ausmini :: View topic - What do you carry in your car? spares? Tools? etc

Good topic and responses ought to be guided by notion that it is "better to have and not need than to need and not have".
Fortunately, I have not been let down on any transcontinental return trip in North America after preparing the Mini.

Yes lost a #3 exhaust valve in Quebec but replaced in the Ile Bizard, Montreal shop of Keith D. with Mr. Calver and Mr. Dodd as helpers. Funnily enough, when I checked the Mini over next morning inside the walled city of Quebec, the spark plugs were all loose. Too many hands, too little focus.

Had an "S" drive flange fail returning across the US in 2006. They go quietly until you hear the "tap, tap, tap" then nothing, then "tap, tap, tap, tap", then nothing, then "tap, tap" UNTIL it hits you ONLY WHEN TURNING LEFT (or right in another case). Mini was jacked up at RH front corner in Sparwood, B.C. just through the Crowsnest Pass on a Sunday afternoon...and the hub nut was loose to my fingertips.

What to do - no spare upright, no spare drive flange, yes bearings but not likely them. Retorque to 150 ft.lbs. plus and head home overnight...tip toeing around left handers. 1,020 miles after setting out in Montana and driving through four mountain ranges (including the highest pass in B.C.) we were home in B.C.'s Fraser Valley with 75 ft. lbs. of torque left at the RH front.

Of course, if you don't drive the little beauties, making a list and checking it twice doesn't matter.

Photo just east of Crowsnest Pass when heading east in 2009 to a continental Mini Meet East Meets West in Winona, Minnesota, USA.

Rocky Mountains in the distance to the west.

Author:	ryan [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:	What do you carry in your car? spares? Tools? etc
So what does everybody carry in their mini in terms of tools, spares, oils etc in case of a breakdown. I have a tool kit and some basic spares but I'd love to have a checklist to make sure I've not forgotten anything.

Author:	kuzzy [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:
RACQ phone number

Author:	Hanra [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:45 pm ]
Post subject:
Polishing cloth.

Author:	ryan [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:
kuzzy wrote: RACQ phone number Fair call.....but sometimes its easier and quicker to fix it yourself then it is to wait an hour for the RACQ/NRMA (insert state equal) guy to turn up, have a quick look and say he cant fix it only to have it towed. So, I've started a list. I'm sure I've missed bits, but that's why I started this thread. Tools Spanners 7/16 1/2 9/16 Adjustable Hammer Screwdrivers Pliers Clippers Wheel brace Tape Cable ties Tie wire Knife/blade Torch/worklight Rag Gloves Jumper leads Hazard sign/cone/triangle Consumables WD40 Coolant/water Oil Spares Points/condenser/dizzy cap/rotor Wheel Bearing Grease

Author:	ryan [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:
Hanra wrote: Polishing cloth. portable carcoon for sudden rain.

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What do you carry in your car? spares? Tools? etc https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=68074	Page 1 of 3

Author:	Hanra [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:
iPhone with B.O.M App so always know where clouds are. If in doubt, stay home.

Author:	ryan [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:11 pm ]
Post subject:
edited to add fuses ryan wrote: kuzzy wrote: RACQ phone number Fair call.....but sometimes its easier and quicker to fix it yourself then it is to wait an hour for the RACQ/NRMA (insert state equal) guy to turn up, have a quick look and say he cant fix it only to have it towed. So, I've started a list. I'm sure I've missed bits, but that's why I started this thread. Tools Spanners 7/16 1/2 9/16 Adjustable Hammer Screwdrivers Pliers Clippers Wheel brace Tape Cable ties Tie wire Knife/blade Torch/worklight Rag Gloves Jumper leads Hazard sign/cone/triangle Consumables WD40 Coolant/water Oil fuses Spares Points/condenser/dizzy cap/rotor Wheel Bearing Grease

Author:	simon k [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:
if I'm going more than 100k's I throw in my whole toolbox that has everything, but otherwise I'm lucky if I have a spare wheel in the boot...

Author:	Dylans Clubby [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:40 pm ]
Post subject:
A coathanger, in case you need to strap on your exhaust in a pinch, and it won't melt plastic all over your pipe. and it will hold better (mine's been held with a coathanger for just over two years... gotta get around to that!) spare "cottonreel" mounts, the rod change assembly is held up by one of these, also the rearmost exhaust mount. A tyre pressure guage couln't hurt. Spare batteries for torch. fuel can/jerry can (whatever you want to call it.) make sure it's EMPTY!

