1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

The basic Tool Roll?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Polaris96, Dec 18, 2014.

  1. Polaris96

    Polaris96 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2013
    8
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Hey All,

    I thought my days of wrenching were past, but, recently, I've been through a 2 year spell of ineptitude on the part of technicians (not prius related, I feel obligated to point out). After re-doing various and sundry botched "professional" jobs, I've made my peace with returning to the garage in a more or less permanent capacity.

    My daily driver is a 2005 prius which I cringed to buy and immediately grew to love. I'm going to take on the maintenance for her. Here's the question for any that want to weigh in:

    I have a more or less complete garage. I doubt there's anything I couldn't do in the garage.

    But, if you were to pack an onboard GOOD toolbox, what would be in it.

    Looking for the common sizes of tools YOU would take for jobs YOU have had to do. In the day, I'd be asking about which spares to carry, but we don't seem to need that, anymore.

    So, any advice you have would be very much appreciated. I'm especially looking for the most common sizes for spanners and sockets. So far I've got:

    14mm spanner for the Oil Drain Plug
    pry bar
    fishing tools / grabbers
    Glasses, surgical gloves (in case I need to be clean....)
    Powerful flashlight
    strap iron
    zip ties
    (of course) duct tape
    black tape
    High temp RTV
    couple of hose clamps
    "dipstick" funnel for fluids
    tyre pressure gauge
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    10, 12 and 14 mm would be the most frequently used metric sizes. Then you might want a spark plug socket and a socket that would fit the wheel lug nuts.

    1/2" ratchet, 3/8" ratchet, breaker bar in both sizes, and a length of pipe (cheater bar equivalent) to extend the breaker bar length.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Dec 18, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2014
    Robert Holt likes this.
  3. Polaris96

    Polaris96 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2013
    8
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    really? Is there a lot of use for a cheater bar on the prius? I'd probably opt for a ball peen and slug the breaker bar instead of using a long pipe. Thanx for theinfo esp the socket sizes. Do I need torx or allen at all?
     
  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yes there sure is. You can't get the breaker bar snug enough to whack with a hammer. And beating on a breaker bar on the side of the road is one big fail.

    Only thing I carry is a 1/2 breaker bar and a 3 inch extension with the lug nut socket and a piece of 3 foot emt pipe ($4) to extend the breaker bar like Pat says. Lifesaver. This is to break the nuts off the wheels. No beating required.

    That and a flashlight and a tire pressure gauge and some gloves. If you need anything else your not taking very good of the car.
     
  5. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    470
    121
    0
    Location:
    ATL-ish
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You'll need a 10mm hex drive for the tranny drain plug. 15/16 (or metric equivalent) socket for tranny fill plug. Might need an oil filter wrench. Plastic/nylon pry tools for popping fasteners inside and outside.

    +1 on the pipe extension for fussy nuts.
     
  6. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    1,313
    888
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Was that black tape black ELECTRICAL tape? I would,put both electrical tape and a hose-mending type of tape (fabric reinforced like duct tape but more flexible and better adhesives to handle hot pr sunrises liquids.
    Also ad stainless steel safety wire (used on aircraft) and pliers to cut and twist it. That saved my bacon when the rear wheel air deflector things in front of the tires had the screws vibrate out on the rough roads in the Yukon.
    Small volt-ohm-ammeter plus spare fuses.
    Emergency 12-volt battery.
    Better handle for the Jack or a better Jack plus handle.
    Wheel chocks.
    I carry a Gerber and a Leatherman multi-tools and have used them for screwing in loose screws and bolts plus cutting and twisting wire, etc.
    Really good utility knife with spare blades.
    Adjustable wrenches in small, and medium sized at least.
    Multi-bit screwdriver with Phillips and flat blades and Torx if prius has those.
    Air pump to go with tire pressure gauge , Tire repair plugs, Slime, Goop, etc for small holes in tread,
     
  7. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,626
    1,623
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    A piece of plastic to kneel on when tire changing in the rain or snow. I use an old shower curtain.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No need for Torx. The only need for Allen that I can immediately think of is a 10 mm hex key socket to remove the drain plug for transaxle ATF and a 6 mm hex key to open the valve that vents air at the top of the radiator.

