Advice on tools

[codeopp1990]

Looking to see what tools people have used to get some of the more difficult jobs done. I have a little bit of money to spend at the moment and want to get the essential tools without wasting money. one job that specifically comes to mind is loosening or tightening the dp,s. Add links if you can.

[B501S4]

Extensions are your friend for getting up to those bolts. Swivel adaptors are pretty clutch as well. You are going to need some torx bits as a good amount of the heat shields use them which need to be removed to getting to the downpipes. There are write ups for installing DP's and that will give you a good place to start.

[Audibot]

x2. I also like the swiveling ratchets, and ratcheting wrenches as well.

While I cannot specifically comments on the B5s, my B7 requires triple squares (XZN or "spline" as some refer to them) for a few places (e.g., axles to transmission). I bought a good kit on Amazon that had the most common ones, plus some torx bits and hex bits.

Hex sockets are never a bad idea either... and invest in a can of Kroil.

[Austonwerner4]

Full allen, torx, triple square set. Vag-Com.

[codeopp1990]

What about using a Go-Thru Socket Set. I thought that would be a good tool for the dp,s.

[FlyboyS4]

I've found this style mini ratchet to come in handy on a number of occasions.

These from harbor freight for getting hoses loose.

[landfill]

stubby ratcheting box wrenches, swivel sockets, extensions, allen-torx-triple square-12pt.-6pt- sockets short and long
little picks, allen key set, VAG-COM on cheap windows laptop, boost leak tester, crank pin, online bentleys are good,
cam lock bar, clutch alignment tool, 1/2" NM torque wrench, cam tensioner compressor, list goes on. The power bleeder
I recently got accustomed to using it for bleeding the brakes and clutch master/slave cylinders. It's pretty nice to have when
working alone. Also a cheap hydraulic press would be nice for bearings and bushings.

[codeopp1990]

I have one of the mini ratchets as well, It has saved me a few times. As for torque wrenches, i have one but it is too large for most things on an Audi. I dont go crazy making sure everything is to spec but with the axles and dp,s i want to be precise. Post up what you guys have used if you have time.

[Cacti]

Keep in mind you get what you pay for.

[Audibot]

Vag-Com.

THIS

Also known as VCDS.

[Audibot]

What about using a Go-Thru Socket Set. I thought that would be a good tool for the dp,s.

I don't think I've used mine outside of suspension honestly...

online bentleys are good ... The power bleeder I recently got accustomed to using it for bleeding the brakes and clutch master/slave cylinders. It's pretty nice to have when working alone.

How do you manage to use the online Bentley?!? I bought that one accidentally, gave it a whirl, and couldn't find diddly-squat with them. Had to buy the hardcover. What a difference!

Power bleeders do rock!

[Audibot]

Keep in mind you get what you pay for.

...idk, almost everything I've gotten from Harbor Freight has lasted me quiet well.

[hibiscusS4]

Data logging software for the laptops also nice ecux the nef stuff
Hydrolic press makes bearing changes so much easier i love the one i have.
And racheting wrenches
Full allen and tq bits are deffinatly a must though
Id even go as far to say a compressor and small set of impacts for those really tough jobs.
Even though it also doubles as a really good way to blow out the interior of your car when detailing

[landfill]

I guess I described it wrong I bought copy's from a former employer that had all VAG vehicles
but it is also linked to online databases.

[landfill]

@ audibot a lot of people that will talk to you about quality are using this stuff at least 8 hours almost of every day.
The harbor freight might be fine for you but it's because you use them once in awhile. The last shop I worked at
any harbor freight tools would have had a 24 hour lifespan. I use mostly snap-on but even then I've broken plenty
of snap-on tools. Atleast the snap-on truck will get me a new tool within 48 hours. For mid-level or personal car use
tools I'd recommend craftsman tools. They lasted me along time at home and they warrantied any of their stuff without
question.