Author:	sgc [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:45 pm ]
Post subject:
Dylan's Clubby wrote: fuel can/jerry can (whatever you want to call it.) make sure it's EMPTY! Empty!? What good is that?? I carry a PLASTIC one in the boot, full at all times. I tend to either a) run dry accidentally, or b) use it every few fills to keep it fresh. BTW, never carry a metal fuel can in the boot.. it'll try to kill you by finding a way to short across the battery terminals. Ask me how I know Like Simon, I tend to carry my whole toolbox around with me (but mine fits behind the passenger seat and stays in the car permanently). That and the usual fluids..

Author:	Hunter2 [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:
Good topic and responses ought to be guided by notion that it is "better to have and not need than to need and not have". Fortunately, I have not been let down on any transcontinental return trip in North America after preparing the Mini. Yes lost a #3 exhaust valve in Quebec but replaced in the Ile Bizard, Montreal shop of Keith D. with Mr. Calver and Mr. Dodd as helpers. Funnily enough, when I checked the Mini over next morning inside the walled city of Quebec, the spark plugs were all loose. Too many hands, too little focus. Had an "S" drive flange fail returning across the US in 2006. They go quietly until you hear the "tap, tap, tap" then nothing, then "tap, tap, tap, tap", then nothing, then "tap, tap" UNTIL it hits you ONLY WHEN TURNING LEFT (or right in another case). Mini was jacked up at RH front corner in Sparwood, B.C. just through the Crowsnest Pass on a Sunday afternoon...and the hub nut was loose to my fingertips. What to do - no spare upright, no spare drive flange, yes bearings but not likely them. Retorque to 150 ft.lbs. plus and head home overnight...tip toeing around left handers. 1,020 miles after setting out in Montana and driving through four mountain ranges (including the highest pass in B.C.) we were home in B.C.'s Fraser Valley with 75 ft. lbs. of torque left at the RH front. Of course, if you don't drive the little beauties, making a list and checking it twice doesn't matter. Photo just east of Crowsnest Pass when heading east in 2009 to a continental Mini Meet East Meets West in Winona, Minnesota, USA. Rocky Mountains in the distance to the west.

Author:	bamnfi [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:
Hunter2 wrote: Good topic and responses ought to be guided by notion that it is "better to have and not need than to need and not have". Fortunately, I have not been let down on any transcontinental return trip in North America after preparing the Mini. Yes lost a #3 exhaust valve in Quebec but replaced in the Ile Bizard, Montreal shop of Keith D. with Mr. Calver and Mr. Dodd as helpers. Funnily enough, when I checked the Mini over next morning inside the walled city of Quebec, the spark plugs were all loose. Too many hands, too little focus. Had an "S" drive flange fail returning across the US in 2006. They go quietly until you hear the "tap, tap, tap" then nothing, then "tap, tap, tap, tap", then nothing, then "tap, tap" UNTIL it hits you ONLY WHEN TURNING LEFT (or right in another case). Mini was jacked up at RH front corner in Sparwood, B.C. just through the Crowsnest Pass on a Sunday afternoon...and the hub nut was loose to my fingertips. What to do - no spare upright, no spare drive flange, yes bearings but not likely them. Retorque to 150 ft.lbs. plus and head home overnight...tip toeing around left handers. 1,020 miles after setting out in Montana and driving through four mountain ranges (including the highest pass in B.C.) we were home in B.C.'s Fraser Valley with 75 ft. lbs. of torque left at the RH front. Of course, if you don't drive the little beauties, making a list and checking it twice doesn't matter. Photo just east of Crowsnest Pass when heading east in 2009 to a continental Mini Meet East Meets West in Winona, Minnesota, USA. Rocky Mountains in the distance to the west. Great post and love that pic! Me? I am with Hanra. iPhone and BOM app. I would add cash, credit card and taxi coy. number..

Author:	awdmoke [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:
I don't see cable ties, inulated copper wire or fencing wire (OK, coathanger) on your consumables list. My whole toolbag goes in or nothing at all.

Author:	Kennomini [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:
Is anyone going to mention a jack? My basic kit is; tie wire/fencing wire, claw hammer, rubber mallet, 10 or 12 inch shifter, vice grips, side cutters, pointy nose pliers, regular pliers, small socket set, screwdrivers, big and small, duck tape & electrical tape, high vis vest, rain coat, torch, cash, spare nuts and breaker bar + sockets to fit mag and spare wheel nuts, scissor jack, 1/2" bar for hitting things, rags, water, fuses & bulbs, jumper/emergency clothes that can get dirty. I know some guys carry fan belts, spark plugs, condenser, points, WD40, deep sockets.

Author:	Irish Yobbo [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:08 pm ]
Post subject:
Things I bring: Jack Bottle of coolant Shifting spanner I must trust the mini a little more than most - I drive about 90km every day during the uni semester. I often carry spare oil too.

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