Third Gear

Tools, some people should not own tools. Unfortunately, some of us were not endowed with a mechanical ability to diagnose problems and solve them. There is no shame in calling in a professional for help, that is what they are there for. For the rest of us that want to tackle certain jobs, there is a plethora of “tools of the trade.” These tools, in some cases, are our lifeline. I know in the auto mechanic world, having your own set of quality tools is necessary. For do-it-yourselfers however, a $6000 to $20000 dollar tool chest does not fit into the budget. For certified mechanics that is how they make their living. Therefore, if you go into a professional garage you may find that many mechanics have personal tool boxes stocked with their own tools. Some companies provide tools sets, while others do not. I feel It is just better to always have your own stuff rather than borrow from someone else. Boxes range in size, shape and color but all still have the same function. They all hold thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars in tools and equipment. That tends to take up a lot of space and is usually difficult to move around, I have seen people call tow truck companies to provide a “rollback” transport to move their toolboxes from one job site to another.

Fortunately, do-it-yourselfers can accomplish many standard tasks with some basic tools and pieces of equipment that do not take up a full trailer. Here are some examples of the tools that I feel are necessary to preform vehicle preventive maintenance.

A quality mechanics toolset: A mechanics toolset is usually made up of a ½” ratchet and socket set, a 3/8” ratchet and socket set and a ¼” ratchet and socket set. Sometimes it will also have a small Allen key set and or a screwdriver set with various bits or a very small selection of popular sized open-end wrenches.You cannot go wrong with a set that has about 135 pieces. I personally have a 137-pc Craftsman set that is my go to set for 85% of my auto work. Craftsmen is a good brand that has a lifetime warranty on all hand tools. There are many brands out there but it is up to you to choose the right tool for the right job and the right budget. Sometimes you can get away with a cheaper tool, other times you will have to spend a little coin to get what you want or need. Sears and Kmart both stock Craftsmen, Harbor Freight offers a lifetime guarantee on hand tools as well. They have been very competitively priced compared to other providers. I do however strongly feel you get what you pay for, so buyer beware. 

A torque wrench: If you take a fastener off a vehicle, 95% of the time it will need to be properly torqued back on. This is also where good research skill come into play. You should try to find any technical manual for your respective vehicle. You can print diagrams and literature from the internet, or purchase a Haynes or Chilton manual offline or in your local auto parts store. They should provide the required torque for the fastener in question. For those that do not know, a torque wrench is a mechanical device that provides and accurate measure of how much force is being applied to an object in ft.-lbs. or in.-lbs. Usually over a foot in length they can range in price from $10 - $500. Quality is important so again do your research. Many manufactures will include the accuracy of their respective product. Usually shown as (+/- .5 lbs) or the like.

Floor jack and jack stands: In order to get under your car, you will need to raise it up and be able too safely support the weight of the vehicle while you are working on it. Most vehicles come with a convenience jack that should only be used to change a flat tire with the spare in the case of an emergency. If you are going to be using the jack more than a few times a year. I highly recommend getting a 1.5-ton to a 3-ton floor jack. Choose one that will be able to fit underneath the side of your vehicle as it sits with the tires properly inflated. It also needs to be able to raise your vehicle high enough to perform the work that is needed. You will also want to make sure that you are utilizing the proper lifting points as outlined in the owner’s manual or vehicle service manual. If you do not follow safe lifting procedures, serious injury or even death can occur. Cars and trucks are not toys and there should never be any assumptions when it comes to supporting a vehicle. Always use jack stands rated for more than the vehicle GVWR.

Armed with those few items at the ready, anyone can accomplish many preventive tasks outlined in your owner’s manual. Many other incidental items come in handy while working on your vehicles as well. Items like rags and cleaning agents, safety glasses and or hearing protection, gloves and protective clothing and shoes. Various cans of penetrating oil and anti-size will help loosen stubborn bolts and nuts, a radio can really help take care of the silence and a creeper so you can roll instead of crawl across the floor. Remember your phone or a digital camera to take pictures before and during your work. It is always nice to have a reference photo to look back on to make sure you did not miss or forget anything. As a last resort you can always draw what you see and make notes.

It is nice to have your own set of tools. It really gives a sense of self-confidence and independence. It not only helps when you need to work on your vehicles, but they also are handy to have around the house, office or even boat. Whatever your choice is, make sure you do your homework. There are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming. Just remember that when it comes to choosing the right tool, it needs to fit the job and the budget.