Abracadabra

This is perhaps one of more naive questions to be posted but here goes. I'm an owner of a new 8...perhpas the greatest car I've ever owned. I'd really like to do some maintenence work on it myself. I do have past experience on domestic cars...an old vette etc. but that was quite some time ago and I'd like to make this 8 a new found hobby. At the risk of sounding like I've just fallen off another planet, My current tools are not metric...Is the 8 entirely metric? Can I purchase craftsman metric sockets to fit onto my existing drives? torque wrenches etc.? Thanks for any help.

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dannobre

Need Metric tools

Sockets....Metric fits standard 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 in drives
Wrenches....different sizes a lot of the body fasteners are either 8 or 10mm

Good Luck

Abracadabra

Thanks so much....off to Sears tomorrow...having a sale til Sept 4th on tools 3.5 n floor jack and 2 stands on sale for $119 as well a sockets, wrenches, etc. Thanks again. BTW first project is to remove front bumper and install gutter guard screen in lower opening and oil cooler screens from racing beat. Thanks again

bgreene

From what I've seen so far with fluid changes (oil, MT, and diff), plus replacing the intake and the suspension, and popping the nose off a couple times for various reasons, everything is metric (even the lugnuts are 21mm, although some cheaper 13/16 will fit since their tolerancing might be less than stellar, I tried a Craftsman 13/16 deep socket with no success and finally took the wheel lock key into the store to find a fit).

the spark plugs may sill be inches, but all the hardware I've seen is mm.

The good news is that your existing ratchets/torque wrenches/air tools will take metric sized sockets with no hassles. You will need all new combo/box wrehches and allens (if you plan on working with the suspension, I'd highly reccomend ratcheting box-ends in 14 and 17 mm sizes as well if you don't want to spring for a full set).

bgreene

One warning about the Racing Beat oil cooler screens (that was my first adventure with removing the nose).

When I got the screens, the instructions left out any mention of removing the retaining screw for the side marker lens (phillips head/8mm socket), but that also holds on the nose. Trying to figure out that little bit of info added about 20 minutes to the project the first time.

dannobre

Removin the front bumper is surprisingly easy.......takes about 20 min.
If you have highspeed...download Manuals for RX-8 from www.geralds.net/rx8 if its still up' or I can e-mail the body section if your e-mail will take 15MB files without chocking..The manual is really informative

Abracadabra

Appreciate the tips...I'll make a note about the side markers removal...I've downloded the tech manual thanks...and talk about a find! I've made 2 CD's of it as well as stored it on the main drive...priceless! I'll bring the lug lock along when going to sears for a fit...tnx. looking fwd to some fun!

bowman

Even my Chevy uses metic hardware.

dcfc3s

I believe most of the hardware is similar to the RX-7. Having worked on 40+ RX-7s, parted out a pile of them, built 20-some motors, I'm pretty familiar with what sizes are on the car .

8mm - some minor trim. Not too common.
10mm - LOTS of stuff. Most every bolt in the interior is 10mm, many brackets in the engine bay are held on with 10mm bolts, etc.
12mm - again, LOTS of stuff. A lot of the engine accessories are held on with 12mm fasteners - intake manifolds, AC compressor, water pump, etc. Very few things interior-wise are 12mm.
14mm - Again, mostly under the hood. Tranny to engine bolts, starter bolts, etc.
17mm - You see this a lot in suspension, and I think the various exhaust flanges have 17mm nuts.
19mm - Not super common, but a lot of suspension stuff. The RX-7's front pulley was a 19mm bolt.
21mm - Lug nuts, some suspension components.

If you have 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, and 21mm tools, you can tackle 85% of what's on the car. The oil cooler lines and AC lines on the RX-7 required 21mm, 23mm, and 26mm combination wrenches - not sure about the RX-8. The main nut that holds the flywheel on is 54mm - no kidding . You can also use a 2 1/8" socket for that. I wouldn't buy one unless you were fixin' to remove the flywheel - no need.

Get some good combination wrenches, regular and deep well sockets of each size, and you're good to go. Many times with Sears you need to buy a set to save a little money, but you end up with a bunch of tools you won't need (15mm, 16mm, etc.).

Have fun tool shopping!

Dale

Abracadabra

Really appreciate your info...Sears is running great sales this week and next...got some wrenches today after your's and other's threads...will get the rest on next weeks sale. Picked up a 3.5 ton floor jack and stands from sears for $119 on sale and a set of rhino ramps. Thanks again