What make a good mechanic or a good repair shop, are training, experience, tools and equipment. These are some of the tools and equipment a good automobile repair shop should have. The list is broken down by specialty areas as follows:

SUSPENSION & STEERING: Ball Joint Press and other Special Tools, Brake Pedal Depressor, Coil Spring Compressor Tool, Constant Velocity Joint (CV) Service Tools, Boot Installation Tool, Boot Clamp Pliers or Crimping Ring, Hand Grease Gun, Inner Tie Rod End Tool, Pitman Arm Puller, Power Steering Pump Pulley Special Tool Set, Shock Absorber Tools, Strut Spring Compressor Tool, Steering Column Special Tool Set, Tie Rod Puller, Tire Mounting Machine, Wheel Alignment Equipment-4 wheel, Wheel Balancer - Electronic Type, and Wheel Weight Pliers

BRAKES: Bearing Seal and Race Driver Set, Brake Bleeder, Pressure or Vacuum, Brake Disc Micrometer, Brake Drum Micrometer and Calibration Equipment, Brake Lathe, Brake Shoe Adjusting Gauge, Brake Spring Remover/Installer, Brake Spring Pliers, Brake Spoon.

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING: A/C Compressor Clutch Service Tools, A/C Service Port Adapter Set, Leak Detector (SAE Standard), Manifold Gauge Set or equivalent (R-12 and HFC-134a), Refrigerant Charging Station (R-12 and HFC-134a) or equivalent, Refrigerant Identification Equipment, Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Machine (R-12 and HFC-134a), Thermometer, Wet Bulb (Relative Humidity Measurement)

ENGINE PERFORMANCE: Engine Analyzer, Four or Five Gas Exhaust Analyzer, Fuel Injection Pressure, Gauge Sets with Adapters, Injector Pulse Tester, Logic Probe, Oxygen Sensor Socket, Pinch-off Pliers, Sending Unit Socket(s), Spark Plug Thread Tap, Spark Tester, Timing Advance Light, Vacuum/Pressure Gauge.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE: Hydraulic Pressure Gauge Set, Front Wheel Drive, Engine Support Fixture, Transaxle Removal and Installation Equipment, Transmission Jack(s), Transmission/Transaxle Flushing Equipment, Transmission/Transaxle Holding Fixtures, Transmission/Transaxle Special Tool Sets.

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: Battery Hydrometer, Connector Pick Tool Set, Door Panel Trim Tool(s), Headlight Aimer or Screen, Wire and Terminal Repair Kit.

MANUAL DRIVE TRAIN AND AXLES: Clutch Alignment Set, Clutch Pilot Bearing/Bushing, Puller/Installer, Front Wheel Drive Engine Support Fixture, Transaxle Removal and Installation Equipment, Special Tools for Transmissions/Transaxles, Transmission/Transaxle Holding Fixtures, Transmission Jack(s), Universal Joint Tools.

ENGINE REPAIR: Ball (Small Hole) Gauges, Cam Bearing Driver Set, Cylinder Deglazer, Dial Bore Indicator, Engine Stands/Benches, Inside Micrometer Set 0 - 6", 0 - 125mm, Oil Pressure Gauge, Outside Micrometer Set:, 0 - 6", 0 - 125mm, Portable Crane - 1/2 Ton, Ring Compressor, Ring Expander, Ring Groove Cleaner, Straight Edge, Telescopic Gauge Set, Torque Angle Gauge, Transaxle Removal and Installation Equipment, V-Blocks, Valve Spring Compressor, Valve Spring Tester.

These are just the basic tools and equipment for a full service shop.