Hi,

I was curious to know if there’s a specific range of spanners / socket sizes that are frequently used on a Magna TL?

I’m asking because I’m relocating from Perth over to Brisbane in a couple of weeks and my wife and I have set aside approx. two months to be on the road seeing the sites en route. I have a Stanley 132 Piece Tool Kit in the hard case but it’s way too heavy (13kg) and takes up too much room in the boot so was hoping to get a smaller canvas bag to store a collection of the more frequently used tools, plus a torque wrench.

I have the RAC roadside cover but don’t want to totally rely on them and like to know I have something to fall back on ;-)

Any advice is appreciated.

Many thanks,

Andrew

Here's the route if anyone's interested ;-)


http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a548/conanthedestroya222/theroute_zpsa707bd0d-1.jpg

When I was posted in Townsville, and I went on courses in other states, I always took my car and I would always take a small Stanley 1/4" and 3/8 drive combo socket set plus a Screwdriver set. Never had to use it, but at least it was small and could live in the spare wheel or under the seats.
They are good cars, get a service dome on all fluids and a check over and you shouldn't have any problems.
Mine has been across Aus 3 times and up and down the East coast countless times and didn't play up once.

Us older drivers would carry spare coolant, hoses, 12V air pump, oil, belts and the tools to change them.
Lots of room for tools in the spare tyre compartment, stash as many as you think you will need in there - 10 mm to 17 mm sockets, ring spanners; screwdrivers etc and wrap them up in rags so they don't rattle.

A second spare wheel, if you have room. Check your jack is ok to use.
Checking oil and coolant levels every morning or at each petrol stop until you get a feel for how much the car uses on a long trip at higher speeds is always a good idea.
Check your jack is ok to use.

Of course your car needs a good checkout before you go.
Don't forget food and drinks for occupants of the car. Non salty, light foods is best (tomato and cucumber sandwiches, for example), as is water, to reduce on toilet stops.

Sunscreen and towels to hang in side windows when the Sun blasts in, recommended.
Watch out for wildlife!
Watch out for roadtrains!
Have Fun!

Hi,

I was curious to know if there’s a specific range of spanners / socket sizes that are frequently used on a Magna TL?



I assume the TL is the same as my ex Th and current TJ, the mini socket holder has a 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16mm socket - frankly anything bigger isn't going to be an easy roadside fix, I have a the 10,12, 14 and 16 in a long socket (for the nuts on long bolts) same goes for spanners, open ended, ring and usefully as much as possible offset ring spanner.

Always travel with 3M electrical tape (not the cheap shit) it binds very well as a temp patch for busted radiator hoses.

but the biggest tip is to carry at the least 10L of water - you can drink it, fill the car with it, cool with it, it makes waiting by the car if you really get stuck a possibility.

That's one awesome trip you have planned, quite jealous down here! I have a 'car kit' of tools in a roll-up bag thing from Supa-cheap, with those tools most likely to be needed when some roadside 'bush mechanics' is called for (which is VERY rare on the TJ). It includes a set of combo ring/open ended spanners from about 8mm up to (I think) 22mm, 4 or 5 screwdrivers of different types and sizes, a pair of multi-grip pliers, a multi-tester, and (strictly for emergencies when nothing else will do) a large new shifter spanner that's reasonably sturdy. Along with the obligatory roll of gaffa tape, some cable ties, a can of WD40, 12V air compressor, box of assorted fuses and crimpy plugs/sockets, waterless hand cleaner and a set of belts and hoses, all tucked into the spare wheel well in the wagon, it covers the most likely things that I would be able to fix myself anyway. I used to have a roll of stainless steel wire and always carried some of that, came in very handy when one of the gear shift cable clips broke on the old TN up near Ouyen (it was actually some years before I replaced it with the real deal!). The most common sized bolts and nuts are probably 10,11,12,14,17mm but Murphy's Law dictates that whatever size is missing is the size you'll need.

