tool most used on my Benz? Gear Wrenches.

The best tool in my tool box? the long small craftsman screwdriver. the third one down in this pic
http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/DM_Sear5screwdrivers.jpg

my friend works as a mechanic, and he has all snap-on in his box, except for that screw driver. thats gotta say something.

the most used tool of them all? a floor jack. I have a Harbor freight one because is so damn heavy that it works great. not the best jack I'm sure. but for the money I'm very glad i bought it.

and the best tool i ever bought? my Toyota Tercel

I beat the crap out of it. and i use it as a tool, not a car. my Mercedes is my car. but when work needs to be done, its the tercel i turn to, cheap on fuel, and I've done everything with it. with extra low range, I've used it to pull cars out of ditches. it can do anything.

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A big ass hammer, a breaker bar, and a cold chisel are a must have for any DIYer auto mechanic. They don't get the job done right but they get it done.

A come along, cinder blocks, a big sturdy shady tree, and a good beer cooler are nice too.

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green 85 300SD 200K miles "Das Schlepper Frog" With a OM603 TBO360 turbo ( To be intercooled someday )( Kalifornistani emissons )
white 79 300SD 200K'ish miles "Farfegnugen" (RIP - cracked crank)
desert storm primer 63 T-bird "The Undead" (long term hibernation)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/fe-graphs/sig692a.png

This big 16” Craftsman Screwdriver is something that I have found to be indispensable over the years. Use 90% of the time for prying things. This is the 2nd one I have owned (for over 20 years) the 1st one was left resting inside of the frame of a big rig and for all I know may still be there. Until I got a new one it was sorely missed.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Here are a few that have saved me hours of labor.

Wireless Inspection Camera with 2.4" Color LCD Monitor
Item # 66550 Manufacturer: Cen-Tech
.Purchase In Store Only
http://www.harborfreight.com/wireless-inspection-camera-with-24-inch-color-lcd-monitor-66550.html


3 Piece Super-Long Extension Set
Item # 39193 Manufacturer: Pittsburgh
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-super-long-extension-set-39193.html

3 piece 1/2" Drive Extension Bar Set 15, 18, 24"
http://www.amazon.com/piece-Drive-Extension-Bar-Set/dp/B004874RF0


13-Piece Allen Hex Bit Socket - Metric MM
http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Grade-13-Piece-Allen-Socket/dp/B000GYLGU8/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1293385868&sr=1-1

X12/.

That's why I have original manuals, which I scan or print out .pdf files to have. I can't afford to get a 70 year old manual covered with grease. Besides, this way, it's like having two manuals so when I'm home from the shop, I can read, think, and "figger out" things.

X2 also on the brake bleeder. I had the professional one stolen when it was stored in a building with a bunch of independent contractors working for Comcast. This was the one that held 2 gallons of brake fluid and did flushes.

However, I have just found another one for cheap, so now I just need the adaptors.

My recommended tools: thin-wall metric socket sets that fit into tight corners and work well. Snap-On, MAC or FACOM. Hazet probably makes them too.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

x2 on helpers, buddies are the best tool a dieselhead can have!

best by far is a nice 3.5 ton floor jack! and 6Ton or bigger jack stands.

and I'm totally amazed that NOBODY said THIS AWESOME SITE!!!!!
by far this site is the absolute best tool any dieselhead can have!

x13 on the paper original FSM books. you can scan or photocopy the pages of the jobs you want to do, and have 1,000,000,000 times better than the CD could EVER produce...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I still rate my 5" angle grinder as my most used best buy...


...and the worst? (Drum roll) A 2 speed Dremmel - what a waste of space.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Funny you mention that, a friend of mine brought his iPad out to his car when we were swapping out the front subframe mounts(on a mini cooper S), put it in a heavy duty ziplock and viola. We had the DIY, FSM, and parts details at our fingertips. Gotta love progress.

whunter, do you have this set of allens? I really like the look of these tools, (the look stronger then the craftsman, see picture) I like that they have sizes up to 14mm, good for the diff. and I like the price! I'm a little worried about the quality, and I goggled Neiko Tools USA and they do not seem to have a website... seems a little fishy to me. But then again, at $15 if they last at least 3 times changing the diff fluid I suppose its a deal.

do you have any personal experience with this brand, is it above or below HF quality?

Thanks!

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I just got one of these a few weeks ago when they went back on sale.. (at $100 ) I am amazed at the quality of the view on the REmoveable screen... (wireless ) I have not stuck it into a MB diesel bore yet but have into lots of other holes... ( Don't go there you sick b*stards !!! ) ... LOL

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I had that set a few years ago, until lost/stolen..
Better than Craftsman, not as good as Snap-On or MAC.

whunter, THANKS!
I think I'm getting myself a late Christmas present!

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