#RepairKit
Piston Slap: Prudent Tool Packing or Junk in the Trunk?
K.P. writes:
Hi Sajeev,
It’s the time of year to start tossing out little-used items so we can get more to replace them. One place I’m looking at is the car. I recall my stash of trunk tools back in the dinosaur years while driving the kind of cars I could afford then:
- Duct tape for interior tears, dropped ceiling linings, fixing plastic over windows that dropped off tracks, etc
- Pack of “L’eggs” panty hose as temporary water pump belt
- Wire clothes hanger as spare exhaust pipe clamp or antenna
- Can of WD-40
- Long Craftsman slot screwdriver to pop off distributor cap, prying tires, etc
- Lug wrench and two-foot pipe as lever (also as protection device)
- Couple of flashlights with huge 6V batteries
- Visegrips as combination wrench, hammer, and spare window crank for when your little brother yanks the handles off
- Bottle radiator leak stop
- Tire repair kit with rubber plugs
- Blankets and food in winter (since without cell phones it could be a while until rescue)
It’s been years since I’ve thrown a belt or had a flat tire, which makes me think it’s time to update what I keep on hand in the car on cross-country trips. What’s prudent nowadays?
Sajeev Mehta
Mar 02, 2018
79
Recent Comments