Complete Guide to A Wrench in the Works in Arc Raiders

A Wrench in the Works is one of the quickest quests you can clear in Arc Raiders, but only if you know exactly where to go and how to handle the dangers lurking around Spaceport. This walkthrough breaks the quest down into clear steps, adds tactical advice to keep you alive, and explains how to squeeze a bit more value out of this short mission.

Quest Overview: What A Wrench in the Works Actually Is

A Wrench in the Works is a compact objective-focused mission set on the Spaceport map. You’ll be asked to investigate a bus near the western gate and then locate sabotage supplies hidden at the nearby Water Towers. Despite the modest scale, it takes place in one of the more exposed parts of Spaceport, so careless players can easily get downed by patrols or opportunistic Raiders.

The quest is ideal for players who want:

• A fast mission that can be slotted between longer runs.
• Guaranteed quest rewards without needing a full extraction.
• Simple objectives that don’t demand heavy gear or high-level builds.

Preparation: Loadout, Risk, and When to Run It

Because the objectives are close together and don’t require extended combat, A Wrench in the Works is forgiving in terms of gear. That said, Spaceport is still a live battlefield, so basic preparation still matters.

Recommended Loadout Strategy

You can complete the quest on a budget, but consider the following approach:

• Primary weapon: Any reliable mid-range rifle or carbine for dealing with patrols on the main road.
• Secondary weapon: A quick-handling sidearm or SMG for close encounters around the bus and inside the Water Tower.
• Healing items: Carry a minimal stack of healing – the route is short, but a single bad pull of enemies can ruin the run.
• Mobility tools: Any movement-enhancing equipment or abilities make it easier to reposition around the road and climb surfaces quickly.

Because you don’t have to extract to complete this quest, many players choose to:

• Enter with a free or low-value loadout to protect their best gear.
• Use this mission as a “warm-up” run before a more serious raid.

Solo vs Squad Considerations

A Wrench in the Works can easily be soloed, but squads can use it as a quick objective while looting nearby points of interest.

• Solo: Move carefully, avoid unnecessary fights, and use the bus and terrain for cover.
• Duo/Trio: One player can interact with objectives while others watch for PvE or PvP threats.

Finding Spaceport’s Western Approach

The entire quest takes place on the Spaceport map, focused on the western gate area and the nearby Water Towers. You’ll likely spawn somewhere else and have to navigate there.

Navigating to the Western Gate Zone

Once you load into Spaceport, open your map and identify the far west side. The western gate is connected to a main roadway that runs near large terminal structures. As you approach, expect:

• Open sightlines where ground and airborne enemies can spot you.
• Scattered cover including vehicles, containers, and low walls.
• Occasional activity from other players heading to or from nearby points of interest.

A cautious method is to travel along the edges of the map and then cut inward toward the road leading to the gate, instead of marching straight down the most exposed paths.

Step One: Searching the Bus Near the Western Gate

The first objective asks you to investigate a bus close to the western gate. This is the key trigger that unlocks the second half of the quest.

Recognizing the Right Bus

Near the western gate road, you’ll find a series of vehicles and environmental clutter. The quest-specific bus is distinctive:

• It sits beside the main road on the west side of the map.
• It’s parked near large terminal buildings and cargo infrastructure.
• Nearby objects like crates, shipping containers, or market-like stalls can help confirm you are close.

As you get closer, watch for enemy patrols. The area is often scrutinized by airborne drones or Arc machines, and rushing into the bus without checking the surroundings can get you pinned.

Approach and Entry Tactics

To keep the first step smooth:

• Use cars, cargo, and low walls along the road as stepping-stone cover.
• Clear or avoid nearby enemies before you commit to the objective.
• Only sprint the final few meters if you’re sure the area is clear.

Once you reach the bus door, head inside. The interior is tight, but usually safe if you haven’t aggroed nearby enemies.

Interacting With the Objective Item

Inside the bus, move toward the front where the driver’s seat is located. Look for a or similar quest-marked item close to the driver’s area. When you get near enough:

• You’ll receive an interaction prompt to search or examine the item.
• Triggering this interaction completes the first stage of the quest.
• Your objective text will update, pointing you toward the Water Towers.

Before exiting the bus, take a moment to listen for gunfire or machine sounds outside. Leaving into an ambush is one of the most common ways to fail a seemingly safe quest step.

Step Two: Reaching the Water Towers Stash

Once the bus has been investigated, your next task is to locate a cache of sabotage supplies hidden at the Water Towers, not far from the western road.

From Bus to Towers: Route Suggestions

The Water Towers lie a short distance to the northwest of the bus location. On your map, look for a point of interest marked with tower-like structures on the northern edge of the area.

To minimize risk on the way:

• Stay off the most open central sections of the map whenever possible.
• Follow terrain folds, rocks, or building edges to break line of sight.
• Pause intermittently to scan the sky for patrols and listen for combat in the distance.

