Essential Bus Tools

[coronabus]

OK so I finally decide to tackle the brakes on my bus. For those who don't know, I had to brake hard to avoid smoking a couple of u-turning ladies in an F-150. Since then, I've had a hard left pull when I brake and more recently no pressure....If I pump the pedal 3-4 times, I've got brakes. I've had many opinions about what could be wrong, but I figured I need the practice. I'm going through the entire brake system, starting with the front brakes.
So I get the front end on stands, remove the left front tire, dust cap and then I arrive at a couple of nuts. Would you believe I had nothing in my tool box that would fit??? My book recommended a large cresent wrench...that I didn't have.
The point of this post, with help from the experts, I wanna create a virtual bus tool box with a list of essential tools (and specialty tools) needed to accomplish any task. For special tools maybe add alittle blip about where they're needed.
I'll start....one large cresent! ;D

[davejohansen]

I found a recommended VW tool list somewhere. Printed it out .... now I just have to find it

Dave

Not the same page as I printed out but try this link

www.vw-resource.com/tools.html

They actually have alot of reference material on their web site as well.

www.vw-resource.com/index.html

[commercialair]

46mm or 36mm socket(large cresent in a pinch), assortment of sockets and socket wrench, brake line wrench(open end will do...or the aformentioned cresent, but you risk rounding over the nut), large flat blade screw driver, grease for splines, anti-seize for the bolts when you put it all back together, and probably a couple new cotter pins for the castleated nuts. Don't forget to clean and grease the adjuster blocks and stars for easy adjustment in the future. Have fun!

Chris

[riffraff]

you won't need a 46, but you will need a 36 and a 3/4" breaker bar. I think those front axle nuts are 27mm. Remember that the drivers side is left hand thread. A 26mm socket is handy as well. That is the size for the frame horn bolts.
One of those multi size bicycle wrenches will just fit over the wheel bearing nuts . It has to be very slim to fit on the inner nut when you break the outer nut free.
Snap ring pliers
Clutch alignment tool
feeler gauge
timing light
This is in addition to the compliment of tools (sockets, ratchets, open end wrenches, pliers side cutters, punches etc)that resides in the toolbox anyhow.

[Milkman]

In addition to all the above:

A test light (I never leave home without one!)
Wire stippers, extra wire, electrical tape & various terminals.
Butane soldering iron (if you like)
Feeler gauges, including brass ones for the points
Extra lights bulbs & fuses

This stuff, as well as other tools & parts always reside in my road trip box! ;D

Greg

[coronabus]

Thanks guys. It's amazing how I've wrenched on my Passat for 9 years with just the tools I have and never ran into a snag.
I definitely have the basics covered, but it's those large diameter sockets I need to add. Anyone know the size of the steering wheel nut?

[dcaul]

I read a semi-related article on this topic out of a VW magazine, and its author recommended that all VW's carry "... something sticky; something pointy; and something bendy..." in their roadside repair kit (as well as the usual - i.e., odd-sized metric wrenches; phillips screwdriver; electrical tester; etc.). To date, I have used the pointy and the bendy, but have had no use for the sticky (atleast, not yet).

[dpeters81westy]

I consider Permatex Aviation Form-a-gasket to be "sticky" and it has worked wonders on things like intake manifold gasket leaks and fuel-pump to case oil leaks..and the odd road-side carb rebuild.

- DP

...don't leave home without it.

[rico]

Don't forget, in your garage tool box, always keep a "pickle fork". If you ever have to take a tie rod off (drop spindles,narrow beam,ect.). These ma's are handy, but if you don't have one when you need one, you are hooped!!