Tools to maintain my Chim at home?

[jazzdude]

Although I have a small 3/8 drive metric socket set, an old 1/2 AF set and a full range of standard combination spanners, mole grips and adjustable spanners, I have read recommendations for the Halfords 150 Pro set, is this enough to cover all the spanners and sockets I need in one place or is it worth getting the bigger set? Should I also budget for a full set of adjustable head ratchet spanners or is that overkill?

What kind of jack and axle stands should I get that is suitable for occasional home use? How high is practical to do, say, chassis rub down maintenance? Is one of those trays you lay on, on wheels, worth getting?

My first job will be to refurb the wishbones, take them off, strip them, recoat them, change the bushes and clean up the ball joints and track rods. I will then do the rest of the chassis I can get at, which is in great shape but just looking a little tatty.

I know you can never have enough tools but I want to be realistic so will I need anything else?

[jazzdude]

Yes I saw that ad, but not possible to pick that lot up from here

For the jack, did you mean this?

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-work...

What height axle stands would you recommend?

[jazzdude]

FoxTVR430 said:

Hi Jazzdude

I have also the Halfords Socket set and that is good, but it did not have the 8mm 12 sided long socket needed for the rocker covers. I bought that seperately. (also Halfords)
On the Axel stands I bought these from this site very happy with them

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/ax...

You do need to raise the car quiet high to get them under, but I think that is the same for all Axel stands

That site seems cheaper than Halfords for similar items. They have a low jack with 4 axle stands for under £60!

Their creepers and impact drivers also seem cheaper.

[jazzdude]

Ok, I managed to get a jack from a garage and have bought the socket set.

What size impact wrench should I get for the suspension job? I have a compressor and have found kits like this http://www.sgs-engineering.com/sat103k-air-impact-...

Will this work or will I need to spend a lot more on a more professional one? I have also seen mechanics using small cordless impact drills for socket work, which would speed things up I would have thought, but if there is a tool that can do both then for the use it is going to get then it would be ideal.

[jazzdude]

Pupp said:

Windy gun for suspension rebuild? I wouldn't bother... it's tight enough just getting a spanner or socket on most of the fasteners, let alone a big lump like that. There's nowt that will be that tight either - just get some Plusgas

I had to do the front upper wishbone for the MOT as the bushes where shot, one bolt took 5 minutes, the other 3 hours. The bolt had glued itself to the bush inner and I had to cut it off from the engine bay with a pneumatic hacksaw. Just hoping the impact wrench would shock the bolts off as there are a lot of them.

[jazzdude]

A metric set is fine for nearly everything on the car.

For the exhaust manifolds, depending on what bolts you have you will need a variety of short and long spanners of the bolt size as access to all of them with only one spanner is difficult. For instance, mine has ARP bolts which are 3/8" and I use straight, cranked and S-shaped to get at them. The standard bolts are 9/16" and it is not easy to use ratchet spanners on those.

[jazzdude]

..and soak with plenty of liquid wrench or whatever nut loosening spray you have to hand.

You could take all of the bolts off in one day, or one day to take off just one bolt.