On Sat, Feb 7, 2009 at 11:03 AM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> And..... I had never thought of carrying a spare set of brushes. I
> used to carry a spare alternator, but your spare part plan makes more
> sense. Thanks for showing pic of tool used. I don't even own one of
> those!

Neil, over the last seven years or so on these lists I've made a mental note
of the various failures that commonly occur in our Vanagon.  Then when
ordering needed parts I've picked up several items like the regulator/brush
pack and thrown them in 'spare kit' it stash in the 'secret compartment'.
Went into that compartment twice on this trip, the second item will be
mentioned in the write up I'll do on the other issue I dealt with on this
trip.
As for the tool, that's from my fathers tool box and although he is long
gone, if he'd been watching, he'd have been smiling.  One of the first
lessons I learned from him is "Use the right tool.  If you don't have the
right tool, make it.  If you can't make it then go buy one"  I've carried
that thing in my kit for more years than I can recollect and  don't ever
remember needing it before but have always remembered the time many years
ago I needed the same thing (for slot head) fighting a leaking heater in a
'60 Mercedes.  I bought that one and it's in the kit also.

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