Im about to buy some tools just because Im planning to install the suspension...
Im down to the following:

Home Depot - Husky
Lowes - Kobalt
Sears - Craftsman


I dont think I can afford anything more.
I was in Home Depot the other day, and they had like 10 (i think) wrenches in metric for like 30 bucks. I think their stuff is lifetime warrantied too, just like most other decent tools are.

I also need a torque wrench. Lowes has a Kobalt 3/8" Precision Micrometer Torque Wrench 10 Lbs. to 100 Lbs. for like 85 bucks...

Should I get a 3/8 socket or 1/2?

Please, Help, ASAP.

Thanks


[Modified by integra-modder, 11:07 AM 7/25/2002]

 

Craftsman

 

Most of my tools are Craftsman.

 

craftsman ownz!

 

Yeah Craftsman, I bought my 246 piece craftsman set a while ago, along with a craftsman toolchest. Craftsman is one of the very few if not the only "American made" product I enjoy buying

 

Craftsman!!! they make good products and the warranty is great/no hassle... get the 1/2" socket torque wrench and breaker bar.. thats what I have and it's gotten me (and my friends) through many, many installs...

I tried other tools before (harbor freight) and I broken them... I was installing some shocks on my friends camry and I didn't have a socket large enough for the lower steering knuckle bolt.. and she insisted on paying so I thought I'd save her some money.. what a mistake.. I snapped that supposed IMPACT socket using hand tools... ended up buying a Craftsman socket to complete the job...

Summary: Get Craftsman

 

All my tools are craftsman with some snap on sprinkled in. I would highly recommend you go to sears, and buy one of their large multi-piece metric sets, like 300 pieces or so. It's a lot cheaper than buying a set of wrences, then a set of this and a set of that. Save up some money, and just drop it on a big set. You'll be happy. Then when you need a tool, buy it, cause you already have all the basics!

 

 

Get one of the large cased sets of tools at Sears...

You'll spend $100-200 but you'll get everything you need, and then add in a couple of wrench sets or a torque wrench, etc.

 

yea, I think Ill do that...

do you guys think its bad that I bought a 20 dollar set of sockets and a 40 dollar set of wrenches that i will now return to buy the bigger set?

 

Craftsman. I got the 159pc tool set. It has almost everything needed to do a suspension install.

Additional stuff I had to buy were: torque wrench, 10mm wrench (tool set didn't have this. ), converter sockets (like 1/2 drive to 3/8), breaker bar.....and some misc **** I can't remember.

 

At what lbs in my helms should I start torquing? I hear people say not to torque things like valve cover bolts, and lil things. so should i start at like 20? 30 lbs?

 

sears has 12 pc metric set for 24 dollars.

8mm-20 mm covered.

husky for hex wrenches

and spring compressor, just goto pep boys and rent it out for free.

and torque what you want... i did not torque down the suspension except for with my bicep


[Modified by Soup ****, 2:32 AM 7/27/2002]

 

I think you SHOULD do that... it saves you money in the long run to get a bigger set.. since its bundled and WAY cheaper than buying small sets of wrenches here, another set of sockets there, etc.. and buying things separately.. my friend has this I think its 254 pc set which comes in a box and has a couple drawers thats pretty coo.. you can get a 300+ pc set too.. its cheaper (and comes w/ a case) when u buy a large set.. way cheaper than buying small sets here and there.. then still not having a box to store them...

just return your sockets and wrenches.. and get a large set that includes the following.. you'll have most of the stuff you need (ratchets 1/4, 3/8, 1/2.... sockets (deep and shallow) metric and Standard , open end/combination wrecnhes (metric and standard), hex keys, screw driver/driver bits, .. then just get a breaker bar and torque wrench, extensions/adaptors, crows foot and flare nut, needle nose pliers, crimpers, multimeter, soldering iron, jacks, jack stands, and your set for most things... then just buy the specialty tools you need for whatever jobs you need..

I bought things here and there instead of all at once when I was in college.. and when u calculate it.. it ends up costing more than buying 1 big set that includes everything u bought separately...

 

Damn, true that...I have like a bunch of random *** tools that I used like once lol.

In other words, just buy the whole set.

 

what's the difference between a breaker bar and just a regular socket wrench with sockets?? i'm going to be installing my suspension (springs/shocks) soon too and all I have right now is a socket set...what else will i need?

 

just use any pipe that'll fit the end of ur socket wrench.... it enlongates the handle to give u better leverage... it'll help on those nuts that haven't been removed for long periods of time.... l8rz

p.s. and never use husky.... ive broken so many of those it just ain't funny... and i hate that warranty shiet... just use craftsman or snap on if u can afford them....


[Modified by buddha429, 8:43 AM 7/28/2002]

 

FACKK, and it just happens my socket set is Husky

 

i used to work at home depot and bought myself a husky whatever how many tool piece set. Its perfect, strong, and i've run into absolutely NO problems what so ever. I guess its warrantied too.....

 

i use husky...........broke a couple sokets.....not big deal...........only problem now is our local home depot's are clearing out most of their husky tools........kinda weird.........but i like husky...........the wrenches feel nice in your hand which is really important...........

 

got like a 2xx peice craftsman. im very happy...except the screw drivers, i striped the phillips and the torx drivers like the next day. i want a nice stanley set of screw drives. my dad has a few sets. never any probs

 

I use husky, and i like it.

 

SNAP-ON / MAC Tools OWN

 

a breaker bar is a long bar designed to break loose tough to loosen bolts... the longer handle/bar gives you more leverage... you can try to slip a pipe over your existing ratchet to increase leverage but be aware that you might break the ratchet... I've seen a couple ratchets broken this way (by me or friends) so I just use the breaker bar if I can't take it off w/ the shorter ratchet... even though my tools are warrantied for life.. I'd still rather not break tools in the middle of a job when the car is in a lot of pieces...

I've had very few problems w/ Craftsman tools.. I've broken Harbor freight, stanley, and some other tools I can't remember the brand.... I don't have many Husky tools.. but the ones I have have not broken (yet)... I get most of my tools at Sears now.. they are good quality, get me through the job, and if they do break they replace them w/o any hassle...

EDIT: if u can afford it Snap On is great.. pretty pricey though


[Modified by GSRaCeRbOI, 1:06 PM 7/29/2002]

 

the price is holding me back from snap on... craftsman comes out to being a bit over a dollar per tool in their 2xx or 3xx tool sets...