3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Guys,
I have 99 camry but I dont want it specific to my car it should be in general.
Can anybody suggests me good car kit? What should I expect in it? Is there anything specific or I have to make collection from different source?
Thanks in advance
Guys,
I have 99 camry but I dont want it specific to my car it should be in general.
Can anybody suggests me good car kit? What should I expect in it? Is there anything specific or I have to make collection from different source?
Thanks in advance
By "car kit" do you mean tool kit? If so, go to Sears and buy the best tool kit and tool box you can afford. Tools aren't cheap, buy buy them once and never worry. If you don't mind some used tools to work on your car, hit up flea markets, yard sales and craigslist. If you can score some Craftsman, MAC, MATCO, Snap-On tools there, you're set. They pretty much guarantee their stuff for life. If it breaks, they'll replace or fix it for free.
Camricer,
Thanks but what is lug nut wrench...I will google it.
PortugalFocus,
Thanks...I mean stuff that is essential for car + tool kit. anyways thanks for your reply. I will hit up Sears and others.
Last edited by sandy_camry; 07-25-2009 at 09:26 PM.
Reason: Grammer
I have Craftsman set that I paid a little over $100 for on sale. It has metric and standard sockets, three different size ratchet wrenches, spark plug socket, two extensions, metric and std allen wrenches (11 pc each), screw drivers, open end/closed end wrenches. Keep your eyes open at sears, they have sales all the time. The whole set comes in a hard shell carrying case.
I had a garage fire and Sears replaced all of my tools that showed evidence of being in the fire. They wrote down possible metal fatigue as the reason for replacement.
I think the most important thing to start with would be a maintenance book like by Hanes. This will save you money when there are problems that you can fix yourself or just regular maintenance for beginners. Then a good range of sockets and wrenches, metric will do if you only have import cars otherwise both SAE and metric, will get you far with most jobs along with a good jack with jack stands. Lastly to complete the car kit would be stuff for exterior maintenance such as car soap, mitten, and so on as you see fit. And if you ever need a specialized tool that you would only use once in a long time, borrow it from friends or auto parts stores with tool loan programs.
I'm a fan of the single big box of Craftsman tools. But none of the kits are right for a Camry. A small kit won't have many of the tools you'll need, and the big kits have many tools you'll never use yet still won't have everything. Many of the bigger kits bulk up their count with lots of SAE sized tools, smaller sockets duplicated in 6 and 12 point, and screwdriver bits.
You can put together a much more effective kit that's smaller and weights less if you stick to just few sizes of tools that are needed for the Camry. The screw/bolt heads are #2 Phillips, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm. The suspension needs 17mm and 19mm sockets, and the fasteners often need a specific torque. The wheel bolts are 21mm and should always be set with a torque wrench.
I suggest getting a small strip of metric sockets in 1/4" or 3/8" drive, going from 8mm to 14mm or 15mm. The sockets don't need to be great quality, but if you decide on 1/4" drive you want at least good quality. Craftsman has a nice blow-molded kit of 1/4" deep sockets with extension and ratchet that occasionally goes on sale for about $10 that has been my go-to kit for many projects. But you will need a longer extension or 10mm nut driver for the exterior door handles.
Get a set of small box wrenches in 8/10/12/14mm sizes. The only place I can recall specifically needing them is when doing the timing belt (14mm) and bleeding the brakes (8mm), but the 10mm and 12mm ones are nice to have, especially if you only have deep sockets.
For suspension and engine projects I suggest going entirely with 1/2" drive. Harbor Freight has a great click-style torque wrench in a nice plastic case that often goes on sale for $12. The click style is much preferred over bending-beam torque wrenches because it's easier to use, more predictable, and you can use it as a breaker bar without affecting the calibration. A 14mm medium depth socket, along with 17mm, 19mm and 21mm short or standard sockets should handle most jobs. You may occasionally need a 15mm socket.
The only larger wrench you usually need is a thin 17mm (I think) for the brake caliper.
There are very few places where you need a hex key. The only one I can think of is the 10mm one needed for drain plugs. This tool is best gotten individually as a hex driver sold for brake work. This is another place where you want to set the torque accurately, so buy it in a size that fits your torque wrench or you get an adapter.
Most screw heads on the car need a #2 Phillips driver, and occasionally there isn't room for the shaft of an insert bit. I prefer Craftsman screwdrivers for their hardened, accurately shaped tips -- you can sometimes buy the orange or red handle ones for $2. For some trim you need a #1 or #3 point, and an insert bit will do. I can't think of a screw that needs a slotted driver, but a big one one used as a pry bar or wedge and a tiny one used to release clamps and connectors is good to have. For these purposes, insert bits won't work.
There are a handful of tools needed for special project. You need about 20" of extensions and a medium or deep socket to reach the 14mm nuts on the exhaust downpipe from below. A spark plug socket can be gotten for about $1. If you change the oxygen sensor, it will probably require the purpose-designed socket. Most other sensors won't be rusted and be handled with an adjustable wrench.
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