[Audibot]

@ audibot a lot of people that will talk to you about quality are using this stuff at least 8 hours almost of every day.
The harbor freight might be fine for you but it's because you use them once in awhile. The last shop I worked at
any harbor freight tools would have had a 24 hour lifespan. I use mostly snap-on but even then I've broken plenty
of snap-on tools. Atleast the snap-on truck will get me a new tool within 48 hours. For mid-level or personal car use
tools I'd recommend craftsman tools. They lasted me along time at home and they warrantied any of their stuff without
question.

I don't disagree. I've never been employed at a shop before, and if I owned one, I'm sure I'd have Snap-On tools too.

But as you say, as an infrequent wrench-turner, I cannot justify that price. I was once a Craftsman man, and still have many of their tools from over the years. But between their sometimes ridiculous prices for, say, a single wrench or socket, and more recently switching to making everything in China, it has reduced the difference between them and HF. At this point I have a mess of tools that was, until a few days ago, nicely organized.

The couple HF tools I have broken I've gotten full replacements for by just going back with the receipt, and Craftsman too has that lifetime warranty.

[Samataras]

Crows feet, breaker bar, stubby everything, swivel heads.

I don't buy top of the line stuff, but I don't like buying the cheap stuff. Harbor freight is good for sockets and stuff that really don't have too many moving parts. But I'm not a professional, and I don't use my tools everyday.

I am sure my attitude would be different if I was a mechanic for a living

Edit: my low pro jack from HF has been awesome

[christianb5s4]

Crows feet, breaker bar, stubby everything, swivel heads.

I don't buy top of the line stuff, but I don't like buying the cheap stuff. Harbor freight is good for sockets and stuff that really don't have too many moving parts. But I'm not a professional, and I don't use my tools everyday.

I am sure my attitude would be different if I was a mechanic for a living

Edit: my low pro jack from HF has been awesome

Agreed, my HF low pro jack has been a champ. I have a collection of stuff from various places, I've had 90% positive experiences with HF tools. The only exception being adapters for different size drivers on ratchets and stuff that have sheared off and been replaced multiple times. Got better tools when things broke, kept the HF stuff that hasn't broken and still use until it does.

[Audi_From_Hell]

@ audibot a lot of people that will talk to you about quality are using this stuff at least 8 hours almost of every day.
The harbor freight might be fine for you but it's because you use them once in awhile. The last shop I worked at
any harbor freight tools would have had a 24 hour lifespan. I use mostly snap-on but even then I've broken plenty
of snap-on tools. Atleast the snap-on truck will get me a new tool within 48 hours. For mid-level or personal car use
tools I'd recommend craftsman tools. They lasted me along time at home and they warrantied any of their stuff without
question.

This. Anything that has to have a large load on it, especially sideways, should not be bought from Harbor Freight. There are plenty of things HF is good for though. The 2 ton engine hoist is great and cheap. If the piston ever goes they're pretty easy and cheap to replace. Sockets, wrenches, extensions, etc...don't get from HF. Craftsman or Snap On. Snap on is a bit expensive for the average Joe but craftsman is great because you can walk right into sears, say hey this broke and you're walking out with a new one.

[codeopp1990]

Bought myself a jack from HF, and like stated above i love mine as well. I think mine raises the car 22 inch or something like that.

[codeopp1990]

So looks like im going to get a nice set of torx bits and allen head sockets. Any body bought tools from Ecs or other Audi vendors.

[viceprp]

Go to HF and for $300 you can get about 90% of all the tools you'll need to work on your audi. Pittsburg parts have lifetime warranty.

[chaos2984]

you want a set of swivel sockets. or a nice impact swivel impact so it can't flop all over the place. Extensions are key and nice ratchet. Id look at gear wrench or maybe silver eagle brand. atleast that stuff still has lifetime warranty. Maybe think about a electric impact http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-12...309W/203231789 something like that set is nice to have. Makes working on the car so much easier.

