I was just wondering now that the bad weather is upon us and many Triumphs might going into hibernation for a few months, how do others store and preserve the car over winter, I often have trouble with a stuck clutch slave cylinder and corrosion on the brake discs, I try to mitigate the clutch issue with occasional pumping of the pedal and I lightly coat the brake discs with wd40 or similar. I've also just sheeted up the car as it's so cold-when it gets warmer ( this weekend forcasted apparently) the car would just attract a large amount of warmer, moist air and get quite wet. I also charge the battery every couple of weeks but it will only go out for a drive now if it's dry and no salt.
I take my hat off to those daily drivers with no garage.
winter storage/preservation
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Clifford Pope
- Senior Member
- Posts:954
- Joined:Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:50 pm
- Location:United Kingdom
Re: winter storage/preservation
I often find clutch and brake master cylinders can have a momentary stiffness when first operating after a long period of disuse. It's not a bad idea just to press the pedals occasionaly.
Leave a window open a few inches to let a bit of air in to circulate (I'm assuming yours is garaged). I find leather upholstery tends to get a bloom over winter.
Watch out for mice making nests or chewing upholstery or wiring. A tray of bait might be a wise precaution. I've had wiring insulation gnawed in the past, but strangely they seem to prefer the challenge of completely stripping live mains cables in the barn to handling a mere 12 volts:)
It's said that tyres can develop a permanent flat spot, but in practice the old custom of putting a car up on bricks is just too much fag. Years ago I did have a car that developed a very bouncy ride on one wheel, which took a few days of use to fade away.
I'm sure it makes sense to never put away a car with wet brakes, but apart from that I don't bother. Any surface rust quickly clears as soon as it's driven. Genuine cast iron drums and disks don't really rust, unlike modern mild steel replacements, which also wear out rapidly.
Leave a window open a few inches to let a bit of air in to circulate (I'm assuming yours is garaged). I find leather upholstery tends to get a bloom over winter.
Watch out for mice making nests or chewing upholstery or wiring. A tray of bait might be a wise precaution. I've had wiring insulation gnawed in the past, but strangely they seem to prefer the challenge of completely stripping live mains cables in the barn to handling a mere 12 volts:)
It's said that tyres can develop a permanent flat spot, but in practice the old custom of putting a car up on bricks is just too much fag. Years ago I did have a car that developed a very bouncy ride on one wheel, which took a few days of use to fade away.
I'm sure it makes sense to never put away a car with wet brakes, but apart from that I don't bother. Any surface rust quickly clears as soon as it's driven. Genuine cast iron drums and disks don't really rust, unlike modern mild steel replacements, which also wear out rapidly.
Re: winter storage/preservation
Thanks Clifford,
you have made it sound all nice and easy, so maybe I'm worrying a bit too much. The rodents don't seem to be a problem in my garage maybe as I'm in there quite a lot (or so my wife claims!) . I'll keep on top of the pedals as well and try and squeeze in the occasional run out too, it'll soon be spring
you have made it sound all nice and easy, so maybe I'm worrying a bit too much. The rodents don't seem to be a problem in my garage maybe as I'm in there quite a lot (or so my wife claims!) . I'll keep on top of the pedals as well and try and squeeze in the occasional run out too, it'll soon be spring
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