Important Tools for Newbies

[celica2004]

Main Tools for Corolla Newbies:

Wrenches:
Vehicles today use metric fasteners. If you have a Japanese import, you will need an 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm and a 19mm wrench. If you have an American or German import, a 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm and 19mm are the most useful.
Combination wrenches that have an open and box end are more versatile then either just a box end or open end. 12-point wrenches are more useful than 6-point wrenches. Avoid wrenches that are one size on one end and another size on the other end.

Ratchet and Sockets
A 3/8" drive ratchet and sockets are good to have as well. There are places where a wrench will not go and you will need a socket to loosen or tighten a fastener. If you have a Japanese import, you will need an 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm and a 19mm deep and shallow sockets. If you have an American or German import, a 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm and 19mm deep and shallow sockets are the most useful.

[ZXT]

Thanks for the tip

[abimanyu]

Some stubby screw drivers to get into hard to reach places, oil filter wrench, some pliers, Torque Wrench, Rubber Hammer, CRC electric cleaners, CRC electric motor cleaners, CRC battery cleaner and protector, 3M rubber treatment, Dry Synthetic Lube, CRC Dry Moly Lube, Permatex Thread Locker, Permatex Copper RTV Gasket Maker, Permatex High Tak Gasket Sealer, Coolant Tester.

[Hemi3TC]

Originally Posted by abimanyu

CRC electric cleaners, CRC electric motor cleaners, Dry Synthetic Lube, CRC Dry Moly Lube .

What do you use the 2 different electric cleaners and the 2 different dry lubes for?
Or are they the same products.

thanks
h3tc

[abimanyu]

The electric motor cleaner I use it for the alternator or starter. The electric cleaner tend to be more gentle on plastics. Dry moly lube for high temp area and dry synthetic lube I like them because it is less oily and a mild cleaner, I use it in the door jabs, etc much cleaner and less oily.

[touringcamry]

What difference does 6 and 12 pt wrenches make? I think more torque can be applied to a nut with a 6 pt wrench. On that note, what's the point of 12 pt sockets since that thing can rotate on the handle. Are 12 pt more likely to round a bolt than a 6 pt?

I find that for nuts that are really stuck, using an open end is not a good idea. If it lifts up slightly off the nut, it can round a couple corners. I messed up my differential fill plug that way.

For Toyota, a 10mm hex (Allen) bit for a ratchet is also handy if you plan on draining the transmission. The fill plug is typically 17mm. A 5/8" spark plug socket and a 6 in or 10 in extension is useful also.

[Excidium]

Repair guide!