Cal Club Autocross Forums

I need a recommnedation for a complete tool set that should cover most track needs. What do you guys have/bring with you to the track? Is harbor freight stuff good enough or I should just buck up and go to sears?

Also, what types of spare parts should one have on hand at the track?

Theo Osifeso wrote:I need a recommnedation for a complete tool set that should cover most track needs. What do you guys have/bring with you to the track? Is harbor freight stuff good enough or I should just buck up and go to sears?

Also, what types of spare parts should one have on hand at the track?

Depends on what you expect to break. I'll be bringing axles and a differential to Lincoln along with the tools to install them. While Harbor Freight tools aren't the greatest quality, most are adequate for a hobbyist. The HF rachets stink. Their aluminum jack stands are nice. $30 a pair with coupon. Get on their email list. Anything that can't be changed quickly or requires special tools would probably not be practical changing at the event.

Actually, I really like the HF composite rachets. They are blue/black. Very ergonomic and lightweight.
I know quite a few guys with nothing but highend tool brands in the chest that have given in to the beauty of these cheapies....

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth ... 66313.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Theo Osifeso wrote: Also, what types of spare parts should one have on hand at the track?

Fuel Injector o-rings.

Randy Chase wrote:

Theo Osifeso wrote: Also, what types of spare parts should one have on hand at the track?

Fuel Injector o-rings.

Speaking from experience? Such a small thing can really be a bummer

This actually got me thinking , where are the fuel injectors on my E36? Given 200k+ miles, I shouldn't be surprised when they fail.

My list for part's so far
===================
1. Extra O2 sensor (Good thing my car only has one)
2. Swaybar end links
3. Rear shock lower bolt (I manage to break one once)
4. Spare coil pack (At least 1 or 2)

....

Back when I had a car, I carried the most-used sizes of sockets and Gear wrenches, a couple of ratchets, flex handle, couple of screw drivers, nut drivers, spring-clamp pliers [for those PITA clamps Mazda uses on water and fuel hoses], Rescue Tape, cable ties, tire valve cores and tool

Spares included couple different sizes of spring clamps [yes they're PITA but they keep constant pressure over the life of the hose from what Doganis says, so I'm a convert], those small Miata water hoses that you can't get at Pimp Boyz, fluids, fuses. If I were going to an away race I'd take another set of brake pads. My car didn't break like Bill's so I didn't need to haul as much stuff. }:)

Damn I miss my car.

George Schilling wrote:Their aluminum jack stands are nice. $30 a pair with coupon. Get on their email list. Anything that can't be changed quickly or requires special tools would probably not be practical changing at the event.

Theo, I have an extra pair of HF aluminum jackstands, if you want them. Let me know and I'll bring them to the event on Sat./Sun.

Randy Chase wrote:

Theo Osifeso wrote: Also, what types of spare parts should one have on hand at the track?

Fuel Injector o-rings.

Oddly enough Randy, I had those on my truck. Bill just never asked me. You never know what a plumber might have with him.

I also carry valve core stems, tire plugs and nitrogen for a quick tire fix. `

Patch aka "McGiever" is my hero when it comes to being prepared for anything. :gpower:

Anytime I needed something Patch would have it.

Emergency repair kit should include emergency tape, duct tape, zip ties, and JB Weld. :ibrightdea:

Here's one of my new favorites:

http://www.rescuetape.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Available through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Tape-RP256 ... B000ZTM734" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Make sure you have a spare diff bolt too:
#17 here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=33&fg=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And I also suggest you remove the diff bolt that's currently in your car and notch the end of it so you can use a screwdriver to easily remove the broken bolt. May as well do it on your spare bolt too.

Always have spare wheel studs and lugnuts (or a spare bolt or two if you're still using bolts.)

Mike

George Schilling wrote:

Randy Chase wrote:

Theo Osifeso wrote: Also, what types of spare parts should one have on hand at the track?

Fuel Injector o-rings.

Oddly enough Randy, I had those on my truck. Bill just never asked me. You never know what a plumber might have with him.

