Redblock Tool Recommendations

Hey ya’ll. Learned the hard way that I need to learn to work on my 87’ 740 GLE Sedan myself.

Anyways, I have no mechanical experience, outside of basic common sense things that anyone can do. I’ve got a Haynes manual, and OTPubs Volvo factory manuals at my disposable, as well as a recently purchased Craftsman Versastack Mechanic’s Toolset I got on sale. That’s it.

What tools and spare parts should I 1. Keep with me in the trunk, 2. What tools and spare parts should I have on hand in case?

Tips, tricks, etc. for a beginner would be helpful.

Timing and accessory belts (water pump, power steering, alternator are a good one to keep on hand. I would also recommend a tire plug kit, accessory plug powered air compressor, a battery jumper, and some jumper cables.

Get the appropriate sized socket for your oil drain plug. Get a spark plug socket and gap tool. Get an oil filter wrench. Get a set of ramps. Get a bunch of fuses. Get a wire brush set. Get a can of dielectric grease. Get more extensions and universal joints. Get a can of PB Blaster. Get a test light. Get ready to replace your wiring harness.

To have in the car at all times: factory tool kit, whatever extra tools you might need to change belts (ratchet, couple of extensions, socket set), basic electrical test light, tire plug kit, roll of duct tape.

Spare wheel with a good tire on it. Not sure if the 740 will fit a full size one. 240 wagon will so I ditched the 35 y/o space saver. If it won't you can order replacement spare sized tires (!) for the factory spare. I also threw a Harbor Freight 30" breaker bar and appropriately sized socket in the back since it is way nicer to use than the factory wrench or those X shaped lug wrenches.

Toolkit and set of spare belts in the trunk. Better yet, replace your current belts and just throw the old ones in the back as the backup.

Electrical kit - spare fuses, cheapo multimeter, cheap combo wire stripper and crimper, spool of wire, box of crimps. Got me home several times after some shoddy piece of previous owner workmanship let go.

Box to hold any additional tools which don't go in the toolkit you bought. I used an old leather briefcase from Goodwill which fit nicely in the cargo compartment under the floor of the 245.

Beyond that... I lived in an apartment so rather than lug my tools back and forth, I just kept everything except the power tools and large spares in the back of the wagon. Ratchet straps and the cargo hooks back there kept it from sliding around. Had a Home Depot lidded tote with the chemical cans and coolant, two jackstands, and a little bottle jack. Expensive stuff (torque wrench, socket set, briefcase of other tools) went under the floor out of sight and locked.

For jump starters, I recommend Project Farm's video. You can probably pick up a little Chinese lithium unit that includes an air compressor for not too much money.

Basically - if you have that toolkit and the emergency basics, just buy stuff as you need it and throw it in the collection. Try and keep things vaguely organized (I don't manage this, lol). Eventually you'll find you have the tool for whatever you need.

Harbor Freight is your friend. Usually better than Amazon and since the shipping cost isn't baked in, often cheaper. If you use it enough to break it, you can get a nicer one.

Get a decent enough multimeter and a test-light (incandescent). As mentioned, 1" socket for the drain plug. Oil filter pliers are nice to have. You'll need a 10mm hex drive (I think?) socket for the caliper bracket bolts if you ever need to take those off.

This is a really good oil filter wrench to use. Lets you get good access under the manifold. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1762672987.../Qdyyjfm1PeenI8WLvlqM45VShr3|tkp:BFBMvuKxisRj

I have a cheap nylon strap type one that I got from IPD many years ago. It works great, easy to wriggle into position and takes up less space when rolled up than the metal ring ones.

Basically like this but even cheaper looking - the metal part is some square tubing with a slot in it...


Also works great for opening jars.

Nagrom said:

Get the appropriate sized socket for your oil drain plug. Get a spark plug socket and gap tool. Get an oil filter wrench. Get a set of ramps. Get a bunch of fuses. Get a wire brush set. Get a can of dielectric grease. Get more extensions and universal joints. Get a can of PB Blaster. Get a test light. Get ready to replace your wiring harness.

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I agree with everything (some I even need to get), but the oil filter wrench. You should never tighten the oil filter more than just by hand.

Khrrck said:

Basically - if you have that toolkit and the emergency basics, just buy stuff as you need it and throw it in the collection. Try and keep things vaguely organized (I don't manage this, lol). Eventually you'll find you have the tool for whatever you need.

Harbor Freight is your friend. Usually better than Amazon and since the shipping cost isn't baked in, often cheaper. If you use it enough to break it, you can get a nicer one.

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A lot of their hand tools even have lifetime warranty.

CaliMeatWagon said:

I agree with everything (some I even need to get), but the oil filter wrench. You should never tighten the oil filter more than just by hand.

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So how do you get the filter off easily after mongo the mechanic changed your oil? LOl. In case you didn't know. that type of oil filter wrench I suggested is the same design that Volvo sold for your car.

Another tool recommendation would be to get a set of good quality allen sockets and also L shaped allen wrenches.

The oil filter wrench is for removing the filter, not installing.

Always put a film of oil on the filter seal. Removing a filter that didn't have oil on the seal can be very difficult. It usually involves destroying the filter.

CaliMeatWagon said:

I agree with everything (some I even need to get), but the oil filter wrench. You should never tighten the oil filter more than just by hand.



A lot of their hand tools even have lifetime warranty.

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It's only for getting it off

dl242gt said:

So how do you get the filter off easily after mongo the mechanic changed your oil? LOl. In case you didn't know. that type of oil filter wrench I suggested is the same design that Volvo sold for your car.

Another tool recommendation would be to get a set of good quality allen sockets and also L shaped allen wrenches.

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I don't let Mongo near my car for a reason, lol. But good point. But I got trust issues. For instance, I always loosen and re-torque my lug nuts after a tire change or balance. I once watch I guy UGHA-DUGHA them in right after I told him "63 ft-lbs". "Okay" he says right before sending them all the way home one lug at a time...

hiperfauto said:

The oil filter wrench is for removing the filter, not installing.

Always put a film of oil on the filter seal. Removing a filter that didn't have oil on the seal can be very difficult. It usually involves destroying the filter.

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Good point. And good tipe about the little bit of oil.

Nagrom said:

It's only for getting it off

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Yep, didn't think of that. I've just removed too many overtightened oil filters that my initial reaction was "NOOOO!!!!".