Recommendations for must-have tools for maintenance and repairs.

[DexKing]

Good day everyone!

I am pretty new to ATV/UTV/Small engine repairs and would like input on your absolute must-have specialty tools for maintenance and repairs. Aside from the obvious wrenches and sockets, what are some more specialty type tools you use for troubleshooting? I don't plan to open a repair shop or anything, I just do this as a hobby. Looking forward to your responses!

[mikeexplorer]

It depends on the machine. Some require special tools.

 

[95kingQuad]

I used feeler gauges to set my valves at the correct heights. NGL though, a battery powered impact and ratchet will save you a lot of time.

 

Seems like a lot of them have drum brakes too, so a spring tool for that would help out too.

[Gwbarm]

You will never have enough tools, but the ones you only need once in your lifetimes list gets long. For most tasks you just need a regular socket set metric and a volt meter definately feeler guage, JIS screwdrivers, phillip will mess up the screw head taking it out. If you go to do the brakes the rear axle nut is large, not usually in a standard socket set. I would recommend only buying these specialty tools as you find a need for them. 

[C2INS]

Depending how old or stuck screws can get, I’d recommend an Impact Driver which uses a hammer.  https://a.co/d/fmrS8Y3

A pick/hook set is good for getting o-rings out of carbs.

And just make sure you have some different sockets/adapters/extensions to deal with the space constraints.

Also, have some grease available and some notable ones after your multipurpose/moly are the dielectric and o-ring kinds.

And as others mentioned, once you get to a specific task which requires special tools you’ll get them as required.

[jen]

I have  spark/Ignition tester kit...That's handy.

[jen]

Here is the one I use.  Just insert between spark plug and spark plug wire.  My sand rail VW motor uses threaded terminal spark plugs that is why the one tester has a screw attached. simple test. Just insert and watch her light up.

[jen]

Hey just adding a Trolly / I beam lift in barn.  Tractor would not lift high enough so I "Gerry Rigged"  .  I stayed above it when liftin incase some gave way.

[mikeexplorer]

That would be handy to have

 

[jen]

Yes it was a  real B.__ll buster to install. ( no female version of that term LOL).  9 foot I beam so I have 8 ft usable space.  Sits on 4x 4  post and angle iron bolted 1/2 inch bots at other end.

[jen]

lifting 6 inch Ibeam up to 8 foot height  safely was with two (2) hoists. I stayed above the beam while lifting .    One end sits on bracket secured to 6 x 6  post w (2) 1/2 inch bolts and beam  bolted directly to the 6 x 6 post with 3/8 in bolt to prevent lateral  or rotational movement on support bracket.  Most anticipated loads are less than 1000 lbs; e.g. , zero turn mower, motor cycles (loading and unloading on trailer), and  front end of Sand rail.  3/4 tn rachet hoist and trolly  from Harbor freight.

The antique drill press from Grandpa...LOL

[mikeexplorer]

23 hours ago, jen said:

Yes it was a  real B.__ll buster to install. ( no female version of that term LOL).  9 foot I beam so I have 8 ft usable space.  Sits on 4x 4  post and angle iron bolted 1/2 inch bots at other end.

bo** buster is the female version

 

[jen]

Yes up and down ladders 50 times !

[toe420]

I found a small ultrasonic cleaner to be quite effective for cleaning up old carbs that have been sitting with fuel in them. You can also bag them in a zip lock bag full of cleaner to do multiple at once.  

[jen]

Really!   I have always wanted one ... I am into clean...What brand?  Details and your picture....

[mikeexplorer]

Ultrasonic cleaners can be useful for a lot of things.

 

[jen]

Hmmm...?  Such as ...?

I never thought of bagging them and cleaning...that is interesting.   They don't sanitize things  do they?  I thought they were only good on metal ...how about glass or  rubber?

[quadnut20]

On 10/13/2025 at 8:49 PM, DexKing said:

Good day everyone!

I am pretty new to ATV/UTV/Small engine repairs and would like input on your absolute must-have specialty tools for maintenance and repairs. Aside from the obvious wrenches and sockets, what are some more specialty type tools you use for troubleshooting? I don't plan to open a repair shop or anything, I just do this as a hobby. Looking forward to your responses!

Depends on what machine you have ! All require some sort of special tools My Kodiak 700 will come apart with a 8mm 10mm 12mm but if you do clutch work like i just did I had to buy a special spring compressor for the secondary clutch So it just depends on what machine you have !! I have tons of tool but still needed  one I didn't have !!

Edited February 27 by quadnut20

[jen]

Ha Ha..  LOL..This is rich!  .Mike's "cleans a lot of things"...my imagination was tweaked...I thought electronic cleaners were for like personal items like jewelry and things.   

[mikeexplorer]

13 hours ago, jen said:

Hmmm...?  Such as ...?

I never thought of bagging them and cleaning...that is interesting.   They don't sanitize things  do they?  I thought they were only good on metal ...how about glass or  rubber?

It depends on the solution used, but yes, it can clean other materials then metal. 

 

8 hours ago, jen said:

Ha Ha..  LOL..This is rich!  .Mike's "cleans a lot of things"...my imagination was tweaked...I thought electronic cleaners were for like personal items like jewelry and things.   

That is a common use because the high frequency will allow the solution to get into the small areas to clean them

 

[vr32]

On 10/14/2025 at 3:49 PM, DexKing said:

Good day everyone!

I am pretty new to ATV/UTV/Small engine repairs and would like input on your absolute must-have specialty tools for maintenance and repairs. Aside from the obvious wrenches and sockets, what are some more specialty type tools you use for troubleshooting? I don't plan to open a repair shop or anything, I just do this as a hobby. Looking forward to your responses!

Nothings an absolute must but they do make life easier! Get a universal pulley holder if you don't have one.