Minimum tools needed

[rclapp]

Hi.
Can anybody give me a shout as to what tools I would need as a minimum for working on my Bongo.
I have done some minor work such as putting a clock in, changed the coolant but I want to be in a position to be able to do jobs like replace disc brakes & rotors, ARB bushes, radiator etc

[Northern Bongolow]

you will need a piece of plastic about 2 inches by 4 inches with barclays or similar on it.

no seriously you will do most jobs on a bongo with a good socket set.a set of spanners,open end and ring combo,and a standard set of screw drivers.happy diy ing.

[mikexgough]

Metric spanners and sockets..... some I would advise to be 6 sided for the suspension parts....but you can buy the odd six sided sockets as you do the job..... Plenty of reasonably priced socket sets and spanners in Screwfix and the like.....also consider as a future purchase....a torque wrench....I tend to ask for these kind of things for birthdays/christmas....... stops you getting prezzies you don't want...

[rclapp]

Thanks for all the advice At the moment it does seem the most used tool is the old plastic.
There always seems a good reason to take it to the local garage rather than have a go myself.

Northern Bongolow, what are you doing posting on the forum at 5.17 am

[missfixit70]

Set of deep sockets'll come in useful too as well as a some double jointed wrists & fingers
Decent 2-3 tonne jack & axle stands, ramps have also been invaluable.
If you intend keeping it rust free, it's a good excuse to buy a compressor to do the waxoiling, pays for itself in it's first use, then it's easy to do your waxoil top ups any time you need & useful for allsorts of other stuff.
A big funnel carefully trimmed to fit over the bleed pipe tightly for when you need to bleed it, wide opening Mole grips if you need to change any hoses.
Pela pump for doing your engine & gearbox oil changes, good for brake bleeding too.
Top tool tip has to be to get an extending 1/2" drive wheel wrench to stick in your tool bag & make sure the sockets are the right size to fit your wheels, especially if you've got alloys, it can also be used to shift those stubborn nuts & bolts.

[Northern Bongolow]

Thanks for all the advice At the moment it does seem the most used tool is the old plastic.
There always seems a good reason to take it to the local garage rather than have a go myself.

Northern Bongolow, what are you doing posting on the forum at 5.17 am

work nights mate!!!!
got to get my chill out fix for an hour before i go to bed.

[g8dhe]

If you want to do anything on the electrical side then a cheap multi-meter is almost essential, something like (Click image for link to Maplin);

If you want to be able to measure DC currents more easily then a DC Clamp meter (Note the DC, AC ones are much cheaper but not much use in cars!) (Click for link to CPC);


You can get cheaper meters, some as little as a fiver but they tend to be a little less robust, but in most cases they will still do the job, but not for so long

[helen&tony]

Hi
The only thing you ever need to buy is the right tools for the job in hand...It will be cheaper than using the plastic, and you'll have them for future use...next job, same again, and after a period, you'll look in the garage, and find that not only can you tackle anything, but you've got one of every type of tool!....
Cheers
Helen

[brorabongo]

One of the best tools I got for the bongo........

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ch-kit-12v

+ a deep impact socket set.

[mikexgough]

I guess if your like me, I always prepare for the jobs I do.....I do have some of my tools from my Citroen days which also suit the Bongo.... but should I need a tool like a rachet ring spanner for example then I would get one or a set before attempting the job.... rule of thumb for me is to look at the manual and vehicle to compare how it should be and how it is......weigh up the best way of doing the job...properly..

As for tools...... yer pays yer money and all that...but not all named brands are all that....I have known a certain brand from the U.S where a rachet was dropped accidentally and the rachet broke it was that weak.....

I still have some 30 year old kamasa sockets (cheap jap crap was the comment when I got them)

[missfixit70]

I still have some 30 year old kamasa sockets (cheap jap crap was the comment when I got them)

Thought I was the only one, bought from Weymouth market about 23 years ago, managed to split a few sockets, but then a 6' scaffold pole as a lever tends to do that

[Blueskai]

Aside from tools, I invested in the Workshop Manual. It cost me over £50, but It paid for itself in a couple of months as I pottered around fixing things that I would have otherwise paid the labour on.

[rclapp]

I already have the workshop manual thanks.
What I really need is the courage to have a go myself rather than just pay the local garage to do it for me.

[The Great Pretender]

I already have the workshop manual thanks.
What I really need is the courage to have a go myself rather than just pay the local garage to do it for me.

I think courage is needed if you take your Bongo to the local garage for more than basic servicing.