Do It Yourself Fixes Toolbox

I am excited about this blog post because tools for do it yourself repairs makes the fixes more fun. After all, my motto is “Let the tools do the work, not you”. What I mean is this, the tool is what ultimately gets the job done, and you are just a guide. In addition, the right tools can save you a ton of time with do it yourself repairs. Because of the tight spaces and angles needed to make some repairs, you will need a special tool for those repairs. Now let's get started with putting together a do it yourself toolbox. 

Toolbox Basics:

Every mechanic has his or her own toolbox because tools are necessities to be in the auto repair industry. If you want to be a do it yourself person, you will need a basic toolbox to make repairs. Tools can be purchased from manufacturers such as Snap-On or Craftsman. Also, tools can be found online at one of my favorite places to shop Amazon. A basic toolbox should include the following tools: 

1.      A Socket and Ratchet set will be used to remove nuts or bolts from the car.

Socket & Ratchet Set 

2.     Some Wrenches will be needed to take off certain nuts or bolts because the socket and ratchet will not fit into the space. 

Wrenches

3.     A good Hammer is needed because you will have to tap or hit on the part sometimes to remove it or install it. 

Hammer 

4.     Screwdrivers will be needed to remove screws from the vehicle, but Picks are used to help remove hoses like those on the radiator. 

Screwdriver & Pick Set

5.     Pliers are used to squeeze clamps on hoses for removal or to hold a spinning nut.

Pliers

Specialty tools:

In certain cases, you will need a special tool that has been designed for that repair to complete the job. Some common specialty tools with do it yourself repairs are listed below:

·       The brake caliper tool is used to push the caliper piston back into the caliper, so the rear brake pads can be replaced. This caliper differs from the front because the parking brake is connected to it which requires the piston to be twisted back into the caliper.

·       The ball joint tool is used to press a ball joint out of or into the control arm. Usually, this do it yourself repair requires pressing the old ball joint out and pressing the new ball joint back into the control arm.

·      The inner tie rod tool is used to take out the inner tie rods of the car. This tool is designed to fit on the inner tie rod and allow you to loosen it for removal.

Air tools:

Air tools cuts the time needed to do a repair dramatically. In addition, getting some nuts require a lot of turns which will be tiresome. However, when the wrench or ratchet turns for you, the job is a breeze.

ü  Air Impact Wrench is used to remove large nuts or bolts such as lug-nuts on the tire.

ü  Air Ratchet is used to remove smaller nuts on the car which are usually on the engine or inside of the vehicle. 

This is a good YouTube video demonstration by Snap-On of how their air impact wrench works.

As always, all comments, feedback, sharing or questions are welcomed by Do-It-Yourself Fixes.

Do-It-Yourself Fixes How To Information

Here comes the fun part to do it yourself auto repairs. Getting the necessary information to do it yourself is essential to make the repair. However, I say this is the fun part, but sometimes finding how to instructions and videos can be a headache. You might waste a lot of time before you find what you are looking for. In some cases, you will not find the information on Google, Bing, or YouTube. Trust me, I have learned the value of free information or guides that lead to successful do it yourself repairs.

A good place to start your search for information about do it yourself repairs is the vehicle’s repair manual. These are a good source for your car’s repair information because it comes from the manufacturer. However, I find the manuals to be stone age in this information age we live in. This is part of the reason why I am doing Do-It-Yourself Fixes because by sharing information, we can help each other out. In addition, I have looked at some manuals that were not helpful with the repair. For an example of what a repair manual looks like, below I have included this Haynes Repair Manual picture. Up under the picture is a link if you want to click and learn more about them.

                                                               http://bit.ly/2HXuAcz

Services such as AllData and other online auto repair guides can be used for repair information as well. However, these companies charge subscription fees to receive the information. To me, this defeats the purpose of doing it yourself which is saving money to begin with. On a humorous note, I did find this funny commercial on You Tube for AllData that will leave you wondering what new beer just came out.

In addition, car forums are a good place to search for auto repair information. I like the online forums because do it yourself repairs advice is offered by those who own the specific brand, model and year of car that you have. I have found a lot of good tips to doing specific jobs in these car forums. A good thing about the forums is the people commenting be loyal to their car brands and they can give great in-depth instructions.  

My favorite guide to do it yourself repairs is the online videos because you can see how the repair is done. Also, the video host will usually give tips while doing the repair which can save you a lot of time. In addition, you get to see the tools used and how difficult it can be sometimes with simple auto repairs. These difficulties will show you that it takes more patience versus toughness most of the time with do it yourself repairs.

Here are my top four picks, with links in the names, for do it yourself repair videos online that are free:

1.       1A Auto

2.       Scotty Kilmer

3.       Chris Fix

4.       Eric The Car Guy

Eric The Car Guy, Scotty Kilmer, 1A Auto and Chris Fix all publish free online auto repair videos. These videos are high quality and can be used as guides to do it yourself repairs. I have personally used these mechanics for numerous tips with my do it yourself repairs. Also, I like how their personality shows through the video which will interest you more than a manual or pictures.

Regardless of where you get the repair information from, you will want to make sure it is detailed for the specific year, make and model of your car.

As always, any feedback, comments, or sharing is welcomed and appreciated at Do-It-Yourself Fixes.