Roadside repair kit?

[DougC]

Hi, I'm about to become a Stag owner - 2 weeks until I get my hands on the car after a 6 month rebuld! I'm really looking forward to driving it but I know it's a 40 year-old car, so there will be the odd occasion when it breaks down....

With that in mind, I'm planning to carry a small "get me home" roadside repair kit in the car to deal with the unexpected, so bearing in mind the known & likely problems with Stags, can any members recommend what spare parts & tools it should contain?

I'm not a mechanic, nor do I have much Stag knowledge....but I do have half a brain & I'm willing to get my hands dirty!

Thanks in advance

[marshman]

AA card and mobile phone!

I always used to load the car up with tools and spares. Have been driving old classics for years and never used what I took, any breakdown (rare) was usually a major failure and an AA relay home, so now I don't bother other than a few simple hand tools.

Seriously though as it is a rebuild you would like to think that the most that will happen is something may work loose or hasn't been tightened properly. On that basis it is mainly a basic toolkit you want so I would suggest a set of AF spanners, pliers, screwdrivers (flat, pozi, philips) various sizes, adjustable spanner. A few tyewraps, soft iron wire, length of electrical wire, multimeter & some PVC insulating tape. Haynes or Repair Operation Manual (ROM). Oh and maybe a couple of spare lamps - I always find these the biggest area of reliability for a time after a rebuild as the filaments have usually been banged about abit.

As to any spares, may be a gallon of water, engine oil (pint) and if an automatic some ATF (if a BW gearbox then make sure it is the right sort of ATF - not Dexron). Anything else such as fanbelts, points, carb diagphrams, fuel pumps etc. is probably not worth doing in my opinion as you may not want to be changing those at the side of the road if you are not experienced in the car.

Other than that just drive it and enjoy.

Roger

[barkerwilliams]

As above.

Mobile phone
AA recovery
Pack of biscuits and bottle/can of water whilst waiting for AA!!

Ensure the jack is greased, in working order and ensure you have a wheel brace
Torch

Couple of pairs of rubber gloves to keep hands clean - oil over the steering wheel and switches is not good.
Kitchen towel paper roll

5 litre camping collapsible bottle for water - you can always get water, don't need to carry it.

If the car uses Dot 5 then a small bottle of silicone fluid. Dot 5 is hard to find if you need it.

Something to kneel on - poly sheet to save you from muddy knees.

Yep and a few spanners, bulbs .and a couple of screwdrivers.

If you normally travel in light coloured or expensive clothes then an old pair of jeans and a T shirt in the boot.


Much more than a radiator top up, flat tyre or a dead bulb then call the AA.



Alan

[garyf]

as above plus
some emery cloth for cleaning up spade crimps and terminals
pair of pliers for tightening up spade crimps n terminals ie fuel pump and ignition ect
car type usb phone charger
been there done that lol

[richardthestag]

most obviously Uber app and cash to get SWMBO home as quick as possible.

Then you can concentrate on getting it fixed without a constant haranguing going on inside your head

[barkerwilliams]

....I also can recommend a minimalist emergency kit. One bottle Red, one bottle White wine, glasses & corkscrew, AA card & mobile phone.

If car breaks down use mobile and call AA. If it is a cold day drink the now chilled white wine whilst awaiting the AA. If it is a warm day drink the red wine whilst awaiting recovery.

Such a civilised way to travel.


Alan

[mole42]

....I also can recommend a minimalist emergency kit. One bottle Red, one bottle White wine, glasses & corkscrew, AA card & mobile phone.

If car breaks down use mobile and call AA. If it is a cold day drink the now chilled white wine whilst awaiting the AA. If it is a warm day drink the red wine whilst awaiting recovery.

Such a civilised way to travel.


Alan

Excellent. On the assumption that I can substitute the AA with an alternative breakdown service I will be taking your recommendation and installing the bottle carriers in my Stag immediately. I never travel without a corkscrew.

[PhilB]

Winetastic - can't wait to break down again!

[davidf]

Love the suggestions! To be serious for a moment, rather than water, I carry ready-mixed anti-freeze coolant top-up.

[mole42]

I’m not sure that antifreeze is safe to drink.

[mjheathcote]

Especially if an auto, a set of jump leads or a compact modern jump starter pack that also has USB ports for charging your phone and a built in flashlight,
I bought a 'ravpower' one off amazon, and the thing will happily turn over the Stag with the main battery disconnected completely, as a test!!

[73 Mimosa]

I would not recommend tinkering with your car at the side of the road.

[Tdm]

Have posted this pic before, it is what came out of my boot when I had to remove the petrol tank to get it re-sealed.
Only reason I carry so much is that I don't have a garage, so keep most of my spares in the boot itself.
I have cut down on the amount I now carry since the picture was taken. IMG_7122.jpg

[brian0443]

Stay safe. If you don't have hazard lights you can buy plug in amber flashers from the usual outlets or ebay.
Brian

[richardthestag]

I would not recommend tinkering with your car at the side of the road.

since when has 44 been middle aged

what a horrible story about an unidentified man. I am hoping that next of kin were already aware.

daily pissboiler - love it