What are most common metric sizes on P-cars

[Hendog]

I have to buy some wrenches tonight. Specifically for the oil pipe banjo bolt on the 87 Carrera chain tensioner supply line. What size is this?

I'm a limited DIYourselfer. My work will encompass brakes, oil changes and valve adjustments. I have some tools but could use new ones. Yes, I have a Motive pressure bleeder, soon to be put to it's first use.

Instead of listing various tools, how about listing common sizes encountered. I'm going to buy a 4-piece wrench set including 10, 12,13,14 mm or 7-piece which adds 15,17,19 mm. Will I encounter the last three sizes?

Thanks for entertaining yet another tool related question.

[CarreraS2]

Yes, 15, 17 and 19 are very common on a Porsche - you gotta have 'em.

[911mot]

8,10,13,15,17 for nuts and bolts
6mm, 8mm 17mm for allen keys
Best to add another 13mm spanner that is has different length/ angle to the one you've got. You will always come across a nut you can't get to somwhere with just the one style of spanner.

[Rick Lee]

Agree with those guys. The one I use most often is a 19mm deep socket for wheel lugs. You should get every version of these sizes - deep impact sockets, regular short sockets, offset wrenches, open end, hex sockets, hex keys and even a cheap set of ratcheting box wrenches. I think 13mm is probably the most common on a 911, followed my 10mm. You'll need a 24mm (I think) for the fan pulley and 36mm for some of the hard oil lines. Pretty sure 36mm is the biggest one on a Porsche.

[Wil Ferch]

10mm and 13mm somehow work for 80% of all fasteners in all cars ( metric)....

Wil

[steve911]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
10mm and 13mm somehow work for 80% of all fasteners in all cars ( metric)....

Wil

LOL - I'd swear this was 95%+ for the VW bugs in my youth.

And I agree with Rick Lee - can't have enough different versions of the same size.

27MM for the steering wheel nut.

[B D]

I would recommend buying a set package of tools to start with if you don't have a good start. Craftsman has sets that range in price from $50 to thousands. You can get a nice set in the $200 - 300 range that will save you both time and money in the long run. And there guaranteed for life. Look at the individual prices and you will see how cheap these sets are.

Example under $200: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00933246000

[Argeo]

I agree with 8, through 19 being the most popular. Some reason I find that size 8's are always in the worst spots. I would recommend one of those closed end 8mm wrench with an internal ratchet as a must have though I don't have one but do dream of one someday.

[Neilk]

Originally posted by Argeo
I would recommend one of those closed end 8mm wrench with an internal ratchet as a must have though I don't have one but do dream of one someday.

I have been using some of my restorer's tools. I always thought those internal racchet wrenches were a gimmick until I got to use one. They are great. Just a little too $$$ to get a whole set.

[VaSteve]

The more tools you have the more stuff you'll want to do. I have a whole set of Craftsman wrenchs running fromo 7mm to 18mm. I had to add a 19mm for the fuel filter. I have a stubby set as well. And an offset set of 5 from 8mm 17mm and a set of nice ratcheting ones from 8mm to 18mm (skips a couple).

Then there's all the other fun stuff, sockets, extensions, wobble extensions, 3 torque wrenchs, etc etc.

Buy good tools and they will last a lifetime.

I buy stuff and then find a use for it. I found a set of 3 cheapo tin snips. Now I need to make something with that!

[Joe Bob]

don't forget, 27 and 30mm

[jluetjen]

This thread reminds me of an interesting concept I heard about once. Most designers try to design everything so that it is "just right". The extreme case is a design that it is 100% custom because the designer chose not to use any off-the-shelf components. An interesting alternative is when some designers design things they make a concious effort to minimize the number of part numbers in the design to simplify manufacturability. I thought that it was an interesting concept until I started to work on the Mazda 323 that I used to race. I almost never had to use an even sized wrench if my memory is correct. Just about every nut used the was either 7, 9, 11, 13, 15mm and so on.

A very clever idea.

[norustscott]

36mm axle and flywheel nuts and a 17mm allen....ahh bugs.

[Vipergrün]

Cannot remember, is the shock bolt a 22mm or 27mm........

[jyl]

Presumably you'll get sockets too? Working with just wrenches is a pain, IMO. When/if you do, I find that a stubby ratchet comes in very handy more often than one would think. I never had any use for one until I got a 911.

[Hendog]

Originally posted by jyl
Presumably you'll get sockets too? Working with just wrenches is a pain, IMO. When/if you do, I find that a stubby ratchet comes in very handy more often than one would think. I never had any use for one until I got a 911.

I do have some tools already as I said; deep sockets I have, as well as some "regular" sockets (I'm not well versed in tool language) and el cheapo socket sets, some standard wrenches, standard nut drivers, floor jack and stands, Porsche jack pad. 11mm hex (if memory serves) for transmission plugs (recently changed oil).

I'll want some kind of torque wrench for the valve cover nuts; any suggestions in terms of the size of the tool? I suspect I'll want something small to get into tight spaces. What is the torque spec for those nuts?

[JeremyD]

Brakes? get a set of metric flare wrenches... And if you have a complete tool pouch - note the sizes of the wrenches in there and make sure you have corresponding sockets...

[JeremyD]

I also got a set of cheap harbor freight sockets so if I have to cut one up - I'm not going to cry about it... and make sure you have a long handle 17mm wrench...

[Hendog]

Originally posted by Jeremy964
Brakes? get a set of metric flare wrenches... And if you have a complete tool pouch - note the sizes of the wrenches in there and make sure you have corresponding sockets...

Yep, flares are on the list.

[randywebb]

I wouldn't bother to torque the valve cover nuts - as long as your wrist is not "iron" you don't need it.

You SHOULD use a torque wrench on the wheel lug nuts - a 1/2" drive type is the right size - search to get opinions on type & brand. Anticipate what else you'll do on critical fasteners... engine rebuild? brakes?