IMHO as modestly skilled diy'er w/ no training, you can do a heck of a lot (and i mean a lot) w/ as little as:
hydraulic jack
4 solid stands
3/8" metric socket set w/ short&deepwells, ext's, wobble ext, hand driver
metric comb wrench set, 7mm-22mm, preferably 6 point (socket 6pt, too)
torque wrench (Sears makes nice, still affordable ones) - the 3/8" drive gets most use (can't recall ft#). I could still do it all plus the brake caliper/hub bolts w/ the 1/2" drive (?250#) if slightly less precise. Your choice.
small pry bar
T25 torx driver
screwdriver set
plier set
vice grip
big heavy vice bolted to table
hammer, for now any claw will do, ball peen and deadblow are handy)
pressure bleeder very very nice to have when by yourself, just $50 at eeuroparts or ipd.com
torch is handy, too (rusted suspension parts)
flourescent shop light (doesn't break so easily, inexpensive)
(nice to at least have access to / a plan to rent a sawzall, grinder/cutoff wheel. I use an old Dremel a lot for putzy little and not so little stuff)
...
the holy grail, the real SAAB balljoint/tie-end tool, baby, yeah! Best $90 I ever spent on a tool.
handy stuff to have on the shelf: gotta have bottle of antisieze; PB Blaster; lotsa brake cleaner; tons of rags
For my old '85, most routine work boils down to suspension, brakes, drivetrain, various tune-up diddling/coolant repair/wiring/plastic bits/hoses. Engine bombproof; two messy jobs (h2o pump and clutch) was much more convenient/cost effective for saab tech to do.
'85 900S 239k

posted by 152.16.11...

• New DIYer - What kind of tools do I need?, 1993 Turbo, Mon, 6 Dec 2004 23:09:11
  • Re: New DIYer - odd extras, JohnK, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 13:33:01
  • Great replies, i'll add, KL, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 12:09:50
  • Start with the basics, Steve Schwedland , Tue, 7 Dec 2004 11:35:55
  • AutoClub membership and cellphone w/analoge :) nm, Trev, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 11:19:19
  • Couple of other things (may be a little beyond basic), jimtimkim, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 09:43:25
  • One Novice's Standpoint, Dan W, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 09:30:20 <-- Viewing This Message
  • in addition to the other great suggestions, jp, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 09:01:02
  • All good suggestions, but I'll add..., AdamD, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 08:31:08
  • Gear wrenches, Saabpilot , Tue, 7 Dec 2004 08:10:55
    • By the way that's a brand name...., Saabpilot , Tue, 7 Dec 2004 08:11:32
  • A cheapo set of sockets & torx drivers, Russell Giuliano, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 06:35:31
  • Re: New DIYer - What kind of tools do I need?, Ari , Tue, 7 Dec 2004 06:24:12
  • Craftsman ratchet/sockets/wrenches, but...., Chaz, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 03:13:32
  • metric wrenches, JJ, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 01:00:25

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