I picked up some tools this weekend so that I can do the basic work to keep from having to take my car to a dealership.

I picked up the following so far:

-137-piece Craftsman Mechanic's Tool set (ratchets, sockets, allen wrenches and wrenches mostly)
-16 piece Craftsman Mechanic's screwdriver set (Flat Head, Phillips, close range flat + phillips)
-11" Vice Grips
-4-piece pick set (has hooks for pulling retaining clips, etc)
-Wire Stripper

Are there any typical tools I need to do the basics? I need to get some sort of universal joint and extender perhaps for pulling spark plugs? Do I have everything needed to strip the interior out for installing sound/heat insulation?

Thanks,

UT-Driven

 

How 'bout some Torx bits and/or sockets. Also, even doing just basic work, you will likely find the need for some quality torque wrenches (for proper torque setting of lug nuts, brake caliper bracket bolts, exhaust flange bolts, etc. just to name a few). You may need several, one or more that measure in lb/ft and the same for lb/in. (Torque screwdrives that measure in lb/in can come in handy too for underdash and interior work.) Just a note though, quality torque wrenches/drivers can be somewhat expensive. Here's the link to some of the C5 torque values that may help you determine your needs for torque wrenches and drivers: C5 Torque Specs

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

yep, torque wrench and torx bits are necessity for working on these things sometimes.

hmm..jacks/jackstands if you don't already have them. I picked up some pretty nice/cheap aluminum jacks from walmart that are the best i've seen for the price.

Sounds like you got a decent start on tools. I've found that a tool chest that rolls around is basically the only way I can keep up with all the tools. That way I can just throw them all in one place and roll it around when I need them

 

Good flash light. Service manual. Leave yourself plenty of time for the task. Need an assortment of bandaids.

 

Flare nut wrenches are nice for brake work, especially if you're doing any work on the hardlines (these may be in your mechanic's set).

Something I have found INDESPENSIBLE is a compressor and an impact wrench. The compressor was ~$150 and the impact wrench $100 from sears. Once having used these, I don't know how I got by without.

 

UT-Driven-
The tool you need is always the one you don't have. I hope your set has a good selection of metric sizes. I would add a set of deep well metric sockets that includes 21 and 24 mm sizes as some of the stuff is large. Good luck collecting tools can get expensive. Jeff

 

Oil filter wrench - the one that looks like a wide pliers. In case the oil filter sticks and eben more useful when compressing the brake pistons. $5 at NAPA

 

hmmm, lessee....

Gator ramps (whatever those $30 things from pep boys, awesome)

Modified shorty spark plug socket for #7 (guy sells them on eBay $5)

Insulated battery wrench, long handle (8mm i believe, any parts store)

You need two torque wrenches actually something like 20-250 inch#s(3/8" drive) and a 25-250 foot#s(1/2" drive). Make sure they are reversible. Worth spending some money on Snap-On here.

Telescopic magnetic retriever, very useful, also use mine to relearn tire sensors.

Didn't see floor jack yet, so get one thats as low as possible. Two if you can swing/store it.

Fuel line disconnect tool (low cost any auto parts store, get a set)

Other than that, just beer, music and wife repellant... Good Luck!

 

Mechanics gloves. Air tools. As you progress to more complex projects you will find that you will get more and more tools.

 

See if I can summarize the individual posts, and perhaps add to what others above have suggested. I've been redoing a 2001 coupe (front end damage) so I've used many of these tools, and prior to my Vette ownership, one of my hobbies was amassing (quote from wife: "how many tools do you need?" and "don't you have enough now?") high quality (Snap On/Matco, etc - read AMERICAN MADE) tools. While I don't make my living as a mechanic, I've only seen a few private, "non-professional" mechanic shops as well equipped as mine.

You will need:

Metric tools - standards aren't common on the C5
both sockets 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 inch drives and combination wrenches(box/open end wrenches)

Torx bits - either individual screwdriver type, or torx bits for a socket wrench

Torque wrenches - both inch pound and foot pound readout - as advised, spend some money here to be sure you get accurate tools

jack stands - 2 will work, 4 are PERFECT - allows lifting entire car - you can substitute a set of car ramps for one set of jack stands, and I've found using ramps at one end of car, and jacks at the other end works well.

1 rolling hyd jack - 2 work even better

jacking pucks - pieces of wood will work, or make yours out of hockey pucks

Maybe a ball-peen hammer or two

eventually, you may want a few pry bars

if you're going to remove door panels, you will want door panel removal pliers/tools (only takes two different tools) and a "Christmas Tree" removal tool for removing "Christmas Tree" fasteners.

Air compressor and impact tools are nice, but they wouldn't be the first thing I'd purchase - you can do almost all of the work you want to do without them. Also, if you get an impact wrench, be sure to get impact sockets - IE: don't use regular (chrome) sockets with an impact tool -

Pliers - both needle nose and regular - I prefer "Channel Lock" style pliers (either Channel Lock brand or something similar) over a regular slip joint pliers, and I've got them from 3-4 inch size up to approx 16-18 inch size.

Also, a side cutter plier is useful.

Flex Head Gear wrenches - I don't yet have a set, but I've been using them at the body shop where my car is getting finished, and I've really started LIKING them. - Wouldn't be my first purchase, but I'm gonna get a set.

floor creeper for rolling around underneath the car

a trouble light - I simply prefer an electric trouble light over a flashlight - both is best

oil catch pan - get one that is capable of holding AT LEAST 2 quarts MORE than the max capacity of your engine - I hate draining oil and the oil completely fills the catch pan - when this happens, guaranteed you will spill oil on your floor getting the oil pan out from under the car.

2 1/2 gallon or larger container - can be a gas can or simply a used, empty 2++ gallong plastic jug - use it for collecting your used oil - when you change oil on your car, lawnmower, etc, drain it into your oil catch pan then poor it into this container - then you only have to run dump the oil when your container is full.

portable and a larger tool box - sounds like to begin w/ you can get by with a portable (hand carry) type tool box. Get it bigger than you initially need, cause YOU WILL fill it up, and YOU WILL run out of room. Portable tool box also nice for tossing just a few tools in to take w/ you on trips. While it's not initially required (spend your money elsewhere to start w/), if you keep gathering tools, you will eventually want a roll around, chest type tool box similar to what Craftsman, home depot, etc sell.

beer, music and wife repellant - nuff said - if you've got a Vette, tools, beer, music and wife repellant, you have a GUARANTEED cure for even the worst day or week in your life - take these items, immerse yourself in the project at hand, and forget about the days/weeks troubles - AH, Bliss!

Finally, you don't have to purchase Snap On/Matco, etc as they do tend to be spendy - watch ebay and sometimes you can get some deals. I've got some Craftsman also, lots of guys on the forum use them, and they are good tools.

Stick with American made tools, Craftsman is a good choice, "Allen" brand, SK brand, Proto brand, Snap On, Matco, Mac, etc. The more you start working on your car, the more you will find yourself using tools, so get good ones to begin with rather than buying cheap and then having to replace them as they break/wear/you become more serious, etc.

HAVE FUN!!

 

Thanks everyone for the input. Time to get a 2nd mortgage for the tool purchases.



UT-Driven

 

BFH, use it all the time.

 

No toolbox is complete without the BFH, the bigger the better -

 

May already have it, but a nice well stocked Fridge of cold ones to use to bribe folks to lend a hand when the job is more involved than one person can do....

 

A must have there!