    Yes, the point of using a pipe (cheater equivalent) to extend the breaker bar is to make it easy for you to gracefully apply the necessary torque for some situations like removing wheel lug nuts.
     
  9. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    763
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    10mm, 12mm, 14mm and 19mm are the wrench socket sizes needed for J.I.S. bolts and nuts on most all Prius models.

    I also like to carry large black contractor garbage bags. It can hold the removed flat tire wheel, be something to lay on when working under the car, and can serve as a poncho in the rain with holes cut out for you head and arms.

    A small blue tarp is also a good idea. In an emergency, it can be used as a distress signal, since BLUE is seldom found in an terrain on earth.

    I use a 15 inch long piece of schedule 80 aluminum pipe as a cheater bar. It weighs 11 ounces as opposed to a couple of pounds for steel.

    I also have a blanket and several water bottle and some energy bars.

    This pre-Leatherman tool from the 1980's was once issued to US ski troops.

    WRENCH PLIERS MULTITOOL
     
    #9 Mike500, Dec 18, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2014
    WilDavis likes this.
  10. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,133
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No need for anything that heavy-duty if you make sure in advance that the lug nuts are not too tight. A 13/16" spark-plug wrench (as part of a 3/8"-drive socket set) works well on the lug nuts, and eliminates need to carry the crude, clumsy standard lug wrench.

    Also carry screwdrivers, a knife, a set of ΒΌ"-drive metric sockets, and a multimeter.
     
  11. brucebee

    brucebee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    84
    11
    0
    Location:
    vista, ca
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    heavy jacket w good gloves in pockets/ water easy food blanket. besides whats been said and good walking shoes. rope also
     
  12. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    763
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I've owned many many socket sets over the years.


    My favorite is this Cescent tool set that was on sale during Christmas time at all Ace Hardware stores for $30 ten years, ago. I keep a set in both of my cars.



    Except for not having metric hex keys and a few other tools, it is the best tool set when to comes to usability. The case is the best part, since you know if any tool is missing. In 1968, when they found a ratchet in the command module wiring after the Apollo 204 fire, they started using fitted cases for tools for the same reason.

    When the case is laid flat, every tool is organized an labeled right in front of you. There is no need to take the tools out of the box and to check what size each piece is.
     
    #12 Mike500, Dec 18, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2014
  13. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    470
    121
    0
    Location:
    ATL-ish
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    God forbid you get stranded in the middle of the Boise State football stadium - for many reasons.
     
  14. Polaris96

    Polaris96 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2013
    8
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    First off, thank you, everyone. I def appreciate the input and have a pretty good idea of what I want, at least for now. I can't resist, though...

    Yes you can. I can explain several ways if you want.

    Duh. And duct tape's fine for mending hoses. Add a rag or a piece of steel strap and you have a robust and conformal patch.

    Definitely like that idea, but strap iron works good, too, and I've already got that.

    Usually I replace a jack as soon as I buy a car. I've actually been really happy with the prius jack, though


    You can't gracefully apply torque with a cheater bar. Every Engineer or Technician is taught this early on. None of us ever believe it until we finally get tired of burning/drilling/extracting/pressing/tapping the remains of gracefully applied torque. Slugging is a much safer alternative and actually easier once the technique is mastered.

    I realize that statement is considered heresy by the shade-tree community. It's the truth, though. Impact guns weren't invented to make thing easier, they were invented to stop shearing studs.

    I believe you. Glad to hear it :)

    Yeah... I don't need any more sets. You'd really like my garage. I used to agree with keeping a french fitted socket set aboard until I started hanging out and wrenching with rally guys. I like their way better. Get a big heavy duty knapsack and ONLY PUT THE TOOLS YOU NEED ON THE ROAD into it.

    That's the idea of this thread, to NOT have a generic set. The crescent kit in the picture looks beautiful AND I love crescent tools (esp the ubiquitous wrench), but I want a sleeker, more blue collar kit for the road.


    Please don't be too annoyed with me at the remarks above. We all become set in our ways, after all. I will post the final inventory, and maybe a few pics after I finish building the box. Thanks again.
     
