What tools to get?

[wisejason]

I've got to get a torque wrench for fitting my DBM and whilst there I thought it might be useful to get other tools that I'll need for general tweaking/servicing of my LC - but what ones?

Torx bits (security/tamper ones) - but what are the common sizes or one off's on an LC?
Sealy SX107/Draper HDPK1 for sump/box drain bolts - which ones best or avoid and get the M16 dealer one?
Hook nose needle pliers - for fuel filter removal?
Oil filter strap/cup - can you get a strap in or does a cup work better?

If any of the above are wrong or you guys can think of other tools/bits that are really useful I'd be very interested.

Thanks in advance...

 

[james walker]

buy a good impact wrench mate, itll be the best thing you ever bought, i changed all 4 suspension struts in 1.5 hrs on the mother in laws mk4 golf

an assortment of sockets, including 16mm which is an uncommon size

some mole grip pliers are useful
go for a oil filter strap tbh mate, i have both and the strap is useful for other cars

some decent spanners
impact screwdriver is a good one

decent axle stands and trolley jack

rubber mallet

variety of allen keys, 7mm is the most useful
a led light of some sorts

and some circlip pliers

loads to buy but most can be had cheaply

 

[wisejason]

cheers james...

Its been a few years since I've serviced cars and looking at my tool box most of the useful and most used tools have walked. I've lost some, the kids have and the brother in law.

Want to make sure I get most of the tools for the LC up front - nothing worse than having to stop half way through and rush round trying to find XYorZ.

 

[james walker]

yeah im with you on that, costly at first but worth it in the long run

fyi, the impact wrench i got is a rolson jobby from maplin, 2 batteries, changed all bolts no problem, impacted them strait off tbh.

best £69.99 i have ever spent.

oh add some decent gloves to that list aswell, saves your hands and sanity

 

[Feel]

One of those flexible hose drivers.

T25, T27 and T30 I think.

 

[james walker]

flexible hose driver???

 

[godber225r]

One of those flexible hose drivers.

T25, T27 and T30 I think.

He might of ment brake hose spanners???

 

[Feel]

Something like:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=120886

Although that one's a bit loooong.

 

[Rocky Rocastle]

I've got to get a torque wrench for fitting my DBM and whilst there I thought it might be useful to get other tools that I'll need for general tweaking/servicing of my LC - but what ones?

Torx bits (security/tamper ones) - but what are the common sizes or one off's on an LC?
Sealy SX107/Draper HDPK1 for sump/box drain bolts - which ones best or avoid and get the M16 dealer one?
Hook nose needle pliers - for fuel filter removal?
Oil filter strap/cup - can you get a strap in or does a cup work better?

If any of the above are wrong or you guys can think of other tools/bits that are really useful I'd be very interested.

Thanks in advance...

We have a BMW locking wheel nut that serves exactly the same purpose as this

 

[wisejason]

yeah im with you on that, costly at first but worth it in the long run

fyi, the impact wrench i got is a rolson jobby from maplin, 2 batteries, changed all bolts no problem, impacted them strait off tbh.

best £69.99 i have ever spent.

oh add some decent gloves to that list aswell, saves your hands and sanity

Thanks James added to the list...

One of those flexible hose drivers.

T25, T27 and T30 I think.

Thanks for the sizes and good call on the flexi driver, should come in handy when doing the loer clip on the TIP.

We have a BMW locking wheel nut that serves exactly the same purpose as this

...Hhhmmm... the bloke next door has two BMW's...

 

[JamesL]

get a decent socket and adaptor set, if you're doing mechanical sort of work you will be using this frequently and a crap set will round off/snap easily.

 

[wisejason]

get a decent socket and adaptor set, if you're doing mechanical sort of work you will be using this frequently and a crap set will round off/snap easily.

thanks JamesL... popping down to halfords tomorrow to check out some of the professional range.

 

[Damoegan]

the halfords professional stuff is actually quite good and i think you get a good warrenty with them. A multimeter is also very handy too.

 

[wisejason]

the halfords professional stuff is actually quite good and i think you get a good warrenty with them. A multimeter is also very handy too.

came across the father-in-laws multimeter in the garage yesterday.

 

[JamesL]

I have also heard good things about their professional range - think they are lifetime warranty, but no one I know has ever had to use the warranty because the tools have been that good!

 

[Markyboyt]

I have also heard good things about their professional range - think they are lifetime warranty, but no one I know has ever had to use the warranty because the tools have been that good!

Ive had a few of the professional range tools, mainly because they are so much cheaper than snap on, I have had a few tx sockets snap and the ratchets in the spanners go quite easy too. I would imagine that ratchet mechanisms are down as wear and tear so not covered.

 

[Richie-LCR]

do your best to find a socket set that has sockets with 6 points rather than 12 points or whatever it is, multipoint sockets are more prone to slipping

halfords professional range is very good imo other than that the socket sets all seem to use multipoint sockets, i have a set of the ratchet spanners which are VERY handy and are down to £40 in my local store so defo have a look at those

main thing is to spend as much as you can cos it will work out better in the long run

 

[Seat Adam]

Yeah the Halfords Professional stuff is Snap-On, jus Halfords pay to have their name on it. Wurth do the same sort of thing. Good thing with Halfords stuff is it has the same life time warranty as Snap-On. My mate has the screwdriver set though and said it was chocolate stuff. He's also had 3 or 4 jacks from them as they have given up.
If you're getting an impact wrench, don't forget your impact sockets, preferably single hex ones, (only 6 sides instead of 12), mine have done me wonders. I've got Kennedy tools.

 

[Willie]

As above plus a big assed breaker bar with the same drive as your socket set.
If you can get a socket set with spark plug sockets aswell for the strutts.
allen key headed sockets/torx bits.
If in halfords get the Laser 14 splined 72mm oil filter removal tool, save hours trying to get the filter off and only £15 ish

 

[Markyboyt]

Yeah the Halfords Professional stuff is Snap-On, jus Halfords pay to have their name on it. Wurth do the same sort of thing. Good thing with Halfords stuff is it has the same life time warranty as Snap-On. My mate has the screwdriver set though and said it was chocolate stuff. He's also had 3 or 4 jacks from them as they have given up.
If you're getting an impact wrench, don't forget your impact sockets, preferably single hex ones, (only 6 sides instead of 12), mine have done me wonders. I've got Kennedy tools.

Id be very surprised if the Halfords tools were Snap On or even Blue Point, the reason I say that is the Halfords range are of an inferior quality to either. The hex and tx sockets aren't quite as good a fit and are noticably less robust than Snap On equivalents, Also the general sockets arent as strong or snug fitting as Snap On, likewise with the spanners.

For DIY use however the Halfords range is perfectly adequate and some less used items are also good for commercial use.

There is also a lot of rumours regarding who makes Halfords tools, just a quick internet search highlights Sykes Pickavant and Tool Tech. I think that its actually more a case of various companies make tools for Snap On and the same companies may make the same tools for Halfords, People wrongly interpret this as meaning they are the same tools.

Just to clear up, I dont have anything against the Halfords range of tools and still buy them to replace my Snap On stuff sometimes if i'm passing Halfords. I'm a buggar for losing tools so then the lifetime warranty makes no odds anyway lol.

I would also agree with what others have said about 6 point sockets being less likely to slip and round off, also if a nut or bolt does round off then a good hammer and the next size down socket can quite often do the trick (obviously on something like a tx or allen socket the next size up) but be careful using hammers around soft or thin metal