Yeah, WD40 and wire! Two essentials in any tool kit! lol
Aerogard and spray-on deodorant, maybe air freshener, in the glovebox, you can work up quite a stink on those hot outback roads! Aircon can get quite smelly if you used it all day and fire it up the next . . .

Ahh, happy memories!

WD40 and gaffa tape: virtually all you need!

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8160/7214525854_733237dd83_z.jpg

WD40 and gaffa tape: virtually all you need!

Respect! I didn't know you had done a TAFE course in automotive repairs and are now a fully qualified MeKaniK!
Takes real skill to know which bits should move, and which shouldn't, though!

Just one tip that I might add(to actually avoid the need for specific extra tools):

Before you go, make sure that your wheel nuts are not overly tight from being butchered with a rattle gun.

I was putting new Bilstein shocks on my brother's Jeep Cherokee recently in the driveway at home and in the end needed to dig out the thick wall sockets and breaker bar and a piece of pipe for extra leverage to get the wheel nuts undone :angry:

It wouldn't be nice having a flat tyre in a remote location and being stuck there just because of tight wheel nuts.

I don't carry anything in the way of tools. I figure I maintain the car to a high standard and that being a good Japanese designed vehicle it is very unlikely that anything will go wrong. I also think that if it did stop for some reason that there would not be much I could do on the side of the road anyway (ie. major part failure - ECU, Auto, catastrophic breakage etc.). Thats the way modern cars are, old cars broke down a lot but were usually easy fixes, modern cars need to be towed back to the workshop to even figure out what went wrong. Thats why I'm a member of the RACV.

Thats why I'm a member of the RACV.

OK if you stay close to main towns in Victoria, but don't expect them to come out if you have a problem 100 km north of Port Augusta!

OK if you stay close to main towns in Victoria, but don't expect them to come out if you have a problem 100 km north of Port Augusta!

they will come out as they have agreements between the auto clubs around Australia. if you're in the middle of nowhere you might be in for a wait as it can take them a day to get out there.

OK if you stay close to main towns in Victoria, but don't expect them to come out if you have a problem 100 km north of Port Augusta!

I wouldn't expect them to come out to the middle of Lake Torrens to help me.

they will come out as they have agreements between the auto clubs around Australia. if you're in the middle of nowhere you might be in for a wait as it can take them a day to get out there.

Hence the need for extra food and water, and some basic tools to do simple stuff like changing a tyre.

Can't complain about RAA service in SA, bought a HD Holden (silly me!) decades ago, drove it from Whyalla to Iron Knob, half way there the fibre gear on the camshaft let go. RAA guy from Iron Knob came out and towed it back to the selling dealer for me, who fixed it at no cost.
(I've hated Holdens ever since! lol)

EDIT: Add a couple of mobile phones to your travel kit, OP!

Thanks for all the replies. Certainly appreciate it.

The enthusiasm on this forum is why I always stop by here first if it’s anything related to the mighty Magna. Several months back I was even able to replace the rear platinum plugs myself after reading posts on here plus some external links that were included in the threads. One year ago was the first time I ever did my own oil change, coolant flush, front brakes. Will always do it myself now if I have the time as it's quite rewarding. plus have a nice toolkit with all the labour costs I saved ;-)

Will sort out a mini toolkit with the recommended sizes plus a few of the other things like hoses, tape, WD40 etc. Will also check the wheel nuts. I’ve driven across Canada before and am a great believer in good old duct tape for everything

Looking forward to the trip as there’s a great deal to see just on this route. The original route we had planned was 13,000km but unfortunately it’ll be pretty wet up north so have to miss it out this time round. Hope to go over that way in the future when we get a 4WD.

Regarding RAC roadside, there's actually quite a bit in there that you don't realise, especially the free tow distance being the full round trip distance for the mechanic / tower. Also the WA 300km value isn't valid once your in another state as it switches to their rules. I don't want to rely on RAC should things go tits up so glad I know the basics.

