I am venturing into the world of DIY car repair and I am in the process of building my essential tool kit. I am hoping to keep the number of tools at a minimum because of space concerns, so I'd love the advice of the experts as to what they know to be absolutely essential.

I'll be doing my first brake job soon, so I suppose that's as good a place as any to start.

So far I've gotten (aside from parts):
jack + 2 jack stands
tire iron

What else? Input is greatly appreciated.

Also, I am going to be painting the calipers and rotor hats while I'm in there, so as a deal sweetener I promise to post pictures.

 

ratchet set

just go buy one of those 120 piece tool kits from walmart as a start and add pieces as you need them

 

go to sears and get a 150pc mechanic tool set..that should start you off..

 

Thanks for the quick and helpful responses guys!

 

Save yourself some time, busted knuckles, and lots of beer by getting a good air compressor with tools, should run you $300-$500 for what you need. you can get a small 30 gallon one on wheels with a 150 piece kit from lowes.

 

after buying a craftsmen 120 piece set, then a 264, I just went out and bought the 290 piece set & a ball bearing workbench to hold it all in. I keep one set of tools in Cali (at school) and another set here at home.

the 290 piece was 299, it comes with something like 87 3/8" drive sockets, and polished professional grade low-profile wrenches. I've used the regular craftsmen ones, and the ratcheting mechanism inside the professional wrench is MUCH nicer.

you're much better off buying a nice kit, because buying single sockets @ a time will bleed you to death. Not to mention, having the right tool for the job makes all the difference in the world.

290 Piece Socket set (300)
set of robogrips (20)
needle nose pliers (20)
gear wrenches (50)
Rhino ramps (30)
Tool cabinet on wheels (150)

I can't tell you the number of people I know who think they're car guys, yet don't own a single socket... boggles my mind.

If this list seems a bit expensive, opt for the 264 piece tool set -- it comes with its own carrying case, and is a bit cheaper... but doesn't have the nice ratchets.

John

 

I live in a fairly small apartment in downtown Houston, so air compressors and rolling toolboxes are definitely not in the cards until the little woman and I get a house.

I went to Sears at about 4pm (before your post Supra) and came home with a 139-piece set. I'm sure it will be good enough for a while, until I develop more discerning tastes.

 

Some very importenent tool you must have in addition to what you already have are:

Imapct driver
Torque wrench
Breaker bar

By the way, the Impact driver is not an air tool or Impact wrench. It is a large screwdriver looking thing that accepts different bits. You wack the back end with a hammer and it helps to loosen rusted or stuck screws without stripping the heads.

 

I second suggestion for the Torque wrench.

 

1. Torque Wrench-i got mine for 29.99 from Tirerack. works great and reads between 0-150lbs/ft.
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/tools/tw605.jsp

2. Breaker Bar-i have this ancient 1" i.d. steel pipe that is heavy as hell and nearly indestructable. you can pick up something similar from homedepot or lowes for prolly <$5 make sure its between 2-2.5ft long and wide enough to fit ur rachet/wrenches.

3. Impact Wrench-not really sure what to buy ehre as i dont have air tools.

4. Small portable AC/DC air compressor. normally found between $20-40 of a generic brand these little buggers are great for filling up flats (with slime of course) and if u get the right ones, blowing stuff clean.