Tools for DIY service

Evolving

About to undertake my first DIY service in the next week or so in preparation for an upcoming NCT.
So far plan to change:
Oil
Oil filter
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Spark plugs
Coolant
as well as checking the condition of other bits and pieces on the car, fixing a few small niggly issues and giving the car a good clean inside and out.
Apart from the pieces mentioned above, plus a pair of axle stands, jack, wheel chocks and a headtorch, what hand tools should I be looking at getting?

I`v read I might need a socket set with a ratchet, a spark plug socket, a torque wrench, and an oil filter wrench? What sizes of these should I be looking at getting? The choices and price range seem quite big so I`m not sure which exactly I need.
I unfortunately don`t have a Haynes manual to consult as I own a 1997 Toyota Starlet.

biko

Oil filter wrench
http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/SID-6FAF15A2-D4F66120/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_18183.htm

Handy but not necessary
http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/SID-6FAF15A2-D4F66120/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_18170.htm

Jack, you'll need two stands too
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_20434.htm

Socket set for oil plug, and a hundred other uses around the house and car.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/7001868/Trail/searchtext%3ETOOLS.htm
Might get cheaper somewhere else, shop around.

Padraig Mor

Socket set and screwdriver set will cover 95% of what you need - and cheap ones will do the job just fine for now at least. Lidl have spark plug wrenches next Monday for €6, or you can just get a socket extension and the appropriate socket size. They also have an oil filter wrench for the same price. Depending on how often you need to service and the oil filter itself, it may be handier to get an appropriate 'cup' filter socket that will attach to your wrench. Can get cheap ones on eBay. Don't think a torque wrench is really necessary starting out. Oh, and get a torch!

Farmer Pudsey

Socket set, screwdrivers, try to pick up fairly good tools over time not real expensive one no need for a oil filter Wrench I have broken them to often Big flat head plain screwdriver drive it through filter if it will not come off and twist Plastic disposable gloves if you can get them( or wifes washing up gloves) 20-25 litre drum cut in half lenght ways through opening makes a good waste tray easy to move under car cut it through handle and spout. another drum to keep oil in until you dispose of it.

If you are buying a trolly jack keep away from the cheap 2 tonne models buy a 3 tonne jack out of a Motor factors they are often doing offer for draper/sealy one's I got one with two jacks for 140 euro last year. However a pair of ramps are all you need at present you should be able to get these for 50 euros. I cannot stress enough about keeping away from the 2 tonne jacks enough they are highly dangerous they are not really up to lifting cars. If the car is too low to go onto ramps put 3" bricks in front of wheels.
I saw a fellow useing two 4-5" thiick bits of wood 4 foot long he jacked up the car with his own jack and put them under the front wheels worked a treat and drovem them off it after wards

CJhaughey

I think for general use a 3/8 socket set would be fine for most stuff, if you are going to go at bigger stuff like suspension then a 1/2" set would be needed.
For general handiness 3/8 is about right for most cars.
An oil filter wrench, strap type that fits the socket set and you can use a long extension to keep your hand away from the hot manifold.
Magnetic wand for getting the sump plug back when you drop it into the hot oil.
New copper washer for the sump plug.
I wouldn't bother replacing the fuel filter, petrol ones are generally spotless if you cut them open unlike diesel ones!
Ramps are the handiest for oil service, but for removing wheels etc you'll need stands.
I would also recommend getting a cardboard fridge box from an appliance store and use this as a semi disposable mat to lie on and absorb any oil spills before they make a mess, get one that has double walls they are thicker and more absorbent.

Not essential but handy to have.
Tube of grease
Oil can with thumb trigger.
Funnel

kkelly77

I got my first socket/tool kit from Argos for IRL£30 (<--- yes, that's how long ago ) and it lasted me up to last year, when I treated myself to a Halfords Professional set. Actually, my old kit is still operational. I just wanted something new a shiney.

I would recommend getting a torque wrench as there are torque specifications for spark plugs, oil sump bolt etc. Again, my Argos torque wrench I bought years ago is still going. I'd also recommend an oil filter socket like THIS. There are different sizes but no doubt where ever you buy your oil filter will sell oil filter sockets too. Other basic tools like screwdriver set (Philips, torx and flat head) are a must. And of course, a jack and axle stands.

Let us know how you get on or if you need any help/advice.

mobfromcork

If you're going to spend a few quid on tools, I got this set

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_177693_langId_-1_categoryId_212410#tab3

a few years ago from Halfords. It's on half price offer at the moment. I've used it a good bit to works on cars and motorbikes and it was always up to any job. Lifetime guarantee on all parts as well as far as I know. You definitely don't need all the sockets in there but there is nothing more frustrating than if you are half-way through a job and need to open something and you don't have the correct socket/attachment for it. I reckon i've used most of the metric ones at this stage.

eringobragh

have the €19 euro long aldi/ratchet set in my boot the whole time....had to replace the actual ratchet bent it badly removing an exhaust bolt...got a rok one in atlantic for 15 nearly the price of the set but its good quality

Since then I picked up the pro powerfix 96 piece set a few years ago (still have all the pieces )) for 50 yoyos in LIDL.

Same as this:



If you see this in LIDL again...grab a set..serious good quality for the money.

biko

I got a "workforce"? set in Aldi ages ago, still going strong.

CJhaughey

You can get a really comprehensive 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" set from Louis for 100 +10 postage.
It even has the Torx Female bits which aren't common but a pain to get when you need them.
http://www.louis.de/_20c1cfa13482bb5601e024d2a57898c79d/index.php?topic=artnr_gr&article_context=detail&grwgr=370&wgr=461&list_total=20&anzeige=0&artnr_gr=10003583

Evolving

Thanks for all the advice so far...
I want to get the remaining tools this coming week as I will service the car next weekend so can`t wait for ALDI/LIDL sets to come in.

So far this for €58...
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/7001868/Trail/searchtext%3ETOOLS.htm

or this for €112.50(with the 10% off Groupschemes discount)...
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_177693_langId_-1_categoryId_212410#tab1

or this for €54(with the 10% off Groupschemes discount)...
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_241771_langId_-1_categoryId_212410#tab1

or this for €35(with the 10% off Groupschemes discount)...
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_818471_langId_-1_categoryId_212410#tab1

All of the Halfords sets come with lifetime guarantee so I`m leaning towards them. Is the pricier Halfords set worth double the €54 Halfords one for the extra spanners, 1/2" drive and sockets and screwdriver bits?

Also, what about either of these Torque Wrenches:
http://www.micksgarage.ie/proddetails.aspx?pid=1145078&pk=1BCE8

or
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/7004243/Trail/searchtext%3ETORQUE.htm

The argos one is slightly cheaper and has range 28 - 210Nm but only 1 year guarantee while the AmPro one has range 26-110Nm but lifetime guarantee.
I`d like to be able to use a torque wrench for wheel nuts, oil sump bolt, transmission drain and filler bolt and whatever else needs doing along the way.

eringobragh

coincidentally socket set is back...24th feb

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/SID-01BF2D16-6916039D/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_18328.htm

Evolving

Interesting. What`s the spec of it if you can remember?
The Lidl site isn`t very informative.

eringobragh

Evolving wrote: »

Interesting. What`s the spec of it if you can remember?
The Lidl site isn`t very informative.

Its a laser rebrand:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3671-94-piece-socket-set

Excellent set for the money

Evolving

Picked that set up today eringobragh, great value for the money.

eringobragh

Evolving wrote: »

Picked that set up today eringobragh, great value for the money.

Good man..was just using it today taking down a projector unit ..have it a couple of years and yet to lose a piece!

Good luck with the DIYing :cool: