Preparedness and redundancy

OK, I thought this might make for an interesting discussion - provided it doesn't get pushed off the rails by stupidity. Lets give peace a chance shall we.

I think most people prepare their cars to a certain level and carry 'common' spares with them - but I've seen a few things lately that make me wonder exactly how 'common' spares are defined.

What do you carry as spares in the car and how prepared are you to deal with mechanical problems on stage or transits. What redundant systems do you have on-board.
There are obvious ones: Spare tire, spare fluids, accessory belts, cable ties, duct tape. How many have a spare intercom in the car? Spare map-lights built into the car?

In another thread John suggested a spare throttle cable that was pre-installed in the car, ready for a quick swap as needed. Is that overkill? Have we seen enough throttle cables broken to suggest this is a prudent idea or can broken throttle cables be an indication of a problem with preparation. (IE: not adjusting the 'stop' for teh throttle pedal once the carpet etc. have been removed, giving more throw at the end of travel and thus stressing the cable more - really, they don't fail regularly road use do they?)

I guess what I'm saying is that if you're carrying spares, or have redundant systems, then there is an expectation the part or system might fail. Isn't the first step, then, to look at the failures and try and prevent them.

Before anyone gets their knickers in a bunch - I am in no way pointing fingers or calling out anyone's work on this. I don't have a hidden agenda and I'm not trying to start a war.

---

First Rally: 2001
Driver (7), Co-Driver (44)
Drivers (16)
Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4)
Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0)
Last Updated, January 4, 2015

Quote
john vanlandingham
Blame is for idiots. losers.

We pack spare axles in Brian's civic, once we did that they stopped breaking...

It's like rallys version of Murphy's Law: if you don't bring it, you'll need it.

Each CV
Full dizzy
Water pump
2 Throttle cables
2 clutch cables
2 motor mounts
both hoses
4 fuel pump relays
fuel pump
1 rear wheel bearing kit
1 front

Thats all set aside to go in the mudbunny once its on the ground.

I had a brand new made in germany throttle cable break, I'm going for the dual install, clutch cable too. I had the spare cylindeer head with me and it only got us 4 miles into OT. Rally aint easy.

Quote
alkun
I had a brand new made in germany throttle cable break

Do you know why it broke?

---

First Rally: 2001
Driver (7), Co-Driver (44)
Drivers (16)
Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4)
Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0)
Last Updated, January 4, 2015

Quote
john vanlandingham
Blame is for idiots. losers.

Maybe I'm having a stroke but I have no idea what a 'full dizzy' is.
And to clarify - you're saying you'll take all that in the car ON STAGE?
2x throttle and clutch cables seems excessive and probably points to another problem. In the decade I've been around I can only think of a couple of instances of throttle cable issues - usually linkage problems, not cable failure.

Quote
Racinkid13
Each CV
Full dizzy
Water pump
2 Throttle cables
2 clutch cables
2 motor mounts
both hoses
4 fuel pump relays
fuel pump
1 rear wheel bearing kit
1 front

Thats all set aside to go in the mudbunny once its on the ground.

---

First Rally: 2001
Driver (7), Co-Driver (44)
Drivers (16)
Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4)
Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0)
Last Updated, January 4, 2015

Quote
john vanlandingham
Blame is for idiots. losers.

Never broke a throttle cable in all the miles and years and different cars I rallied..or owned for that matter. Weber (dual single, side or downdraft), DeLorto, Mikuni, SU, Carter and stock Hitachi..no problems. Adjust the throttle travel is an important step.

I used to carry 1 qt oil, 1 gal coolant, a couple hose clamps, racer tape and a handful of nuts and bolts.

I never really rallied a FWD so had no common breakables...old Datsuns, Mazdas and Mitsus were pretty tough.

Anything very serious and yer poked anyway. If you have a spare fremlich the gramlich will break instead. Carry a spare pop, tp and a camera. Car breaks, take crap, piss on the time card and get some good pics...

The length of the stages, length of the event and your standing in the points should play a role in your parts selection.

---

Robert.

"You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli.

Quote
Morison

Quote
alkun
I had a brand new made in germany throttle cable break

Do you know why it broke?

It was actually the nylon adjuster screw that the cable passes through, so it still works but is highly suspect, like everything in my car (EXCEPT THE SUSPENSION AND WIRING). I had the cable installed at a high end volvo garage, I confirmed it was the right model, hard to believe the 35 year volvo mechanic botched the intall, but it was snapped when I got home.

but yeah the only reasons for one to break are bad installation, out of adjustment, or just really bad luck.

Things were so fubarred last weekend, I almost brought a folding chair.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2012 01:43PM by alkun.

Zip-ties
Racer tape
Oil
brake fluid
Water (in bicycle water bottles for drinking but could be used for coolant)
spare tire
Bailing wire (stiff wire)
fuel pump relay
fuses & fused pigtail
Vice grips --small and large
spare ratcheting strap
I think I have a spare flexible brake line too
And of course tools, gloves, jack, flashlight/headlamp


Sure, we could carry tie-rods and ends (left and right)
Axles
Ball joints
Stub axles
wheel bearings
fuel pumps
Motor mounts
Hoses
Belts
Alternator
spare ECU
etc but instead we check these items pre event and during service to lessen the chance we might need one of these items on stage.

---

____________________________________________________________-

One. Class -- 2WD

www.quantumrallysport.com

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Quantum-Rally-Sport/281129179600?ref=nf

How about redundancy? How many people are running:
Twin fuel pumps?
Two intercoms?
Stock odo in addition to Rally odo?

---

First Rally: 2001
Driver (7), Co-Driver (44)
Drivers (16)
Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4)
Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0)
Last Updated, January 4, 2015

Quote
john vanlandingham
Blame is for idiots. losers.

Quote
Josh Wimpey
Zip-ties
Racer tape
Oil
brake fluid
Water (in bicycle water bottles for drinking but could be used for coolant)
spare tire
Bailing wire (stiff wire)
fuel pump relay
fuses & fused pigtail
Vice grips --small and large
spare ratcheting strap
I think I have a spare flexible brake line too
And of course tools, gloves, jack, flashlight/headlamp


Sure, we could carry tie-rods and ends (left and right)
Axles
Ball joints
Stub axles
wheel bearings
fuel pumps
Motor mounts
Hoses
Belts
Alternator
spare ECU
etc but instead we check these items pre event and during service to lessen the chance we might need one of these items on stage.

Pretty much this. Changing an axle on stage wouldn't help much. Sure, you might not DNF but if it takes ~4 min for most people to change a flat it seems, an axle will be quite a bit longer in the woods. If you were fighting for a podium finish, you just lost it to swap an axle. Get towed to service and try to re-enter for fun for the remaining of the day.

Every item I carry is more of a "limp to service" fix. Broken brake line? Vise grip it shut, zip tie the vice grips shut and zip tie it out of the way. Rotor/wheel/pad failure but working caliper? Put a rock inside the caliper and zip tie it out of the way. If the car is eating oil I'll bring oil but otherwise I don't. Coolant = drinking water or nearest river if you REALLY need it. Belts maybe only an alternator belt since that's the only one you REALLY need to keep going.

Quote
Morison
How about redundancy? How many people are running:
Twin fuel pumps?
Two intercoms?
Stock odo in addition to Rally odo?

F- the fuel pump relay, just make a bypass to put the pump "always on" that will cut with your master power switch. Use the same relays you use everywhere. Run a 60A relay to power your cigarette power plug, so if you blow your light relay you can give up charging your phone for lights.

I had thought of twin fuel pumps though. But I'm not sure if I should just replace them at a semi-annual basis and accept it as a wear item. I'm doing the same with axles.

Intercoms, just yell if it breaks.

Odometer? People use those? :-D



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2012 02:02PM by BillyElliot.

Quote
BillyElliot
Intercoms, just yell if it breaks.

I've had intercoms fail for a number of reasons - from batteries dying to just being crap intercoms - the ability to switch plugs and get clear communications back was fantastic. Of course that only applies if you listen to your co-driver.

Quote
BillyElliot
Odometer? People use those? :-D

Last weekend was the first time in the new area for Oregon Trail. A working ODO was hugely appreciated on the transits. Not that needed on stage, but did come in handy once or twice on stage.

---

First Rally: 2001
Driver (7), Co-Driver (44)
Drivers (16)
Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4)
Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0)
Last Updated, January 4, 2015

Quote
john vanlandingham
Blame is for idiots. losers.

Quote
Morison
Maybe I'm having a stroke but I have no idea what a 'full dizzy' is.
And to clarify - you're saying you'll take all that in the car ON STAGE?
2x throttle and clutch cables seems excessive and probably points to another problem. In the decade I've been around I can only think of a couple of instances of throttle cable issues - usually linkage problems, not cable failure.

Quote
Racinkid13
Each CV
Full dizzy
Water pump
2 Throttle cables
2 clutch cables
2 motor mounts
both hoses
4 fuel pump relays
fuel pump
1 rear wheel bearing kit
1 front

Thats all set aside to go in the mudbunny once its on the ground.

The CV's are ify. Other then that, yes, Dizzy, Distributor. All of this is relatively small for the Rabbit. So itll all pack well. I dry fit everything except the CV's(hence why they are ify).

Edit: this is what i hauiled around in my other mk1 daily, tho add to it a smaller tool box. Ive been trying to figure out the best set up for tools as well in the mudbunny.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2012 05:40PM by Racinkid13.

Max, you've had dizzie die? What dies? Its kinda the same crap as everybody used isn't it (Hall effect)? They die?
Do you have in place that grey ring that goes on before the dizzie cap?

You have 2 of the ignition amps in place already? I've seen thsoe fawkers die one start up to the next, no warning..

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

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