I want to start working on my integra, but i don't have any tools. My car is sitting in my garage and I have tons of stuff to install (bars, exhaust, rims). What tool set should I buy/ what other things should I buy to be able to install these parts and other parts without having to go to a shop.

 

mugen tools ($$$)

 

Please, you can't actually be serious about buying that Mugen tool set.

Go get some Snap-on or Facom pieces.

Warren

 

Get a good socket set, definately a must. Just go to home depot and look at the sets they sell, they are good and not too expensive.

Also get a set of flare wrenches, those come in very handy.

Then, just stick with that and expand as needed.

 

Start here...

http://www.helminc.com

Then, buy some Craftsman stuff from your local Sears

 

I only have the following tools and have done all the basic bolt-on stuff (i/h/e, springs, sway bar, etc.)

0. Helms manual ($60)
1. k-mart special 2-1/2 ton jack ($30)
2. 2-1/2 ton jackstands ($10)
3. 50-piece tool "set" at some hardware store purchase in '94 ($20)
4. Bought several extra deep sockets as needed (~$30)
5. Torque wrench ($60)
6. 2-gallon Fast Orange ($15)

Total: ~$225 to date.

 

might want to get a valve adjustment tool from snapon.com and
Feeler gauges which you can find at PEPBOYS

oh yeah, the acura electrical manual comes in handy


[Modified by 98401R, 4:19 PM 5/13/2002]

 

The essentials:

32mm - axle nut
19mm deep socket - lugnuts, crank pulley
17mm - engine oil drain bolt/tranny fill bolt, a couple of suspension pieces
14mm deepsocket - rear strut bar, other suspension bolts (majority are this size)
12mm
12mm 12pt - flywheel bolts
10mm
8mm
3/8" ratchet
6" extension
universal joint
Torque wrench (up to 80 lb*ft)
Oil Filter Wrench
Oil drain pan
1/2" drive Electric impact wrench
1/2" drive 14mm, 17mm, 19mm impact wrench sockets
screwdriver bit adapter for 1/2" drive impact wrench
BFH or BFBW or wooden mallet
bench press (I really want one of these)
Feeler gauges
spark plug gap gauge
ball joint popper (or whatever other inventive way people have figured out)
Honda bond
Teflon tape
anti-seize lubricant
lithium grease
Compression gauge
I know there's lots of other stuff on the tool wish list.

 

Great List! I have most of those and have gotten by perfectly fine.

Don't forget breaker bar, multiple drive sizes for each socket (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) And you can never have too many extensions. Voltmeter is indispensible when you need it. Crow bars and pry bars are great too.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't mess around with K-Mart tools, or Home Depot tools. While they all work, I don't prefer them. My recomendation would be to get a good base set of Craftsman tools from Sears. They make a Metric start kit basically, that has like 300 pieces or something. That'll get you wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screw drivers, hex keys, most all of the good stuff. As you need more specific tools, then fill in with Snap-On stuff, if you can afford it, or Craftsman. A small tool chest really is nice too. It keeps your tools in better condition, and saves you a lot of time for trying to find stuff. Nothing worse than digging through a tool bag looking for a 10mm...

 

If you have the money, get either all snap on tools or craftsman. I have both sets and they are great. I use to have some taiwan wrenches but they always slipped, causing my knuckles to get mashed

 

Basic crafstman should be fine as a starter set for under $200.

 

Facom ratchets are the bomb. A set of Craftsman metric sockets and a decent ratchet will get you a long way.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....2010&SKU=FJ161

 

Snap-On

 

I love my snap on tools, but for the money, I think Craftsman is just as good. I actually prefer the Craftsman sockets and ratchets over the Snap On's. Wrenches, Snap On flank drive. Screw drivers, toss up.

It's a very good point that thangdovu made. Cheap tools break. They may not break soon, or ever, but for the most part they do. Nothing worse than having a socket break, and then not only bashing your knuckles, but rounding the head of a bolt or nut.

If you get an impact wrench like someone said, do not use regular sockets, get a set of impact sockets. Very important.

 

I bought a nice set like 2 years ago before i was even into cars. It is very nice to have the right tool all the time. Just dont buy cheap tools, or you will regret it buying new ones as the break. A decent set will have everything you need. The only other **** you will to buy are some screwdrivers, rachect wrenches, pliers, and a nice breaker bar.

I got this craftsman set for like 150. It retails for 200 now. It comes with a case and 1/4, 3/8/ and 1/2 rachects, short and deep sockets. And a nice set of wrenches. I have done all my work on my car with this set and many swaps too.






[Modified by Big Teggie, 2:24 PM 5/13/2002]

 

Yeah. I like the big Craftsman sets too...I made the mistake of buying a few tools at a time. Shoulda just bought the whole thing b/c sometimes a bigger ratchet comes in handy so you don't need to slap a breaker bar on a smaller one or hit it with a mallet or brick.

 

Another good point. Do not piece a set togheter of just stuff you need. Yes, if you buy the big set, you'll be getting tools you don't really need, however adventually, you will need them down the line somewhere. It NEVER hurts to have too many tools... Plus you'll save a heck of a lot of money!

 

Yup yup! Go Craftsman all the way, Craftsman tools rule! I have a small socket set from them, right now saving up for their huge mechanics set. $1000 worth of sockets etc!

 

thanks guys, this really helped out alot

 

There are several things in life a guy should never do--one of those is to buy cheap tools.

Snap-on stuff is top-shelf, but it is also expensive. I have a good mix of tools, but 90% of them are Craftsman. The other misc. tools are snap-on and husky.

Craftsman = good prices and good quality. Plus, you break a tool, you can take it back to Sears, with no receipt, and they will replace it on the spot. Snap-on is the same way, but unless you can catch the little truck running around, it is harder to get things replaced.

I agree with the others. Get the Craftsman metric starter set and go from there.

 

When you get a socket set, don't get the multi-sided star ones. Get the 6 sided socket sets.

-Tommy who stripped 2 bolts this weekend using the multi-sided star sockets.

 

The Craftsman tool set that is pictured above was the same set that I did my first swap with about 6-7 years ago. The only additional tools that I used were some pliers, screwdrivers, and a 32mm 1/2" drive socket. That is all you will need to do almost all work on our cars.

-kenji