Practicing prevention
Collector car maintenance is a little different to caring for your daily driver. For one thing, the logbook servicing schedule is probably way off. That’s if it still has standard components anyway. But the big difference is that it probably doesn’t get driven as often, so the usual schedule benchmarks won’t apply.
Spring clean
You’ll need to inspect the entire car thoroughly, so having a clear view is important. We recommend raising the vehicle and using a pressure washer to remove all the dirt from the underside and body. This is best done outside where you won’t make too much of a mess. This thorough cleaning is done not only for appearances but also to inspect the suspension and frame for damage or wear.
Before cleaning the underside though, take note of any signs of fluid leaks. Engine and transmission gaskets dry out faster when the vehicle isn’t run enough to keep them moist. If you notice any leaks, change your gaskets. Or if your mechanic thinks it’s a good idea, go without them entirely, and use a silicone-type sealer instead.
Start at the beginning
Systematically check through the car. Don’t miss anything that might need fixing—from swapping out worn parts to repairing damage. With the vehicle on a hoist if possible, start with the front and work toward the rear. Check the condition of cables, belts, hoses, and bushes. If cables or hoses are damaged, check why before replacing them. Take the time to fix the causes and the damage, even if it’s just adding an extra clip or shroud.
Next, make sure that nothing is loose or needs re-torquing. Check the wheel bearings and ball joints for play. Ditto for the universal joints and tail shaft centre bearing. When it comes to wheel bearings, it’s worth re-greasing them annually with quality lithium grease. It’s amazing how many classics catch fire because of a seized wheel bearing.
Suspended sentence
Pay particularly close attention to suspension components. Just because you only plan on slow cruising on nice days doesn’t mean you can ignore its importance. Well-maintained suspension is crucial, as it plays a part in braking, turning, and staying on the road.
By inspecting and replacing worn-out items like shocks and struts, you’ll keep even a monster on its best behaviour. Shock absorbers keep a car balanced, keeping the vehicle balanced on our less-than-smooth roads. They help keep the tyres in contact with the road, to maintain traction under acceleration, braking, and through corners.
Too tyred
Tyres that are worn, cracked, or have large cuts are obviously unroadworthy. But it’s also important to check for tread separation or delaminating, lumps and bulges. Check regularly for any uneven wear patterns, which could indicate a wheel alignment may be needed. If everything looks OK visually, it’s time to check tyre pressures.
Remember to check while the tires are still cold. Regularly checking tyre pressure will also prevent premature and uneven wear. Even if your tyres look good, tyre fitters agree that they should be replaced once they reach 10 years old, regardless of condition. Don’t forget to give the valve stems a look over too. Don’t forget about your poor spare tyre either. It deserves a bit of your attention too.
Maintaining dignity
You don’t want to be plastered all over social media with a crumpled ride, so brakes are next. Look at the pad and rotor condition or pop the wheels off for a better view of your drums. Address any issues you find, replacing or servicing/machining components as required. It’s a good idea to change the brake fluid yearly too, especially with the humid summer months looming. Brake fluid can attract moisture from the atmosphere, even if it’s been locked inside in storage. That moisture compromises the brake systems effectiveness.
It’s worth noting this same thing can happen to brake fluid that’s sitting in an opened bottle. If you open a new bottle of brake fluid, make sure you use it within one year.
Keeping fluid
When most people think of maintenance for their collector car, this is what they think about. Fluid changes are important for the life of your engine, transmission, and differential. But how often do they need to be done? If the vehicle is new to you, it’s probably a good idea to do them all immediately. Then you’ll have a base timeline to work from. Otherwise, the general rule we recommend is engine oil (and filter) yearly, more often if you drive it often. Think every 10,000 kilometres or yearly, whichever comes first. Gearbox and differential can be spaced further, once again dependent on kilometres travelled. Every 2 or 3 years should suffice unless you drive them hard. If that’s the case, a diff and gearbox oil change yearly is still cheaper than repairing them.
Appearing well
Now that the mechanicals are taken care of, it’s on to everything else. It’s a good idea to periodically check the running voltage with a multimeter to ensure the alternator is working correctly. Check the battery terminals for corrosion or damage and use your multimeter to do a quick ground wire check. A quick spray of anti-corrosion on the terminals and ground wires will help keep things protected. Operate all running and signal lighting to make sure that everything works correctly.
Next for your attention is the body. Nothing too drastic here for most enthusiasts, another good clean and wax to maintain the paint’s shine. This is a good time to observe any bubbles forming in the paint, which may indicate rust. It’s worth looking at the window rubbers at this time too. The last thing you want is to introduce problems caused by water entry. Last to check outside is your windscreen wipers. You’ll be sorry if you get caught out by an unexpected shower with dried-out wiper blades.
Beautiful inside
The last thing on the maintenance schedule is the interior. Start by checking that all interior and dash lights are functioning correctly. Then, give the interior a good vacuum and clean appropriate for the materials. If there are any scratches, tears or other damage, the repair may be quicker and easier if caught early on. Your trimmer may be able to recommend a specialist to repair rather than replace soft trim. For safety’s sake, take the time to check the seatbelt condition too. 50-plus-year-old webbing may have seen better days, with worn edges being the most common fault.
Hit the road Jack
You should now be ready for another year of cruising, except for one last check. One thing we see all too often is the absence of a simple tool kit. Even just a jack and wheel brace if you’re not mechanically minded. But a couple of appropriately sized spanners and a screwdriver can save a lengthy wait for the RACQ. If you’re having your boot retrimmed, think about some customised tool storage. Now get out there and enjoy the ride.
