Essential tools for self servicing

lordrobs

lordrobs

lordrobs

Soldato
Joined
30 Sep 2003
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Location
Norwich
Well after another let down from a mechanic I think I'm going to make a start doing a few service jobs myself. I dropped my car in for a full service yesterday, knowing that the plugs were over due a change, and it came out having had an oil service with a note saying "plugs and leads?" um, yes... thats why it went in :mad:

Anyway I'll need to start getting a basic tool kit set up. I currently have plenty of screw driver sets, one of these badboys http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...6863_crumb_33958-76859_parentcategoryrn_76863 and some other odds and ends.

In order to do the plugs I'm going to need a torque wrench, I've heard that for the money the £16 ones from Machine Mart will do the trick. What other essentials do I need to start thinking about?

I'm not going to start doing everything overnight but as things come up I think I'll start giving them a punt. Oil changes and other mucky stuff I'll still get done at a garage :p


Finally my mechanic overfilled my oil :rolleyes: its probably got 250 to 300ml too much in there. Will this cause an issue and if so is there an easy way to get some out, via the dip stick perhaps?

TIA
 
Decent jack, axle stands, oil filter wrench (beats messing about with a screwdriver ;))

If that socket set has only 12 sided sockets... get some 6 sided ones aswell.

Oh, a funnel is essential for oil changes. It's no fun trying to fill the car up with oil and spilling half of it onto the exhaust manifold :o
 
Most important tool you can have is another car.

That way you can always pop out to get anything you need halfway through a job.
 
Depending on how deep you want to go into jobs, I'd agree with most of what's already been said (Axle stands, trolley jack, oil filter wrench, socket set, second car or autofactor within walking distance) and add rachet spanners, normal spanners, a good torque wrench, a timing strobe, a laptop with the appropriate software for your car if it's a modern one, and so on.

It depends whether you're talking about just doing your own servicing (oil/water changes and minor maintainance) or all the mechanical work on your car. Never underestimate the usefulness of air tools if you're heading towards the latter if you've got the space.
 
Thanks for the info so far, forgot to say I have a trolley jack and some axle stands.

I also have the trial version of VAG-COM so at least I can find out why the little engine light has come on :p

TBH to start with I just want to do some basics and attempt things as they come up. If I'm not confident with something I'll simply take it to a mechanic to sort. First step is a simple plugs and air filter change that wasn't done on my last service. I just think that my car has lots of "bits" that can go (MAF, Recirc valve, coil pack etc.) and if I can sort them myself, all the better :)

My girlfriends car will be on standby and vice versa when I work on her car.

Oh and I'm already regretting the term "self servicing" :o
 
agw_01 said:
Decent jack, axle stands, oil filter wrench (beats messing about with a screwdriver ;))

If that socket set has only 12 sided sockets... get some 6 sided ones aswell.

Oh, a funnel is essential for oil changes. It's no fun trying to fill the car up with oil and spilling half of it onto the exhaust manifold :o
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But the screwdriver approach is so much more fun. :D

Personally I don't have a problem with filling up oil, don't really make a mess...it's gearbox oil changes that I hate...on the 306 gearbox it's a right pain to fill it up, ended up covered in oil. :(


mattpc said:
latex gloves for the win!
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Pansy.

InvG
 
After spending 3.5 hours changing my rear brake pads at the weekend, I recommend a brake piston retraction tool. Also reading how to do it in the first place helps (3.5 hours to do one side, 10 mins to do the other! doh)
 
Captain Kirk said:
After spending 3.5 hours changing my rear brake pads at the weekend, I recommend a brake piston retraction tool. Also reading how to do it in the first place helps (3.5 hours to do one side, 10 mins to do the other! doh)
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Side of a big fat chisel works to wind them back in ;)
 
InvaderGIR said:
But the screwdriver approach is so much more fun. :D

Personally I don't have a problem with filling up oil, don't really make a mess...it's gearbox oil changes that I hate...on the 306 gearbox it's a right pain to fill it up, ended up covered in oil.
Click to expand...

See, that's one thing I love about my car... gearbox oil changes.

You can fill the gearbox via the speedo drive... so one bolt on top of the gearbox, some flexible tubing and you're away :p
 
I've never bothered with an oil filter wrench. I just kept the cambelt off my old car when I changed it, wrap a loop around a stiff oil filter, squeeze it tight, twist and hey presto. Never had a problem.

:)
 
Axel stands / Trolley Jack / Wheel Chocks / Halfords Pro 150ps socket set / Halford Pro Screwdriver Set / Breaker Bar / Good quality 1/2 & 1/4 Torque wrenches / Halfords Pro 1/2 Breaker Bar / Breaker Bar Extension Tubes etc etc the list goes on!
 
mattpc said:
latex gloves for the win!
Click to expand...

Vinyl gloves for the no alergic reaction:)*




*
the cheap powdered gloves have been known to use bleached nut shells for the powder which is not good, and people can become intolerant to rubber after long exposure
 
Decent torque wrench :)

Drip trays. Decent hydraulic jack (preferably 2). 4 axle stands.

Full set from Halfords professional range should get you started quite well though :) - much like the others have said!

Spare 5l containers for old oil and fluids are also very, very useful. Cat litter to collect spills.

Expensive outlay at first but well worth it as it'll last you for ages and recoup the cost in no time!
 
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