Your mechanical questions answered.

Qualified mechanic Adam Adler has spent half his life under the bonnet of a 4WD and has worked for some of the top accessory companies and workshops. He knows what it takes to get your vehicle out there and back home in one piece. He runs the online aftermarket store www.nutsabout4WD.com.au

SPARE PARTS KIT

Adam,

I’m setting up a spares kit to keep in my rig. Just wanted to check in with you for things that I may not have thought to take. Can you suggest anything that you see a lot of people forget.

Thanks mate!

Anton, Melbourne, Vic.

Hey Anton,

Yep, I’ve helped set up a few spares boxes in the past for customers.

Things that most folk don’t think of are spare fuses, so make sure you check the specific type of fuses your 4WD takes before you take off.

I also give customers a few new valves for their tyres. It’s pretty easy to lose a valve when you are letting down your tyres. They are really the two main things I can think of, from there you go into spare hoses and hose clamps, belts, nuts and bolts. I like to also suggest things like tape, cable ties and wire ties.

If you’re travelling in a group and you all drive the same 4WD then a great idea is to split up parts depending on how big a trip you’re doing. One rig can take a front shock, another a rear shock, and this way you don’t get stuck with a boot full of parts.

Something that doesn’t hurt is a code reader. Sometimes with these new 4WDs you can get trouble codes or engine lights pop up. It might help to have a cheap code reader that you can use to check and clear lights with.

It might help if you need to phone someone for advice or if the 4WD goes into limp mode and you can’t drive it correctly being able to check and clear a light might just help.

Hope that helps, Anton.

GO NUTS!

Adam