An essential component of a repair is a complete set of quality tools. Quality is the most important requirement here, as a cheap tool can become very expensive because it jumps off and destroys expensive parts. A good quality tool can be used for a long time and ultimately compensates for the cost of its purchase. The basis of the tool set is a set of wrenches that can be installed in any easily accessible place. A set of open-end wrenches is an excellent addition to the previous set, especially in the case of tightly seated bolts and nuts or when there is a lack of space. To reduce costs, you can also use a set of combination wrenches, which have a regular open-end wrench on one end and an open-end wrench of the same size on the other. The picture below shows what these wrenches look like.
The appearance of regular (top) and combination wrenches (bottom).
You will also need a set of socket heads. They can be used to loosen deep-set bolts and nuts. The next necessary item is a set of Phillips screwdrivers, pliers and a hammer. In addition to the basic set, you can add several special tools, which in most cases are invaluable, especially if certain jobs need to be done quite often. This saves a lot of time. An example is an impact screwdriver, without which it is hardly possible to loosen industrially tightened Phillips bolts without damaging them. Of course, it can be used to tighten sealed connections. Also often needed are pliers for retaining rings, which secure gearbox gears, shafts and similar parts, and it is quite difficult to remove retaining rings with a regular screwdriver. There are two types of pliers for retaining rings, one for outer rings, the other for inner ones. They have straight or curved grips. One of the most useful tools is a torque wrench, a type of wrench that can be adjusted so that it will turn freely when a certain torque is reached. There are similar wrenches with a dial indicator that shows the torque reached. Torque values are specified in any modern repair manual, so that complex components such as cylinder heads can be tightened without the risk of damage from overtightening.
The more modern the car model, the more tools are required to keep the car in a state ready for use. Unfortunately, some specific jobs cannot be done without the use of special equipment, and can seriously undermine your budget if not entrusted to specialists. There are also simple jobs that are also best left to specialists. Although a universal measuring device is of great help, in the wrong hands it can cause major damage to electrical equipment.
Although this guide shows how to perform various jobs without special tools (when its use is not necessary), it is still better to work with a special tool. This is especially worth doing if the car has a high mileage. Various parts can also be removed and installed using improvised methods and tools without the risk of damaging them. However, using a special tool prescribed by the company will in any case save a lot of time and nerves.
[The original article is located on BMWMAN.RU]