What manuals are the best?

[Mark42]

There is the Clymer, Haynes, and a few others, but I also see some generic complilations on DVD for sale on ebay for about $20. Also used OEM Gm 3 vol manual sets for about $30- $50.

Any suggestions?

[BallerMaro13]

Re: What manuals are the best?

cant beat a good ol' fashioned Haynes manual IMO haha.


or just asking/searching the boards here of course :D

[OneEightSeven]

Re: What manuals are the best?

I have a Chilton's. It's better than nothing. I usually check Chilton's before starting a project even if I've done it before. I do this to make sure I don't forget something silly. So far I've found that between Chilton's, this forum and Google I've been able to do all the work I've needed to. My gripe is that it does NOT contain every procedure that you may need to do. Such as my Chilton's claiming there is no way to adjust the parking brake which I've found to be false. There are other problems as well.

With Chilton's many of the more complex procedures are too vague. If you didn't know better you'd think procedures such as a replacement of the upper & lower intake manifolds are a 15 minute job. On the other hand many of the simple procedures they document are actually overly detailed. So detailed that they've actually managed to over complicate things. For instance our water pump is a 30 minute job if you know what you're doing. Doing it the Chilton's way would easily double your work for no apparent reason.

My guess is they focus on the average driver. Drivers that are probably going to attempt simple tasks such as the water pump. It would probably not be sensible for them to focus excessively on engine tear downs and rebuilds since most people buying those books wont ever attempt this on their own.

I have heard good things about the GM factory manuals from other GM drivers. They are supposed to be a lot better, but as you noted they are more expensive. If you do end up getting a copy please let us know how detailed and easy to follow you found it to be.

[Pewter02Camaro]

Re: What manuals are the best?

I have used Haynes/Chiltons for years, at least until i got a copy of the GM Service manuals for my '02 Camaro. Nothing even comes close to the factory mauals IMO. They are year specific so make sure you were to get the right ones. They have step by step directions for anything you could possibly imagine, much more in depth than any off the shelf manaul.

[Mark42]

Re: What manuals are the best?

I can say that GM manuals (published by Helm) for other cars I've owned put Chiltons, Climer, Haynes, etc to shame. But they only cost about $25-$35 at the time brand new!!! (about 10 years ago). New GM service manual set (vol 1,2 & 3) costs about $400 for an 11 year old manual!!!!

For my boats I bought used OEM service manuals from e-bay cheap for the outboards that kicked Seloc and others butts. Granted they had some dirt smudges and wear marks, but the info and photos are unaffected by a little wear.

My big gripe with Chiltons, Climer and Haynes is they often transpose digits in numbers, leave out critical info, have low quality photos and incorrectly interprete OEM procedures. In general they have a much higher level of errors than OEM, and rarely if ever issue service manual updates to correct errors and update procedures.

I think I just convinced myself to buy the used OEM manual set from ebay.:D

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: What manuals are the best?

I have the OEM manuals and Haynes. One always seems to back the other. So I read both when I have to tackle a project. For example; Replaceing my axle bearings, it wasnt covered at all in my OEM man, but between FTv6, Cv6 and Haynes I got it done 4 times :D

If your tight on cash, get Haynes, youll be glad you did. If you can afford it, get OEM...

[pace2006]

Re: What manuals are the best?

This is what I've been told regarding manuals.

Haynes = beginners
Chilton = intermediate
Mitchell = advanced

And nothing beats the GM Tech Service manuals for in-depth diagrams and directions.

[Wolfgang427]

Re: What manuals are the best?

Factory GM F-body Helms manuals are the best and specific to your year. You can pick them up on ebay cheap if you have patience, just make sure you get all the volumes with it(usually 3, but some are 2).

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: What manuals are the best?

This is what I've been told regarding manuals.

Haynes = beginners
Chilton = intermediate
Mitchell = advanced

And nothing beats the GM Tech Service manuals for in-depth diagrams and directions.

I have not been able to discern a difference between Haynes and Chilton. I also find the factory service manuals to be unclear at times. For tough jobs, I use both a Hanyes/Chiltons and the factory service manuals.

[landj]

Re: What manuals are the best?

I have used Haynes/Chiltons for years, at least until i got a copy of the GM Service manuals for my '02 Camaro. Nothing even comes close to the factory manuals IMO. They are year specific so make sure you were to get the right ones. They have step by step directions for anything you could possibly imagine, much more in depth than any off the shelf manual.

ANY manual is in my opinion a must have for the toolbox. If not for anything but torque specifications.

I agree. GM manuals have much more detail, but at times, they can be a little to presumptive about the skill of the mechanic (they are intended for experienced mechanics). For that reason, I would buy a Chilton (or Haynes) first, then a GM manual. Chilton will make liberal use of the GM pictorials and usually will contain a bit more detail than Haynes, but still not presume you know everything and have every specialty tool (though again, some specialty tools or their equivalents are just required for certain repairs).

If you are in a bind, check out Autozone.com repair manuals (I think they require a login, but that shouldn't cost you anything).

Another option is to check out your local public library. I know our Memphis library has very large selection of both Chilton and Haynes, most for checkout.

[cam98aro]

Re: What manuals are the best?

someone on here was willing to give a username/password for ondemand5, im not sure who it is, but maybe you can contact them

that website makes the haynes manual look like a kindergarden book