bar.

Torque wrench.

Common sense.

Computer ready to search Zilvia.

That should be just what you need.

I wouldn't suggest any of those sets.

Buy an all METRIC tool set. Japanese cars only use metric. That SAE stuff is basically garbage unless you plan on working with american cars.

[breakindrifts]

Mehh, get an ALL METRIC socket set from Harbor Freight tools.

You never really need to use the SAE sockets.

EDIT: Yeah ZAR basically said it.

[charlie321]

haha thanks, i haven't looked up a breaker bar yet, but thanks alot, i really appriciate it.

[Vision Garage]

haha. Yea our cars uses Metric. Not bad to have SAE in case. Better safe than sorry.

[5t341tH]

once in a while sears has sales. i got a 155 piece toolset for 100 bucks. its been great since its craftsman. i recently broke a ratchet and they fixed it no problem
also try to buy some of those ratcheting wrenches. those same a ton of time compared to using conventional wrenches

[Anto]

pretty much what zar said

1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive.

8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22. Socket for the crank pulley is nice too.
Spark plug socket, breaker bars. tq. wrench in each size (you'll be mostly using 3/8 and 1/2)

I got my tq wrenches from harbor freight. not the best, but gets the job done.

long wrenches (and or ratcheting) are a nice plus too.
and I almost forgot. a MULTIMETER.

you think regular tools are bad? just wait until you start getting into specialty tools. vac pump, fuel pressure tester, caliper tool, balljoint tools, etc. it's killer. harbor freight is your friend.

my suggestion? get a craftsman tool set. they are cheap (when on sale) and you can use the extra tools. a nice 245pc easy to read socket set in a big box for $200. buy other tools accordingly.

[racerx1222]

Invest in the larger tool set. You'll end up using them sooner or later. It is true that sears has sales on the larger sets on a regular basis. Gotta love the no hassle warrenty. I've broken a couple sockets and ratchets already. The ratcheting wrenches do come in handy.

[TheWolf]

harborfreight sells a chrome plated wrench set that is smooth. Direct copy of the nice snap on wrenches and they're like $7.99 when on sale for like 8-19mm. I've only broken one in 4 years and that's cause I was standing on it and using the open end.

[steve shadows]

i have what is equivilent to the smallest set in tools right now and i build motors, drop diffs, trannys etc, and i dont even have air.

I guess its because im a ninja though.

thanks for the link btw im going to buy the middle set you posted on friday/monday.

need some new stuff

[sleepy_s13]

pretty much what everyone else said, you dont really need sae sockets or wrenches. autozone has a set of metric greatneck sockets that work well they come in a pack with long and short sockets for like $20.00. You can also go to harborfrieght and get some basic tools for cheap. i went the other day and bought some screwdivers, an allen wrench set, wire strippers, and some electric tape for like ten bucks.

[Sir]

i go to hf for a 4 dollar tool
walk out with 3 bags and $100+ spent.

Place fukkin sux, make me go broke :(

[nightxraider]

once in a while sears has sales. i got a 155 piece toolset for 100 bucks. its been great since its craftsman. i recently broke a ratchet and they fixed it no problem
also try to buy some of those ratcheting wrenches. those same a ton of time compared to using conventional wrenches

+1, ive taken a couple of tools back to them and had them replaced for free, didnit even need my receipt.

EDIT: I dont know if this applies to non SR20'ers, but you may need a 6 inch extension for 3/8" sockets if you plan on changing your spark plugs (the 3 inch that comes with the set will not cut it).

[charlie321]

ah i see, thanks all of you, but so what i hear, its good to have alot, but some of you live with not so many? cause i'm thinking of the 85 piece also

[!Zar!]

The sizes I listed you you'll be using for near the whole time you own the car.

Anything else will most likely be a specialty tool.

Unless you plan on working with american cars don't buy a combined tool set.

Get metric only.

Personaly I have tons of tools.

But like I said. Start out with what I listed above. It'll save you some money.

[locodrftr]

The more the better, sometimes its better to have more then one 3/8" ratchet or 1/2" ratchet,well at least thats what i think,same goes with wrenches,i would suggest trying to get six point stuff instead of twelve point,the only twelve points i think are for flywheel bolts and oil squirters....and twelve always seem to slip and round bolt heads.They do come in handy in tight spaces though. Best to buy as much as u can when u got the cash otherwise when u start buying parts and spending all your money and realize u dont have to tools to install you regret not getting the damn tool when u had money.lol

[nassin31spr]

Spend the money and get one of the bigger sets that craftsman has to offer. 300 and up. If you work on more than just nissans than you need all the tools you can get. Its a great set to start with and build off from.

[nrg]

man, you dont need that many tools.
wait for the sears tool deal. they have them every other month. a retail value $120 tool kit would be on sale for like 69.99. huge 1/2 torque wrench would be 34 bucks.
The only tools you need are:
metric tools, 3/8 drive socket set with ratchet, different size of extension. 3/8 deep socket set, 1/4 drive socket set with ratchet, extension is a plus. 1/2 drive socket set with ratchet and some extension. 1/2 breaker bar, 1/2 torque wrench. 8mm to 24mm n-wrenches, assorted screw driver set.
extra 1/2 sockets of: 27mm(crank nut) 32mm (axle nut) 34mm(axle nut) 36mm (axle nut), 22mm deep socket (lug nuts)

[davidrools]

I generally agree with what everyone else is saying. I worked as a mechanic for a few years so I've spent a few thousand dollars on tools. This is just my $.02

I highly recommend mid-depth sockets. They are the ones I always use. I rarely shallow sockets (only when there is no space) and hardly ever use deep sockets. Get a set in 3/8" drive and a good 3/8" drive ratchet. I also suggest an extra long 3/8" drive ratchet to make breaking bolts easier. (sears #44833)

A set of long nose pliers is super helpful for hose clamps, hoses, and other little things (search for #30429 for the cheap ones)

A good set of combination wrenches. 8mm-19mm. A lot of sets leave off the 8mm and the 19 and maybe 17mm. I would avoid ratcheting box end wrenches to start. A lot of times they can't fit onto fasteners because they're too big. Also, they're not as strong for breaking bolts loose.

#1 and #2 philips and a slotted screwdriver, of course.

a large, 36" prybar is a very good investment that you can use for tensioning belts, separating suspension arms, etc.

and of course..the FSM that will help you to know what to do with all those tools.

These tools alone will get you far and let you do most things under the hood. You'll soon find that there are a lot of other tools necessary to do certain things on a vehicle, and others that just make things a whole lot easier.

For example, to do your brakes you'll need a 21mm tire iron (or impact wrench and socket) to take the wheels off, and a 1/2" drive torque wrench and socket to put them back on correctly. An impact screwdriver to remove the screw on the rotor, a hammer to loosen the rotor. A brake pad spreader or huge channel lock pliers to push the piston in to make room for new pads/rotors. a flare-nut wrench for bleeding the brakes, as well as some tubing and some kind of catch can so you don't make a mess.

But for now, start simple and build as you need. If you're ever not sure what tool to use for a certain job, we're here for ya :)

[CA18_S13]

I would get like a good 100 plus piece tool set and may be some longer extensions then what comes with a standard set. Impact sockets and may be a cordless impact gun if you have or plan on getting wheels. Low pro jack is good if you plan on lowering. A multimeter for all those random things where you want to check electrical when it acts up. I generally agree you might not need them right away but it sucks when you need something and you could have gotten the bigger better set with stuff you might need later on so it pays off.

[nassin31spr]

Small tool sets for small jobs. Big tool sets for big jobs.