Pic. 3. Double ended open end wrench (up) and combined open-end wrench (at the bottom)
In addition, you will need a complete set of tools. A high-quality tool will last longer and justify all the costs of acquiring it. The basis of the kit is a set of open-end wrenches that can be used in any well-accessible place in the car. It is also desirable to have a set of ring wrenches: they can be used to unscrew rusty and stuck nuts and bolts, fasteners in places with limited space. For reasons of economy, you can purchase a set of combined open-end wrenches, which have an open-end wrench on one side and a ring wrench on the other of the same size. Similar keys are shown in Fig. 3.
For repairs, you can use a set of socket heads. If the outer diameters of the socket heads are not very large, then they can be used to loosen bolts and nuts located in the recesses.
Pic. 4. Protractor disc (up) for angular tightening of bolts and nuts. Bolts and screws with Torx heads (at the bottom)
The necessary tools are also Phillips screwdrivers, pliers and a hammer. Recently in the automotive industry, bolts and screws with so-called Torx heads are being used more and more (shown at the bottom of Fig. 4). To loosen fasteners with such heads, special end sockets of various sizes are used, similar to standard hexagonal socket heads.
Pic. 5. Pliers for removing elastic retaining rings (up) and needle nose pliers (at the bottom)
In addition to the basic set of tools, you can also purchase a special tool, which often provides invaluable assistance, especially in cases where repairs have to be done quite often. An example of such a tool is an impact wrench, without which it is almost impossible to loosen tightly tightened bolts and Phillips screws without damage. Naturally, it can also be used to tighten such fasteners. Quite often, there is a need for special pliers to remove elastic retaining rings, which are used to fix gears, shafts and other car parts and which are very difficult to remove with just a screwdriver. There are two types of circlip pliers: for expanding and removing external circlips (pic. 5, top) and for compressing and removing internal circlips. Similar tongs exist with straight and angled jaws. One of the most useful tools is a torque wrench, which can be adjusted to start slipping when a bolt or nut has reached its specified torque. On such keys, a pointer indicator of the torque achieved during tightening is sometimes installed.
Pic. 6. The main and auxiliary tools offered for performing repair and maintenance work on a car: 1 - hydraulic jack; 2 - tripod supports; 3 - a device for installing a piston with rings in the cylinder; 4 - hacksaw; 5 - brush with metal bristles; 6 - torque wrench; 7 - electric lamp indicator (12 V); 8 - manual lamp - «carrying»; 9 - probe for monitoring tire tread wear; 10 - a set of control probes; 11 - oiler
The torque wrench is shown in fig. 6.
It is necessary to mention the goniometric disk (see fig. 4). The degree of tightening of some fasteners is indicated in degrees of turn of the key. To obtain an accurate angle, a goniometer disk is best suited.
Unfortunately, some specific jobs are not possible without the proper special tools. In such cases, you must be very careful: some work must be performed by a specialist.
Even if this repair manual shows how, without a special tool, you can dismantle and mount individual vehicle components (those cases where the use of a special tool is not necessary), However, you still need to think about purchasing a special tool. On fig. 6 shows the most commonly used main and auxiliary tool, which you have to resort to from time to time.
However, even with the help of the proposed improvised methods and tools, it is possible to remove and install various parts of the car without fear of damage.
Before starting any work, we recommend that you carefully study the following instructions in order to avoid any kind of damage:
- never rely on a car jack. Always substitute additional special supports. Even two wheels, removed and stacked on top of each other, can provide additional support if they are placed under the vehicle near the repair work. If the car slips off the jack, it will fall on the wheels placed under it;
- the final tightening of the wheel nuts should not be carried out on a raised vehicle;
- Do not open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. If this is unavoidable, then use a thick rag laid around the cork, and turning the cork to the first latch, let the steam escape;
- Do not allow brake fluid and antifreeze to come into contact with painted and varnished surfaces. The remaining spots are very difficult to remove, and sometimes not removed at all;
- Never inhale brake dust. Although the material of brake linings and pads does not contain asbestos, it is nonetheless harmful to health. If you use compressed air to blow out the brake mechanism, then turn away from places of blown dust. At service stations or trade organizations selling car accessories, you can inquire about the presence of aerosols used to coat parts of brake mechanisms to prevent dust formation;
- when performing work on a car, in no case should you work in a tie, long-sleeved shirts, in any flowing clothes. Long hair must be picked up before work. It is also better to remove rings on fingers, bracelets and watches - they are good conductors when in contact with electrical equipment parts;
- never smoke near the car. It is for this reason that the battery is disconnected if the fuel lines are disconnected. Short circuits caused by metal objects can cause sparks. For your safety, always have a fire extinguisher ready;
- avoid working with bad tools that can cause injury, as well as damage to nuts, bolts, etc.