Help with tools.....

[911Brian]

Hi guys...

I was hoping some of you could help me out. My bday is coming up as well as Father's day. I have the basic tools like sockets screw drivers.... . I am new to the Porsche world and would like some advice on common tools needed by the DIYer.

Thanks!

[MotoSook]

a CIS fuel pressure tester (JC Whitney), timing light (Sears or Pelican) for your SC....air compressor, welder, plasma cutter, lift, another 911 ( )

Wayne's books for maintenance and rebuilding, and Wayne's 915 rebuild book...oh wait..he hasn't done that yet

[pwd72s]

Wayne's books both have suggestions for tool lists...also, if you get a Sears tool catalog, they offer an"all metric" set for around $500 that's a pretty good buy, and a great starter set.

[911Brian]

Excellent suggestions! I have Wayne's 101 Projects book and a timing light.. that is about it from that list.

Thanks

[cowtown]

I really like the Gear Wrenches, and I think they would make a great gift (to you ). You can get a set of metric wrenches at Ace for $50.

How about a nice jack?
Tools vary depending what you want to do. A stubby wrench set is nice to have to valve adjustments, etc. Crowfoot wrenches save you once in a while.

If you're talking rebuild, there's an endless line of tools you can buy. Stud removers, torch, P201 engine stand, oil line wrenches...ahhh, tools

[Teutonics]

My favorite "add-on" tools are hex head sockets (allen wrench in a socket) and Gear Wrenches (ratcheting box wrench). Neither are necessities, but they sure are nice to have/use when the opportunity arises.

IMHO, required tools beyond the basics would include torque wrench(es), electrical multimeter, good quality floor jack and jackstands, and a flourescent "drop light". I'm sure there are others as well.

[MotoSook]

Off-set wrenches are great! I bought a 13MM/15MM Craftsman and it probably gets more use than all of the 13MM wrenchs I have.

Also, a 13MM socket on a universal joint...man is that thing great!

Valve adjust tools (the 13MM ofset from Sears works for this too!)

You can get a boat load of tools from Harbor Freight for very little money. But be careful as the quality is a hit opr miss thing. It's neice to have an HF store in your town so you can inspect the tool...they have a list of stores on their webpage...of course you should buy stuff from Wayne too!

And a Pelican DE shirt is mandatory for working in the garage! I have extras left!!

[s_wilwerding]

Originally posted by Teutonics
My favorite "add-on" tools are hex head sockets (allen wrench in a socket)

I'll second that. One of the best tool purchases I've made for the 911 is a set of metric hex sockets. There are so many hex head screws on a 911 and it's so easy to strip them out with handheld hex keys that it's well worth the $50 for a hex set.

[Dantilla]

Don't forget the Band-Aids.

[911Brian]

thanks.. You guys are great. It sounds like a hex set is a common suggestion. I plan on getting a jack and jack stands as well.. I basically want some tools for the basics for now. I hope I don't have to do an engine rebuild any time soon, but I am sure I will have to drop it in the future. I think I may need a new thermostat

Thanks again!

[RickM]

Here's an easy one.......A Motive Pressure bleeder and the proper wrenches to do your brake flushing/bleeding.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/autocat/load_page.cgi?page_number=1&bookmark=3&model=911E&currsection=brakes

[1fastredsc]

If the lady of the house hates it when you wash your hands at "her" sink, then a pack or to of rubber gloves come in real handy.

[Jim Sims]

-1/4 drive swiveling metric sockets from Sears

-torque wrenches; first one to get is the half inch drive 150 ft-lbs unit to properly torque your wheel lug nuts; then a 3/8'drive 75ft-lb unit for smaller fasteners (oil drain plugs, etc.) both from Sears

Soft socket for 911 wheel lug nuts to avoid marring lug nuts.

Big oil drain pan (16 quart).

Floor jack and jack stands (get four jack stands) from Sears

[BGCarrera32]

-Soft socket for lug nuts to avoid scratching them up
-long handled hex keys (not sockets) valuable for tight places like console between the seats
-extra tall jack stands
-flourescent trouble light
-I second the rubber gloves (like blue nitrile type)
-magnetic tipped screwdrivers

[McDaniel]

If you plan on changing your own oil, be careful. It has been
mentioned time and again on this board about how it dosen't
flow...it DUMPS! The regular black oil drain catchers can't handle
the volume. Great suggestion I picked up here is a cheap small
baby inflatable wading pool. Found for $4 at Dollar Store.

[juanbenae]

baby pool full of oil? add a couple of skantly clad hotties and its a beer add from TV....

[304065]

Until Wayne becomes a HAZET Dealer. . . .

www.samstagsales.com

[Bill Douglas]

The only suggestion I can make is what ever tools you buy, select very good quality ones.

[911Brian]

Thanks again! About the oil change.. I found out the hard way... A buddy of mine had a 15 qt pan with a little hole in the top for the oil to drain in. Anyway.. when I got the plug out.... woosh.. man did that stuff dump... well I noticed that the oil was not going down fast enough and then it hit me... the little cap to let air in/escape was still on. I popped that baby off right in time... luckily no oil ever hit the floor but it was sooooooooo close.

[jazzbass]

Things I learned after working on my car for the first time:

1. Germans love allen type bolts. Not sure why, but they do.
2. If there is an inconvienient place to put a bolt head or nut, Porsche has found it.

As a result, I've bought (and used) all of the following since buying my car:

- Allen wrnech sockets. Probably the most bang for the buck tool to get in my list here.

- Set of craftsman "gear wrenches" - the ones where the box end ratchets. I wouldn't give these up for the world.

- Set of crowsfeet wrenches. I remember thinking "what the h*ll would you ever use these for?". I bought a 911, and now I know.

- Set of metric "flex" sockets. The onse where the U joint is built into the socket. They're expensive, but trust me - the first time you need one you'll thank me.

- Motive power bleeder. Everyone who has ever borrowed mine has bought one within a week.

This assumes you have the *normal* auto repair tools like torque wrenches, offset box end wrenches, flare nut wrenches, etc.