How to Complete A Wrench in the Works Quest in ARC Raiders

The A Wrench in the Works quest in ARC Raiders is one of the final missions introduced during the Riven Tides update, and if you are trying to clear your Celeste task list quickly, this one is actually pretty simple once you know where to go.

The problem is that Spaceport can feel confusing during live raids. Between hostile ARC machines, enemy Raiders, and the massive layout of the map, plenty of players waste time searching the wrong locations. The good news is that this mission only has two objectives, and you do not even need to extract to complete it.

In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to complete A Wrench in the Works in ARC Raiders, including the bus location, Water Towers route, survival tips, and the fastest way to finish the quest in a single raid.

A Wrench in the Works Quest Overview

Celeste gives you this mission as part of the Riven Tides content update. The entire quest takes place on the Spaceport map and contains two objectives:

1. Search the buses near the western gate
2. Locate the stash of sabotage supplies hidden at the Water Towers

Unlike some late-game quests in ARC Raiders, this one is refreshingly straightforward. You can complete both steps in one run, and extraction is not required for the progress to count.

That makes this mission perfect for budget loadouts or quick solo runs.

Best Preparation Before Starting

Before jumping into Spaceport, here are a few veteran tips that make this quest much easier.

Bring a Cheap Loadout

Since extraction is optional, there is no reason to risk expensive gear here. A simple rifle, basic healing, and light armor are more than enough.

A free or low-cost kit works perfectly because your only goal is reaching the objectives.

Avoid Long Fights

Spaceport is one of the busiest maps in ARC Raiders. Players often rotate through the Departure Building, Arrival Building, and extraction points early in the raid.

If you hear heavy gunfire nearby, rotate around it instead of forcing a fight.

Mobility Helps a Lot

The second objective involves climbing inside the Water Towers, so stamina and movement speed are more useful than heavy armor.

Step 1: Search the Buses Near the Western Gate

Your first objective is to search a bus near the western gate area on Spaceport.

Where Is the Western Gate?

The western gate is located along the long road northwest of the Departure Building and southwest of the Arrival Building.

A lot of players accidentally search the wrong road near the Shipping Warehouse, but that is not the correct location.

Instead, head toward the road leading into the main compound on the western side of the map.

You should eventually see multiple parked buses near the West Elevator extraction point.

Exact Bus Location

Once you reach the buses, enter one of them and move toward the driver’s seat.

You will see an interaction prompt that allows you to search the area.

After interacting with the driver’s section, the first objective updates immediately.

This step is extremely quick, but it can become dangerous because the road is fairly open and often exposed to snipers or roaming Raiders.

Veteran Tip

Do not stay in the bus area longer than necessary. Looting nearby containers usually is not worth the risk unless the raid feels quiet.

The faster you rotate toward the Water Towers, the safer the run becomes.

Step 2: Locate the Sabotage Supplies at the Water Towers

After finishing the bus objective, your next destination is the Water Towers on the far western edge of Spaceport.

This is where many players get confused because the supplies are hidden vertically inside one of the towers.

Which Water Tower Is Correct?

You need the northernmost Water Tower.

Once inside, look for stacked pallets, boxes, and metal structures that allow you to climb upward.

This section feels a bit like parkour, but the jumps are manageable even with average stamina.

Carefully climb to the circular interior platform above.

Where Are the Sabotage Supplies?

After reaching the upper level, turn around and look for a pile of metal containers and supplies hidden against the structure.

Approach the stash and interact with the “Transmit Location” prompt.

Once completed, the mission immediately finishes.

Again, extraction is not required.

That means you can safely leave the raid, continue looting, or even fight aggressively afterward without worrying about losing quest progress.

Fastest Route for Completing A Wrench in the Works

If your goal is efficiency, here is the fastest path I recommend after several Spaceport runs.

Recommended Route

1. Spawn into Spaceport
2. Rotate immediately toward the western gate road
3. Search the bus near the West Elevator extraction area
4. Continue northwest toward the Water Towers
5. Climb the northern tower
6. Transmit the sabotage supply location
7. Decide whether to extract or continue looting

Most runs take less than ten minutes if you avoid combat.

Common Mistakes Players Make

Even experienced ARC Raiders players sometimes get stuck on this quest because the directions are slightly vague.

Here are the most common mistakes.

Searching the Wrong Road

Many players waste time near the Shipping Warehouse road instead of the actual western gate.

Remember:
The correct buses are north of the West Elevator extraction point.

Climbing the Wrong Water Tower

Only the northernmost tower contains the objective.

If you climb another tower and see nothing, move farther north.

Missing the Interaction Prompt

The sabotage stash blends into the environment surprisingly well.

Slow down once you reach the upper platform and carefully look around for the “Transmit Location” option.

Is A Wrench in the Works Hard?

Compared to other Riven Tides quests, this mission is fairly easy.

The real challenge comes from other players rather than the objectives themselves.

Spaceport tends to attract geared Raiders looking for PvP, especially around extraction zones and major loot routes. If you avoid unnecessary fights and stay mobile, this quest becomes one of the fastest Celeste missions in the game.

Best Weapons for This Quest

You do not need top-tier equipment here, but a few weapon types work especially well.

SMGs

Perfect for close-range defense inside buildings and tight pathways.

Assault Rifles

A balanced choice for medium-range engagements around the buses and open roads.

Marksman Rifles

Useful if you expect player encounters near the Water Towers.

Personally, I prefer lightweight assault rifle builds because they let you rotate quickly while still handling most combat situations.

If you are low on gear or trying to rebuild after losses, many players also farm cheap arc raiders items from trading communities and marketplaces like G4mmo before running Spaceport-heavy quests.

Why This Quest Matters

A Wrench in the Works is important because it continues Celeste’s Riven Tides storyline while introducing players to some lesser-used sections of Spaceport.

It also teaches an important lesson about ARC Raiders exploration design:
sometimes objectives are hidden vertically rather than directly on the ground.

That design philosophy appears in several later quests as well.

Final Thoughts

A Wrench in the Works looks confusing at first, but once you know the route, it becomes one of the simplest quests in ARC Raiders.

The biggest takeaway is this:

You do not need to extract.

That single detail changes how you should approach the mission. Run light gear, move quickly, avoid unnecessary fights, and focus only on the objectives.

Search the bus near the western gate, climb the northern Water Tower, transmit the stash location, and you are done.

Simple, fast, and efficient.

If you are grinding through the Riven Tides update, this is definitely one of the easier wins on the quest board.

A Wrench in the Works Quest FAQs

How do you start A Wrench in the Works in ARC Raiders?

The quest is given by Celeste during the Riven Tides update questline.

Do you need to extract to complete A Wrench in the Works?

No. Once both objectives are completed, the quest progress is saved immediately even if you die afterward.

Where are the buses near the western gate?

The buses are located north of the West Elevator extraction point on Spaceport.

Which Water Tower contains the sabotage supplies?

The northernmost Water Tower on the western edge of the map contains the objective.

Can you complete the quest in one raid?

Yes. Most players can finish the entire mission in a single Spaceport run.

Is Spaceport dangerous for solo players?

It can be. Spaceport often has high player traffic, especially near extraction zones. However, careful rotations and budget loadouts make solo questing very manageable.