Spare Parts List

[driveclimbslide]

So in an effort to be way over prepared, I'm trying to come up with a list of spare parts I need to collect. I figured more than a few people here know the stuff that tends to go out first and get damaged more frequently than others. If you want to add to what I got going, please do. Also, if there is something that you think is absolutely crucial to have extra, please say so. Keep in mind this is to bring to races and to be repaired/replaced at service. Thanks!

Here's what I've come up with so far.

At least two full sized spare wheels/tires
Axles/CVs all around
Wheel bearings all around
L/R Control Arms
L/R Lateral Links
Oil Filter
Spark Plugs
Brake Pads
Struts
Light bulbs
Battery
Full Compliment of fluids


What do you think is worth to get out of these?
Center Diff
Rear Diff
Turbo
Downpipe

[carl]

spare turbo would be good. also spare rotors. tie rods, ball joints and endlinks are also important. brake lines, radiator and engine mounts.

[williaty]

unibody













Though to be serious, replacements for all your fuses and relays.

[BenSlocum]

PM AlbaScoob, he's about the best prepared driver I've ridden with. He's got a very well organized system, not just of parts, but of tools and methods.

[KevinWelker]

don't bother with the wheel bearings, not much chance you would be swapping one out in a service, even over night. It would be much better to find decent used hub & knuckle assemblies, if they have decent ball joints, even better!!

That looks like a good list, if you have the space and can find one, grab a spare radiator and associated hoses. Be sure to wrap it up good so it doesn't get cracked.

Also really helpful is something to deal with broken glass. Nets to cover the side windows and clear film tint to "laminate" the inside of a cracked windscreen that would let you slide by the safety steward. I need to get this myself, it would be a shame to have to DNF because of some cracked glass. Oh, safety goggles also, to keep the glass particles from blowing into your eyes.

Lugnuts, lots of lugnuts, sometimes they go missing and every shape and size of extra nut and bolt you can find. Throw them into a big rugged box or container and bring them to every rally. You'll eventually need something in there.

An extra coil pack and plugs can also come in handy.

center diff, rear diff, downpipe, turbo. If you have the skill and ambition to change any of these in a service, bring them, if you don't then don't bother. If you are going that far out, a rear subframe is good to have too, it's swappable in a lunch/dinner service too.

Lines, belts and hoses too, also extra for fuel and brakes so that you can patch some carnage. And tape in its various forms: duct, metalized, silicone emergency tape, electrical tape, I've even used medical tape for some things.

[thewizard]

No matter how well you are prepared you always need the part you thought you had a slim chance you need.

Anyhow, I will add to your list:
Oil Pan
Fuel Pump(s)
PS Pump
Flexible Hoses/Lines for all fluids
All sorts of bolts, nuts and rivets along with sheet metal
Electrical wire/connectors
Accesory Belt particularly Alternator belt and keep it in the car!
Windshield (although not necessary ask Slocum) :)

Depending on the type of event and the car you may or may not need some other stuff. For instance the VWs have weakish rear beams and stub axles. If you are running a stock Subaru gearbox, carrying a gearbox is another good idea. If you have the room and the parts bring everything you could think of. Most of the time you will need to make do with what you or others competing have. Sometimes it also helps to use your imagination.

I also always keep fuses, pre cut and prepared electrical wire and connectors, duct tape, various sized hose clamps (Got us back on the road at IRNY), a flexible radiator hose, galvanized wire, alternator belt, cotter pins etc... in the car. I always keep a 13 mm wrench in my seat as it is one of the most needed tools for a VW.

[driveclimbslide]

Great advice from everyone, thank you.

[Daniel B]

http://www.princessauto.com/tools/auto-repair/auto-repair/8004135-ball-joint-separator?keyword=ball+joint

^^^ one of those.

Incredible for getting ball joints out of lower control arms. A small collection of pullers and pry's will go a long, long way when you need to remove things quickly.

[d'cheat]

Water pump and Alternator! Those fail more often that you'd like.

[REDrum]

FWIW...we base our spares on what we think we can change w/in the time constraints, be it a 1 or 2 day event. A 2 day event as a regoinal team we pretty much have all night.

Based on our service team skill set and experince, here is what we will not consider changing for either a 1 or 2 day event:
-Transmission swap
-Front or center diff
-Clutch
-Long block
-Timing belt et al
-Oil pump
-Front cross member
-Wheel bearings (we bring full hubs)
-Windshield (space constraint)

In addition to what everyone else has noted, we also bring a spare ECU pretuned. And we are about to buy window nets incase we bust a side window.