Tools & Parts in the Trunk

Whether you are painting a picture, running an office or fixing your car, you are only as good as your tools. You can't do any kind of job on your car's engine if you lack the means to loosen, or remove parts, clean or gap them, reinstall them, adjust them, and test the results. Tool prices vary widely, but if you keep your eyes open and know where to go, who to talk to, and what to look for, you can get a good value at a fair price. Shop for tools in a major auto parts chain store, and stick to well-known brands. Watch the newspaper for sales; most chains have them regularly, and you can save alot of money. Buy each kind of tool in sets of different sizes, rather than buying at random. You can save money this way. Look for High grade steel with no rough edges. Buying everything at once isn't necessary to get started on you car; use the beg, borrow, and "steal-from-the-family-tool-box" methods if you must. There are five main tools you should have whether you want to work on your car or not.

I am sure that there are alot of other items, especially for the different cars. I was hoping to get a short list, and it just seemed to grow and grow, and then it required a trailer, so I began eliminating (sorry if I offended anyone). If you are that worried about repairing anything that can go wrong, just ask Billy Pyle or Joe Pawlak if they can bring their garages with them! If you are driving on longer trips it is always a good idea to carry the repair items you will need for those things you haven't repaired or are giving you problems. Of course there is always the AAA card and credit cards....etc.

But as I always say:
"TRIUMPHS NEVER LEAVE YOU STRANDED"...
These should be with you at all times:

Cell phone
Credit card
Towing card
Fire extinguisher
Insurance card and registration

Now for the "fix it" tools to carry in a tool box in the trunk of your car:

Standard Screwdrivers- small, medium
Phillips Screwdrivers or (get a multibit screwdriver)
Combination Wrenches - 1/2" X 9/16" & 3/8" X 7/16"
Allen Wrenches
Socket Wrenches - 3/8"
Adjustable Wrench - one that opens to 2"
Ball-Peen Hammer
Combination Slip-joint Pliers
Needle-nose Pliers
Wire Cutters
Feeler Guage
Flashlight- large and small one - if possible
Rags - clean and lint free
Spark plug wrench
Black Electrical Tape
Pocket knife

Oops those little extras!

Fuses
Light bulbs for your car
Assortment of nuts, bolts, and washers
Motor oil (at least 1 quart)
Fan belt
Points, condenser, rotor
Assortment of hose clamps
Spark plugs (Note to Jack Billimack - one per cylinder!)
Cotter pins
Small spool of 16 gauge wire
Repair manuals for your car
Flares
Hose bandages
Repair kits for brake & clutch master, slave, wheel cylinder, caliper.
Jack and handle for jack
Pry bar for hubcaps
Lug nut wrench - cross type is nice
Duct tape - some say nothing is like 3M
Paper and pencil
Can of tire-inflate
Electric fuel pump (low pressure)
Two-Part epoxy
Gasket sealer

Note: There is no substitute for maintaining your Triumph and addressing any problems before you go anywhere. If you are experiencing problems, fix it at home in the safety of your driveway and not on the shoulder with cars whizzing by at 70 mph. While unexpected failures can occur, there is no excuse to be stranded if you were thinking, "it's not so bad, I'll get to it later". Editor

By Gloria "Queenie" Cappetto