Tools!

[Jrgunn5150]

I don't have alot, not nearly what I need, and I'm slowly collecting more. Between a girlfriend who's out of work, an RC Hobby, my Dart, and this Trailblazer thing, I get pulled in alot of directions.

I already have good snap ring pliers, they came in handy for my transmission mods. I'm about to order the OEM 25550 spring compressor to get my lift done. I was wondering, what other out of the ordinary tools do you guy's have that have made things easier, or possible?

[jmar07]

Just a suggestion: Granted I own all my tools since I was a mechanic for years but the cheapest thing to do is rent you're specialty tools from autozone or whatever you're local store is. Renting is free because once you return it you get you're money back. Just a suggestion!

[Jrgunn5150]

Indeed! I often do that when there's a need. Whenever my budget allows, I purchase anything I'll ever use again though.

I'm wondering, what oddball sockets and things people have though, like for instance, a 32 or 36 mm for the hubs, or, my Cobra, I couldn't possibly remove the midpipe without a mid depth 18mm, not something I'd ordinarily have

[HARDTRAILZ]

I keep a 36 mm socket in the truck since it fits OEM and aftermarket nuts to change CV or hubs.

[Aries]

I keep a 36 mm socket in the truck since it fits OEM and aftermarket nuts to change CV or hubs.

Same here, also everything to go with it. 1/2" breaker bar with extension and other mm sockets

I also carry this socket set I got from Lowes on sale for $99. http://www.lowes.com/pd_573356-22328-86 ... facetInfo=

[Jrgunn5150]

I keep a 36 mm socket in the truck since it fits OEM and aftermarket nuts to change CV or hubs.

Same here, also everything to go with it. 1/2" breaker bar with extension and other mm sockets

I also carry this socket set I got from Lowes on sale for $99. http://www.lowes.com/pd_573356-22328-86 ... facetInfo=

Damn that's a nice set for the trail.

And good tip on the socket! I wasn't sure what the size was on that.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I keep this plus couple extra extentions
http://www.harborfreight.com/64-pc-14-i ... 67995.html

and these
http://www.harborfreight.com/22-pc-full ... 69314.html

and this
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-i ... h-239.html

Lifetime Warranty and they have not broken in my years of ownership and abuse. Actually have replaced my Craftsman junk as the go-to tools for home as well.

[Cable810]

I think the main sizes on our trucks for suspension are 12-22mm

[navigator]

If I remember right the control arm bolts are 18mm and for some reason my HF wrench sets do not have that size.

[Cable810]

The lower arms are either 21mm or 22mm

[navigator]

you're right Calebe, maybe it was the shock bolts.
I remember when I did my rear swap I needed an 18MM wrench.
I was able to work around it but the wrench made it easier.
Just make sure your kit has one or get an additional one

[Trail X]

A pittman arm puller is a nice tool to have when pulling off the lower strut mount and the tie rod ends.

A slide hammer with a CV attachment is nice for getting the inner CVs to pop out.

A inner tie rod tool can also be handy, but you can probably rent that if you want. You hopefully won't have to replace those too often.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Pickle fork and 3 or 4 lb hammer have proved themselves to be incredible a multitude of times for many thing on the truck. Sometimes you just need persuasion.

[Cable810]

I never needed a Pitman puller to get my struts out. I just unbolted the clamp that clamps around the bottom of the strut stuck a pry bar in pried it open and had a buddy yank the strut out.

Just my 2cents

[Trail X]

Do you leave the lower strut mount attached to the lower control arm? That's the joint I use the puller on.

[Moots1288]

You can do anything with a BFH.

And you can work on the whole truck with 2- screwdrivers a hammer and 8mm-24mm sockets and wrenches and you're set.

[AA1PR]

I'm an oddball I carry every socket & wrench from 1/4" to 1.5", I carry too much but I'd rather have it, the sacrifice is fuel

[Cable810]

Do you leave the lower strut mount attached to the lower control arm? That's the joint I use the puller on.

Yes

[Jrgunn5150]

If I remember right the control arm bolts are 18mm and for some reason my HF wrench sets do not have that size.

I went and checked and my HF sets also didn't include a 18mm wrench... Sneaky bastards, thanks for the tip!

[KE7WOX]

There's a tool I don't own, however, I rented it from Autozone and definitely made my life easier.

http://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/pi ... 09523_0_0/

One of my shocks was rusted to the lower mount and no amount of penetrating oil, heat, BFH, twisting, or miscellaneous violence could fully release it. Tried this tool, took me 15 minutes to accomplish what I couldn't in 10 hours.

If I did more roadie-type stuff out west I would probably just buy one and carry it with me.

On a sidenote, the one I got was probably on the 2nd or 3rd rental, so my guess is that not many people have a use for one of these, as opposed to the regular puller.