Maintenance and minor repair tool kit
When working on your VW, or any other car for that matter, you’re going to need tools. The following is a listing of the minimal tools needed to perform routine maintenance, servicing and minor repair work on your vehicle. With regard to wrenches, we recommend the purchase of combination wrenches (box-end and open-end wrenches combined in one wrench). Even though these wrenches are more expensive than plain open-end wrenches, they offer the benefits of both types.
| • Metric combination wrench set, 6mm to 19mm • 8-inch adjustable “Crescent” wrench • Spark plug wrench or socket (13/16-inch) with rubber insert • Spark plug gap adjusting tool • Feeler gauge set • Brake bleeder wrench, 6mm & 7mm • Standard screwdriver, 5/16-inch x 6-inch • Phillips screwdriver, #2 x 6-inch • Combination pliers, 6-inch • Hacksaw and an assortment of blades • Tire pressure gauge • Grease gun • Oil can |
• Fine emery cloth • Wire brush • Battery post and cable cleaning tool • Funnel • Jack stands (2) • Floor jack • Fender cover • Oil drain pan • Safety goggles • Gloves • 36mm Hammer Tool • Metric Hex Key Assortment • Electrical Test Light |
Volkswagen Specific Tools
In addition to the general list of tools, the following additional tools are specific to the care, maintenance or overhaul of your Volkswagen.
| • Offset box wrenches: 10 mm and 13 mm • Combination wrenches: 7 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 13 mm (2), 17 mm, 19 mm, 21 mm • 3/8-inch drive sockets: 10 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm, 21mm • 3/8-inch drive extensions: 2 1/2-inch and 6-inch • 3/8-inch drive universal joint • Sliding T-handle (8-inches long maximum) • 3/8-inch drive ratchet • 3/8-inch torque wrench (0 to 150 foot-pounds) • Magnetic tip Phillips screwdrivers: sizes #1, #2 and #3 • Standard screw drivers: 1/8-inch, 5/16-inch and 3/8-inch • Offset screwdriver (flat blade style) • Wire-type thickness gauge with bending lever: 0.020″, 0.024″ & 0.028″ • Flat feeler gauge: .006″, .0016″ • 17mm hex head wrench • Hex wrench set: 4mm to 10mm • Pliers: lineman’s, channel-locks, needle-nose, vise-grip, snap-ring (internal and external), hog ring • Combination instrument or dwell meter, tachometer, and stroboscopic timing light • Universal flywheel holder • Clutch pilot tool • Oil pump puller • Engine stand • Distributor drive puller • 1/2-inch drive, 36mm socket • 1/2-inch drive breaker bar • Crankshaft gear puller • Crankshaft pulley puller |
• Valve guide drill bit • Oil filler removal tool • Tie rod puller • Oil piston puller • CV joint tool (6 point and 12 point) • Spark plug hole tap • Starter bushing tool • End play tool • Deck height tool • Lifter retaining clips • Flywheel seal installing tool • Condenser installation tool • Flywheel dowel pin fixture • Carburetor synchronizer • Valve guide installer • Pinion nut socket • Clutch adjusting wrench • Universal valve adjust tool • 1/4-inch drift • Pin punches • Center punch • 1/2-inch cold chisel • Scribe • Gasket scraper • Steel rule/straight-edge (12-inch) • Assorted files • Electric drill motor and a set of good quality drill bits • Fuel line clamp • Rubber or phenolic dead-blow mallet • Tow bar |
Special Tools
The tools in this list include those which are not used on a regular basis, relatively expensive to buy, or are to be used to perform specific mechanical operations in accordance to the manufacturer’s instructions. Unless you are a frequent VW engine or transaxle rebuilder, you may wish to consider renting rather than purchasing some of the tools listed below. Many of these tools are available and obtainable by the home rebuilder.
| • Valve spring compressor • Valve spring removal tool • Piston ring groove cleaning tool • Piston ring compressor • Piston ring installation tool • Cylinder compression gauge • Cylinder ridge reamer • Cylinder surfacing hone • Cylinder bore gauge • Micrometers and/or dial calipers • Ball joint separator |
• Universal-type puller • Impact screwdriver • Dial indicator set • Hand-operated vacuum/pressure pump • Universal electric multi-meter • Brake spring removal and adjustment tools • Transmission jig • Gear cluster puller • Backlash adjusting tool • Stud removal kit • Case-saver installer • Metric tap and die set |