When in a bind... Replacement Bits for your AU

After friggin around changing out the front wheel bearings on my AU Series 1, I snapped the lower caliper bolt. Then, trying to remove the caliper, the Banjo bolt snapped.

While trying to source replacements, I was told by Jackson Ford, Devonport that none were available. When I asked what they use if it happens, the guy at the service desk told me they use any high-tensile bolt with the right thread to do the job.

When I asked about the banjo-bolt, I was told they try not to remove the brake lines from the calipers as they banjo-bolts are too fragile to remove from the AU1 caliper.

To cut a long story short, I managed to find replacment Banjo Bolts... using Earl's Banjo Bolts and an appropriate hi-tensile bolt...

So, when in a bind, what parts have you found do a job better than OEM items? Or what have you used to get you out of trouble if you can't find the right part?

[JC]

I've used high tensile steel bolts for brake callipers (I've also snapped one on an AU1). Cable ties come in handy, and pop rivets are man's best friend. Then there's the ever faithful tek screws and various forms of self tappers, not to mention a muffler clamp and putty instead of welding a tailpipe section.

I'm loathe to go into too much detail lest the current owner of my previous cars are reading this!!!

Howvere, I've used a "modified" 2 litre coke bottle to fix storm water pipe, a discarded VB can to fill out a blown wheel bearing on a trailer (had that done for me - gotta love bush engineer mechanics when the right part's not available) and various other things like that...it doesn't just stop at the car!