I also carry valve core stems, tire plugs and nitrogen for a quick tire fix. `

We walked around and both asked many people, but half the people were running or working... and we only had a very short time to fix the car. I kept asking Bill to let me try my crazy idea of hand making an o-ring. I used the words "humor me" and "if nothing else, it will keep me busy." I swear I could have done it on the by just rubbing it on the concrete as an abrasive too.

Some nice "Dual Marked" Crapsman tools are on sale at Sears right now for $59 + Tax/Shipping (or pickup)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 0383&aff=Y

Mike Simanyi wrote:
Make sure you have a spare diff bolt too:
#17 here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=33&fg=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And I also suggest you remove the diff bolt that's currently in your car and notch the end of it so you can use a screwdriver to easily remove the broken bolt.

Agree on the diffbolt, they are such a weak point I don't think I would even re-install a used bolt.

Hey Theo,

As far as a toolset, I received one of those 200+ piece sets as a gift. It came in a flat fold out case where everything snaps into place. I found having an organized set is waaay easier to use and pack at a race than anything I could bring from my rollaway. It also has been borrowed many times. Costco has it for 1/2 the $ of the link:
http://www.gotgreattools.com/crescent-2 ... l-set.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rick

Richard Jung wrote:Hey Theo,

As far as a toolset, I received one of those 200+ piece sets as a gift. It came in a flat fold out case where everything snaps into place. I found having an organized set is waaay easier to use and pack at a race than anything I could bring from my rollaway. It also has been borrowed many times. Costco has it for 1/2 the $ of the link:

Rick

+1 for this set. I have the exact same set at work and my set, just like Rick's gets borrowed A LOT!
It's a decent set but what makes it nicer than the $99/199 200-piece Craftsman box is that you can actually open it without having all the tools spill out.

I need a recommnedation for a complete tool set that should cover most track needs.

MC or Visa with a $25,000 limit.

John Coffey wrote:

I need a recommnedation for a complete tool set that should cover most track needs.

MC or Visa with a $25,000 limit.

funny, but not sure how this will help. But then I would have paid $25,000 for an O2 sensor in Wendover

funny, but not sure how this will help. But then I would have paid $25,000 for an O2 sensor in Wendover

Money solves all race car problems. For about $1,000 of that credit card limit you could have had a local mechanic pick up the O2 sensor, drive out to the event, and install it on your car. You wouldn't have needed any tools at all.

I second the spare lug nuts and wheels studs. I carry a set of metric thread files from Snap-On.
Tire valve core tool and spare cores.
Tire plug kit.
I've got a tool box full of ratchet handles from 1/4" to 1/2" drive, sockets from 8mm to 21mm, plus 23mm and 24mm for the diff and transmission fill plugs on my car. Lots of extensions.
Two trays of metric box wrenches (so I always have a pair of the same size).
Large and small adjustable wrenches
Grease
electrical tape
duct tape
zip ties.
diagonal cutters
needle nose pliers
channel lock pliers
etc

John Stimson wrote:I second the spare lug nuts and wheels studs.

And the tools needed to change a lug stud. My truck needed a 7mm allen to get the caliper off, and a mini sledge to pound out the lug stud. Not things easily found at 6:30am.

Jay W

True -- the S2000 requires pressing out the wheel bearing! Which is why I have thread files and haven't bothered to buy spare studs. If more than one ever snaps off, I am toast. I figure I can limp it home if I have 4 out of 5 studs intact.

On the other hand, all sorts of things look like hammers if you didn't bring an actual hammer...can't help you with the 7mm Allen key though.

George Schilling wrote: Depends on what you expect to break. I'll be bringing axles and a differential to Lincoln along with the tools to install them. While Harbor Freight tools aren't the greatest quality, most are adequate for a hobbyist. The HF rachets stink. Their aluminum jack stands are nice. $30 a pair with coupon. Get on their email list. Anything that can't be changed quickly or requires special tools would probably not be practical changing at the event.

Haha... John you can change studs on the S2K w/o pressing out the bearings, or did I misunderstand you?

I bought a second Dewalt battery powered light and a 2 gal battery powered wet/Dry vacuum for this year Jason, haha.