The short distance between the bus and the Towers is one of the reasons this quest can be done so quickly. If you’re confident and well armed, you can push directly; more cautious players can zig-zag between cover.

Identifying the Correct Water Tower

The Water Towers area typically features at least two elevated tower structures. Only one of them contains the sabotage supplies you need.

• Look for the northernmost tower when you arrive at the point of interest.
• Ignore other similar structures: climbing the wrong one wastes time and exposes you to danger.
• Once you’re sure you’re at the northern tower, focus on finding an interior entrance.

Climbing Inside the Tower and Finding the Supplies

With the right tower located, your final challenge is vertical navigation. The sabotage cache sits on an upper platform inside the structure.

Interior Navigation and Climb Path

Enter the tower and look around the interior base. You should see elements such as:

• Scrap metal acting as makeshift ramps or climbable surfaces.
• Pipework, beams, or scaffolding that can be mantled.
• A small path of platforms leading upward toward a mid-level landing.

Getting to the cache is mostly a matter of:

1. Jumping or mantling onto the nearest low platform directly ahead of the entrance.
2. Following the slanted or stacked metal pieces as a staircase.
3. Reaching a narrow circular or semi-circular ledge partway up the interior.

If you miss a jump and fall, simply re-climb; there are no complex platforming tricks here, just basic mobility.

Locating and Transmitting the Stash

Once you reach the upper ledge, rotate your view. The sabotage supplies are easily overlooked if you only look forward:

• Turn to check the small space directly behind you once you reach the landing.
• Look for a set of crates, boxes, or a designated container that stands out from the environment.
• An interaction prompt will appear, usually associated with transmitting the stash location back to your contact.

Interact with the container and wait for the progress bar to fill. This transmission completes the final on-site objective for A Wrench in the Works.

Quest Completion, Extraction, and Rewards

After the stash has been successfully transmitted, the quest itself is considered complete. You may still be physically inside Spaceport, but no further tasks tied to A Wrench in the Works remain.

Finishing the Run

At this point, you have two broad options:

• Extract nearby: If you want to bank any loot you’ve picked up along the way, look for the closest elevator or extraction point.
• Continue roaming: With the quest done, you can use your remaining time on Spaceport to farm materials, seek PvP, or push other objectives.

Typical Rewards and Their Use

Completing A Wrench in the Works grants a mix of cosmetic and crafting-focused rewards. While the exact balance of rewards may change across patches, players commonly receive:

• A themed outfit or cosmetic tied to a radio or renegade aesthetic.
• Mechanical Components used for crafting and upgrading hardware.
• Mod Components that support build customization and optimization.

Although the cosmetic reward is a one-time unlock, the material drops help gradually improve your account’s overall power. Given how little time the quest requires, it’s an efficient way to pad out your supplies while exploring the Riven Tides content.

Risk Management Tips for Spaceport

Even in a short quest, survival matters. Losing gear or wasting time on avoidable deaths undermines the value of fast missions. Here are a few general safety principles that apply, backed by research into how players sustain performance in challenging games:

• Use cover intelligently: Staying behind objects during firefights reduces incoming damage, echoing the importance of cover usage in high-difficulty shooters studied in human–AI gaming research.¹
• Avoid cognitive overload: Trying to track too many threats at once increases error rates. Prioritize a single direction of movement—from spawn to bus, then from bus to towers.
• Monitor mental fatigue: Research shows sustained gaming without breaks increases fatigue and error likelihood.² If you’re chaining runs, treat short quests like this as a moment to reset and refocus.

Quick Reference Table

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to extract for A Wrench in the Works to count?

No. The quest is marked complete as soon as you transmit the sabotage stash location at the Water Towers. Extracting is still useful if you picked up valuable loot, but it isn’t required for quest credit.

Can I fail the quest if I die after finishing the tower objective?

In most cases, once the objective completion is confirmed, your progress is saved even if you’re eliminated before leaving the map. However, you will still lose any gear or materials you were carrying, depending on how Arc Raiders handles persistence in your current build. Protecting loot is the main reason to seek extraction.

What’s the minimum gear I should bring?

You can realistically complete A Wrench in the Works with a basic rifle, a sidearm, and a couple of healing items. The limited number of required engagements and short travel distances make heavy equipment optional rather than mandatory. Many players specifically run a low-investment loadout here to protect their premium gear.

Is it better to run this quest solo or with friends?

Both approaches are viable. Solo runs give you full control over pacing and stealth. Squads, on the other hand, can cover multiple angles around the bus and Water Towers, making it harder for enemies or other players to surprise you. If you’re new to Spaceport or don’t yet know the terrain, doing the quest with at least one teammate can be more forgiving.

How long does A Wrench in the Works usually take?

Experienced players who spawn reasonably close to the western gate can finish the quest in just a few minutes, assuming no major firefights. Even with cautious movement and some looting detours, it is typically much shorter than more elaborate missions in Riven Tides.