  15. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    1,313
    888
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    This is fun.
    ^^^ I have tried duct tape for small radiator hose leaks but the coolant seemed to leak through the adhesive. They used to also sell a non-plastic black cloth tape called "friction tape" IIRC that was intended for non-electrical use, so I have experience with at least three different types of black tape, all with different intended functions.
    I would carry both strap iron and stainless safety wire as the strap iron is more heavy duty but less conform able to tight , twisty situations, whereas stainless wire (or baling wire to be cheaper) is easier to get into difficult places but concentrates the load on the narrow channel of the wire and is overall weaker.
    Will be interested in final list and pics.
     
  16. brucebee

    brucebee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    84
    11
    0
    Location:
    vista, ca
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    you r right about only carrying tools u need. but how do you know that, omc outboards said they only needed x amount of sizes. would be nice to get rid of 11, 18 mm sizes etc. btw 18mm work on chevy tranny brackets from88 forward. u might have to work on other ops stuff. your wrenches will not work on british standard royal enfields. haha
     
  17. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,133
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    And I thought they were invented so tire shops could quickly and easily overtighten lug nuts so tight they can't be removed without another impact wrench or a long cheater bar---if the car survives the abuse undamaged.
     
    xliderider and edthefox5 like this.
  18. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Quite honestly the Prius is not a car that breaks down on the side of the road. If it is does, it is usually user neglect. When something goes wrong and a code is thrown you usually have a pretty good warning and can get off the road and to a repair shop or back home. The only time in 130K miles this has ever happened is when I ran out of gas (somewhat purposefully to test it out). The car then continues to drive on electric only and I drove another mile to the next interstate exit regenned down the offramp and drove across the street into the gas station.

    I think the only tools you need in a Prius:

    CAN Reader - Plugs into the OBDII port and tells you the DTC errors and allows you to clear them. The one I made will tell me the HV pack voltage and current in/out readings just for fun when plugged in all the time

    Emergency Snow Chains - If the traction control disables you, a good set of real chains work great

    Gardening Pad - It is a squishy pad that people kneel on when they are gardening. It works great for the side of the road changing a flat or putting on chains. In the snow it is nice to not kneel directly on the snow

    Emergency Kit - Flare, reflector triangles, thermal blanket, chemical heater pads (like you can buy for your ski boots), electrical tape, duct tape

    Emergency Power - I keep a fully charged 16000mAh battery in the back. It has 2 usb outputs and a cheesy LED flashlight. Enough to fully charge my phone from empty to full over 5 times. I have a similar one that some weekends when I travel I don't even bring my wall charger and the battery can keep my phone fully charged the entire weekend from the plane flights to the night charges and whatever else.

    Emergency Food
    - Some water, some fat/protein like nuts

    Tire Stuff - Good jack, spare tire, 12v tire inflation widget

    Fuses - An assortment of mini-fuses for the cabin and normal fuses for the bonnet.

    The rest of the stuff is not necessary for a Prius. It is good for your garage but the Prius doesn't just die like domestics do. It is like a mule you can abuse If a spark plug dies you will get a CEL and it will keep on trucking for hundreds or thousands of miles. If the coolant pump dies it will throw a master warning light tell you there is a problem with the car, and keep on driving for many miles. If it is just the inverter, pull over let it cool down, and continue on. If the engine radiator stops cooling, then you can limp back on electric with bursts of engine. There are just really no roadside breakdowns in the Prius that are repairable events on the side of the road. If it fails to the point where you actually have to fix it there, you have a major problem.
     
  19. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I am not annoyed, but I don't understand your observation. The correct use for a cheater bar is to loosen hardware, not to tighten.

    By having a longer lever arm to work with, it is much easier to apply the needed torque. This is a basic physics concept. There is absolutely no reason that hardware should be damaged while it is being loosened.

    Further, it is easier on a stud or a nut to have gradual loosening torque applied to it vs. the sudden shock from an impact wrench or your hammer.

    Regardless, if your technique works for you then no worries.
     
    edthefox5 likes this.
  20. Hokie-Dave

    Hokie-Dave Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2005
    161
    41
    0
    Location:
    Manassas, VA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I would recommend a block of wood and a hammer (or a good size rubber ended hammer). This is in case the wheels are stuck on the rotors if you are trying to change a flat tire and can't get the flat one off the car. This happened to me at the office last year. I was lucky and the facilities guy was still in and had a hammer to lend me and I found a 1 foot piece of 2x6 to put against the inside of the wheel to beat on.