Defender workshop tools- recommendations?

[Toxic_Avenger]

Over the weekend I installed a steering guard and diff sliders on my puma, but quickly came to realize that my existing tools are not really cut out for the eclectic mix of fasteners on the defender.
While I'm no mechanical dunce, most of my tools are not suitable for the bigger stuff on these vehicles (I've owned / worked on Australian sedans and Japanese imports).

Looking to get some opinions on what your 'go to' tools are for working on your defender. Am I right in thinking that there is a mix of metric and imperial? Is there any rhyme or reason to what is used?

I've worked out I need sockets / spanners bigger than 19mm for a lot of the suspension gear, and I have nowhere near enough 15mm sockets / spanners to comfortably and quickly work on the other suspension linkages. Looks like there is some funky new-age fastener action happening in the engine bay too (I'll blame ford for that). Up until lat week, I never owned anything larger that a T6 torx bit :o

What I've currently got is:
Full set of metric ring/open end spanners up to 24mm
Metric and imperial sockets, key sizes in 1/4 , 3/8 and 1/2" drive.
Suitable speed braces, ratchets, extensions and 400mm 1/2" breaker bar (ole faithful)
Key size ratchet spanners (fixed and swivel head), up to 19mm
Offset metric ring spanners
1/2" Inhex metric bits (and T handle and L hex varieties)
fang-dangled new 400nm battery impact wrench with modest selection of deep impact sockets (yet to use this tool in anger)
plus other random gear like pliers, vice-grips, tap/die, flare spanners, crows foot sockets etc.

Opinions and advice welcomed!

[BadCo.]

Since acquiring my truck I have purchased a metric 3/4“ drive socket set that goes from 19 to 50 and a meter long breaker bar to help out.

Also, I haven't noticed any imperial sizes on the Perentie except for the battery lead clamps.

Oh and circlip pliers and assorted split pins.

What is a flare spanner and Crows foot?

[Judo]

I bought a socket set up to 32mm which is constantly in use. I don't recall anything over 32mm. I also bought a spanner set up to 32mm that gets used a lot.

There is wheel bearings but a 52mm hub nut spanner is ok for that.

I haven't found much imperial on my TDI disco either. I think some suspension nuts (radius arm chassis end?) might be imperial, but you could maybe substitute all imperial stuff for a decent shifter. Keen to hear what other imperial folks have come across tho.

Metric sockets and spanners up to 32mm is my recommendation.

[Judo]

P.S. All my sockets are 1/2" drive. I later bought a 1/2" torque wrench to compliment.

[BadCo.]

I haven't found much imperial on my TDI disco either. I think some suspension nuts (radius arm chassis end?) might be imperial, but you could maybe substitute all imperial stuff for a decent shifter. Keen to hear what other imperial folks have come across tho.

Adjustable spanners are the Devil and are often referred to as mobile lathes! ;)

[wrinklearthur]

Flare spanner and it's uses;

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2800/qo6zk/products/1911/images/6947/Audel_Power_Tools_Dandenong_Sidchrome_scmt21257__8 2052.1409644784.200.200.jpg?c=2
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/919.jpg

Crows foot and it's uses;

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/920.jpg
http://www.sidchrome.com.au/image.ashx?w=400&path=/portals/0/images/products/2620.jpg
.

[BadCo.]

So a flare spanner has the contact area between a ring spanner and an open ender, is that the difference?

I'm going to wiki the Crows foot because that looks out of it.

[Brett1066]

A good quality torque wrench is always good to have, the one I have does from 12Nm up to about 150Nm I think.

[BadCo.]

A good quality torque wrench is always good to have, the one I have does from 12Nm up to about 150Nm I think.

What size drive is that? That's a huge range it does!

[Toxic_Avenger]

I call a shifter an 'all purpose nut-rounding device'.

[BilboBoggles]

A Selection of decent vice grips. I no longer use flare nut spanners on brake pipe nuts, if the nut is stuck well then the best tool is a nut shifting vice grip - works wonders and avoids rounding nuts.

http://www.irwin.com/tools/locking-tools/the-original-locking-wrenches

[Brett1066]

What size drive is that? That's a huge range it does!

Half inch drive, took some hunting around to get one with the range I wanted, ended up getting it from toolmart for $110. Brand name eludes me at the moment

[mools]

Suggest....

9/16th ring spanner (preferably thin walled) for the nuts on the driveshaft to flange bolts. Never used the prop shaft removal tool but probably better.

Hammers (soft and hard faced).

Small change for the swear jar.

Ian.

[BadCo.]

Well that explains why a 14mm and 15mm spanner didn't fit right.

[J RAD]

if the nut is stuck well then the best tool is a nut shifting vice grip

AMEN!!

Also a hub nut tool. I just doesn't feel right using a chisel. :p

[Toxic_Avenger]

A Selection of decent vice grips. I no longer use flare nut spanners on brake pipe nuts, if the nut is stuck well then the best tool is a nut shifting vice grip - works wonders and avoids rounding nuts.

The Original (http://www.irwin.com/tools/locking-tools/the-original-locking-wrenches)

I've got one of those vice grips, great little tools. Sometimes hard if you are working on the ABS manifold or in similar tight quarters though. Great for doing the brake lines at the caliper.
I also have a small set of locking long nose vise grips which are great for those spring clamps that hold water hoses on. Lock it on, then slide it off.
I've got one of the cable type spring clamp removers, but always reach for the long nose vise grips first.
http://www.costplustools.com/assets/images/may28650.jpg


Good input regarding the 9/16 wrench. Are there any other common imperial sizes which are used?

[JdL]

Hi Toxic, I asked a similar question a few months back, same job to do with steering guard and diff sliders etc. The thread link is: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/200937-metric-imperial.html
Hopefully helps, Cheers

[Judo]

I forgot about the 9/16 nuts... Maybe you do need imperial as well.

[mark2]

20t press if you want to change suspension bushes yourself.

The driveshaft tool is useful however a ground-down ring spanner also helps. Its l worth carrying the tools to remove a propshaft as part of an in-vehicle kit in case of diff breakage etc.

[Toxic_Avenger]

20t press if you want to change suspension bushes yourself.

The driveshaft tool is useful however a ground-down ring spanner also helps. Its l worth carrying the tools to remove a propshaft as part of an in-vehicle kit in case of diff breakage etc.

Good call.
There is a nice stahlwillie 9/16 ROE on ebay for 25 delivered.
Cheap insurance. Most my my spanners are either toolex or kincrome... would be interesting to see if the big german brands are all they're stacked up to be.

I've got access to a bearing press, plus I've found that a Friday arvo call on a gearbox shop with a 6-pack in hand will get most things done, if you have a small part to carry into the workshop