I have an 00 and an 05 lx. I want to start doing some of the maintenance items myself. Id like to replace bushings, change fluids, change brakes and rotors myself. I flushed ahc and replaced all 4 globes myself this summer. dealership quoted almost 4K to refresh my ahc. I did it well under 800. Ive got the wrenching bug now. What kind of tools am I going to need to do your basic 100 maintenance?
Newbie mechanic set of tools for learning to wrench on 100 series (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter halbeezy
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
You will eventually identify the specific tools for the right job down the road but you can start on a basic tool set like this:
Amazon product ASIN B00PXN00BS
Amazon product ASIN B00PXN00BS
Goto your local harbor freight tools and get all metric tools. Use those polished shiny box sockets for light duty botsl/nuts like 10, 12 and 14 mm. I use black hardened impackt grade 6 point sockets for other nuts and bolts. They also offer lifetime warranty on all hand tools. So far only one broke (12+ years of use). Extensions in 1/2 and 3/8 inches. Extendable wrachet, so many to choose from.
I think you'd do better to research each job before hand and buy tools along with parts as you go. You'll never have 'all of them' but its a diminishing returns thing.
That said, I'd start with a jack, jack stands, metric combination wrenches, sockets/ratchet/extensions/torque wrench, Allen head sockets, screwdrivers (JIS/slotted), pliers, wire strippers, electrical tape, a DMM, an OBD2 scanner and build from there. That is more or less what is in my road/trial kit - metric only on all counts for the 100.
I don't recall the 100 using much torx/etorx/triple squares so I'd leave that out. IMO, get fewer and better tools rather than the umpteen thousand piece 'kits' sold at big box. But, that is another way to go and a reasonable place to start if you don't mind outgrowing them.
That said, I'd start with a jack, jack stands, metric combination wrenches, sockets/ratchet/extensions/torque wrench, Allen head sockets, screwdrivers (JIS/slotted), pliers, wire strippers, electrical tape, a DMM, an OBD2 scanner and build from there. That is more or less what is in my road/trial kit - metric only on all counts for the 100.
I don't recall the 100 using much torx/etorx/triple squares so I'd leave that out. IMO, get fewer and better tools rather than the umpteen thousand piece 'kits' sold at big box. But, that is another way to go and a reasonable place to start if you don't mind outgrowing them.
JunkCrzr89
Competent Ignoramoose
You’ll need a floor press and a torch if you plan to do control arm bushings.
Need torx to remove steering wheel, sunroof frame, and a few other things. So yeah, not much stuff.
Wow, this is kind of a rabbit hole. Where to start... All metric everything. I wouldn't take all of this in a tool bag on the road, but this is what I would want to have for starters in the garage:
- x2 sets of combination wrenches (perhaps one short set and one standard length)
- 3/8" ratchet set w/ short and long socket sets (I don't think I've encountered any 12 point hardware on a 100 series, so you can probably stick with 6 point sockets).
- 1/2" ratchet wrench
- 1/2" deep impact socket set
- 3/8" and 1/2" universals and extensions of all sorts of lengths and 1/4" to 3/8" to 1/2" adapters
- 1/2" breaker bar
- hex sockets
- Variety of hammers including a brass and plastic tip hammer
- plastic trim pry tools
- JIS screwdrivers
- variety of pliers including hose clamp pliers
- I would have a variety of torque wrenches (keep in mind that the torque is most accurate mid-adjustment range, so your torque wrenches should overlap in range to avoid using them very near the top or bottom of their range if you can avoid it. THESE WILL BE NEEDED FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU WILL DO.
This set
Amazon product ASIN B00MPQ88RY
and this set
Amazon product ASIN B000LQDB86
Then find a good set of box wrenches and torx and hex you can fix everything.
Amazon product ASIN B00MPQ88RY
and this set
Amazon product ASIN B000LQDB86
Then find a good set of box wrenches and torx and hex you can fix everything.
ooh can't link amazon stuff here
This. That dewalt toolset looks good for starters and you can later just carry it in a car.
For basic tools - I try to buy quality. For one off tools I buy cheap ones (guilty) but if they break and I need it again - I buy good ones. But this is very rare
To add to what everyone is saying regarding sockets: buy a set that is 6 point not 12. 12 point sockets are cheap and easy to make but pay the extra little bit and get a metric 6 point set. It's often the difference between stripping a siezed bolt and breaking it loose.
JunkCrzr89
Competent Ignoramoose
To add just a single tool—a six point box wrench in 12mm size. For the fan clutch nuts that are made of butter.
Amazon product ASIN B00H2W79EO
Amazon product ASIN B00H2W79EO
A lot of specialized tools that you only need for one specific job can often be borrowed free-of-charge (just leave a deposit) from a lot of parts stores (Advance Auto, Carquest, Napa, etc). I go to them for things like ball joint presses, strut compressors, etc. Things that are quite expensive, that I'll probably only use on a given vehicle one time.
Wow. Has no one said a computer with Techstream yet? I still don't have Techstream, and that's going to be one of my next additions.
I haven't gone down the Techstream rabbit hole yet because it seems like a bit of black magic or voodoo is required to get it working, lol.
ramangain
Clarksonian disciple
You need exactly one drawer of tools. Y'all know what's coming .....
I'd crack a beer and start reading here:
www.exploringoverland.com
tools — Overland Tech & Travel — Exploring Overland
www.exploringoverland.com
A length of black iron/lead pipe makes an indestructible breaker bar that slips over ratchet handles, mine is going on 15yrs still undefeated 