Thanks again,

Andrew

Us older drivers would carry spare coolant, hoses, 12V air pump, oil, belts and the tools to change them.

Not just you older drivers, i do this as well.
Always have a tool kit in the back which is stowed to the side and does not take up much room

10-18mm for engine, interior and suspension id safely say

Have you been posted by a company ie Defence force, government etc? if so you have thousands to play with so do major servicing especially gearbox (put a cooler on & flush it).

.........................Also flush all fluids

Just a thought... I'd pack a couple of those cans of tyre sealant. They actually work and usually you'll be able to drive to the next servo as long as you don't go playing silly buggers. The other thing you might want to buy are these:

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server1500/48498/products/37/images/625/Sonic_Whistle__61253.1405392117.800.800.jpg?c=2

Some people reckon they don't work...others swear by them...in any event they are cheap on Ebay and if they do work they might save you a fortune in repairs or even save your life and the lives of your passengers as well.

Also... get yourself one of those Eskys that are powered via your cigarette lighter socket. They are really good and will keep your drinks cold on the long stretches between roadhouses.

Don't forget to pack a good LED torch and an LED lantern.

Just a thought... I'd pack a couple of those cans of tyre sealant. They actually work and usually you'll be able to drive to the next servo as long as you don't go playing silly buggers. The other thing you might want to buy are these:

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server1500/48498/products/37/images/625/Sonic_Whistle__61253.1405392117.800.800.jpg?c=2

Some people reckon they don't work...others swear by them...in any event they are cheap on Ebay and if they do work they might save you a fortune in repairs or even save your life and the lives of your passengers as well.

Also... get yourself one of those Eskys that are powered via your cigarette lighter socket. They are really good and will keep your drinks cold on the long stretches between roadhouses.

Don't forget to pack a good LED torch and an LED lantern.


They do work, I used them travelling all through NQ for years, but not over 100km per hour the sound does not arrive quick enough, insects can block them so clear them every day..but a good call

Just one tip that I might add(to actually avoid the need for specific extra tools):

Before you go, make sure that your wheel nuts are not overly tight from being butchered with a rattle gun.

I was putting new Bilstein shocks on my brother's Jeep Cherokee recently in the driveway at home and in the end needed to dig out the thick wall sockets and breaker bar and a piece of pipe for extra leverage to get the wheel nuts undone :angry:

It wouldn't be nice having a flat tyre in a remote location and being stuck there just because of tight wheel nuts.
all true, agree 100%

That looks like a great trip except for having to do Port Augusta to Alice twice, especially in summer heat. Personally I'd forget that and do the Victorian coast and the East coast of NSW if you havent already seen it.

I carry everything in an old business brief case. It'll carry enough tools to just about dismantle a complete car but it doesn't take up much room.

Carry the spares that the auto clubs don't such as both radiator hoses and belt/s.

I've done lots of very long country trips. The only 'breakdown' I've ever had in my 340,000 km Magna was the nut falling off the idler pulley at 10 o'clock at night. And even then I was still able to drive to the next town on 'battery power'. Generally they are very reliable cars and are as comfortable as just about anything on the road.

A large and small flat blade screwdriver, 6,8,10,12,14,17,and 19 mm Ring open end spanner, Wheel brace, Pliers, side cutters. Hammer!!!! Full set of belts and Hoses, couple of spare hose clamps, WD40, and gaffer tape, also a roll of electrical tape, sometimes gaffer tape is just to big! Spark plug socket extension and ratchet minimum 3/8 drive set preferably! RACV or equivalent full package, will deliver your car HOME if it really dies! My brother has used this, dropped a leg out of bed, in a Gemini, half way between Alice springs and Port Augusta! Check with current rules!

I normally take my small tool box which has pliers, scissors, crimping tools, larger sockets, then I have my 99 piece socket set, a torque wrench, screwdriver set and thats about it.