WHT Z06: Tools

WHT Z06: Tools

Here is a list of useful tools.

Tool

Factory Service Manual

Floor Jack

Jack Puck

Jack Stands

Lug Guides

Oil Funnel

Portable Air Tank

Push Pin Pliers

Race Ramps

Snap Ring Pliers

Tool
Factory Service Manual
Floor Jack
Jack Puck
Jack Stands
Lug Guides
Oil Funnel
Portable Air Tank
Push Pin Pliers
Race Ramps
Snap Ring Pliers

Factory Service Manual

I believe it's important to have the factory manual. It contains the same information technicians at your dealer use when they work on your car. It's has torque specifications, wiring schematics and lots of other useful stuff.

The best place to buy a manual is from Helm Incorporated. I paid $135 + shipping for the 2007 Corvette Y-Car Service Manual Set back in 2007. The last time I checked the price was $200.

Floor Jack

I have a good jack from when I had my 2000 SS Camaro, a Lincoln 2-ton (W93642). It has a cup that is pretty low but not low enough for a C6 Corvette so I picked up an AC Hydraulic DK20Q. The DK20Q is really low.

Jack Puck

Modern Corvettes have slotted holes on each frame rail. Called "frame rail shipping slots" these accept t-hooks and are used to chain the vehicle down for transportation.

The shipping slots can also be used to jack the car up. The factory tool is a Kent-Moore J-43625. However the C6 Z06 has an aluminum frame and a taller jack puck is needed to avoid damaging the rocker panel so I bought a Katech jacking puck.

Jack Stands

For jack stands I like the ESCO 10498 3 Ton. The jack pads have rubber covers and do not mark up the suspension.

Lug Guides

Reverse Logic sells a useful tool called a threaded lug guide. Usually used in sets of three these are make it really easy to install a wheel without drama. Mine are the long version (M12x1.5-SS-F-200) and are about 8-7/8" long.

Oil Funnel

Motivx Tools makes a neat oil funnel that locks in place of the oil cap of LS engines. It makes it almost impossible to spill oil when doing changes!

Portable Air Tank

I keep a bottle of industrial nitrogen to fill my tires. To make topping off easier I bought a 3 gallon portable air tank from Jegs (555-81003). I removed the Jegs sticker and applied custom vinyl "NITROGEN" decals from DIY Lettering. I also swapped out the hose for green Parker 801-4-GRN Push-Lok hose and a Legacy Manufacturing green ball foot air chuck (AL3000N-BG-GRA).

After a few years of use I broke the plastic knob on the manifold. I looked around and replaced it with a Performance Tool W10056 air tank manifold.

It's a bit unusual in that the knob is made out of aluminum.

Push Pin Pliers

GearWrench (formerly K-D Tools) 3888D push pin pliers can be helping for removing the plastic body clips.

Race Ramps

Years ago I had two sets of RhinoRamps. I paid about $30/pair at the Walmart and they worked great with the cars I had at the time. But they're way too steep for my Z06 so I ended up getting a pair of Race Ramps.

There are a lot of models but ultimately I decided on the RR-72-2 which is 72" two-piece design that features a two-stage incline. Reverse Logic always runs a sale and had the best deal when I was in the market. When I got them I spent a few minutes placing them and then used a paint pen to mark the corners for each car. Now when I want to do an oil change I set the ramps and drive up like a pro.

Snap Ring Pliers

When I replaced my control arm bushings I used Knipex 46 21 A11 Circlip Pliers to install the snap rings.