[codeopp1990]

you want a set of swivel sockets. or a nice impact swivel impact so it can't flop all over the place. Extensions are key and nice ratchet. Id look at gear wrench or maybe silver eagle brand. atleast that stuff still has lifetime warranty. Maybe think about a electric impact http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-12...309W/203231789 something like that set is nice to have. Makes working on the car so much easier.

Thats what i need a good electric impact, my work has DeWalt 18volt ones that i have thought about borrowing a time or two. Probably something like this http://www.northerntool.com/images/p..._2000x2000.jpg

[codeopp1990]

What would be the best drive size? the smaller of the two i assume.

[T.pops]

Tax return time!

[viceprp]

Of the three you mean..

3/8 is what I use most. Deep socket and shallow 12pts.
torX bits
Allens (long and short)
swivel 3/8
10mm triple square

I'm missing a lot but I'm drunk.

[codeopp1990]

Thanks, don't think i'm going to even work on the car again until i have a good impact and yeah worded that last one wrong.

[chaos2984]

Thats what i need a good electric impact, my work has DeWalt 18volt ones that i have thought about borrowing a time or two. Probably something like this http://www.northerntool.com/images/p..._2000x2000.jpg

Yea thats a nice one. A guy at work has one. Its good but gets a little bulky at times. Thats where the Makita comes in handy. If you find the right set of makita, it will have a 1/4in and 3/8 in it. This is the one you really want http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LCT319W.../dp/B00NP7RMVU. Comes with both the right ones. And you just have the buy the little 1/4 adapter piece. The will work like a charm on cars. This is what i used working everyday in the dealership world. They are awesome. If they can stand up to everyday use in dealership world they are good for home mechanics. The price is a really good price too. I paid 300 when they first came out. Makes it so much nicer not to have to drag a air hose over your fenders or inside the car.

[viceprp]

https://www.google.com/search?q=bosc...97860088801962
ps41-2

This is what I have. Paid $100 when on sale. Best impact I've used st work. We go through a lot of tools but this one has been my favorite. I bought one to wrench with.

[chaos2984]

https://www.google.com/search?q=bosc...97860088801962
ps41-2

This is what I have. Paid $100 when on sale. Best impact I've used st work. We go through a lot of tools but this one has been my favorite. I bought one to wrench with.

Thats a nice one as well like the dewalt. But at times it can get bulky. Interior work they sux. Its all personal preference i guess. The makita was the first one i bought and it was really good so i just stuck with it. It works on everything car related for the most part. I think it had like 30-40 ft/lbs for the 3/8in

[codeopp1990]

Is there a huge power difference between 12v and 18v.

[T.pops]

I like the Milwaukee 18 v brushless impact that has a three speed variation.

[viceprp]

Little bit more power with the 18v. Thesecond batteries are great bc they will literally go from 100 to 0% in the snap ofva finger. It's a quick fade.

How is the 12v bulky? Far from it.

[Samataras]

I have one of those retriever claws that has helped me out a bunch in tough situations.

I also have a boroscope thing too. I've actually stuffed down the turbo inlet pipe with the retriever claw and checked the turbos for shaft play, it's not easy, but can def be done.

[y3ti]

Wanted to pass on this deal to you guys.

Milwaukee m12 3/8 impact driver fuel kit. (2 batts and charger). With a free 3/8 m12 ratchet.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M...-205044520-_-N

[evilpulse8]

I think you need a little bit of everything(Never hurts to), got myself a good amount of snap-on tools. T handle torx and ratchets with flexheads and swivels with extentions have helped me a lot

[viceprp]

Unless your made if money, don't buy into the hype of snap on. I do recommend a 1/2" 30" breaker bar with deep & shallow sockets. I've never broken a single pitt/Ohio tool yet besides my 3/8 ratchet (before I bought my breaker bar) and reducers (Only the 1/2 to 3/8 on an impact).