RockAuto.com RockAuto January Newsletter :: Early Edition

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More Happy Customers!

This is my second parts order and I'm sure I'll be as satisfied as I was with my first order. Great company for guys like me on a budget.

William in Maryland



Love RockAuto! Easy to use. Great experience. Will definitely use again! Usually cheaper to buy from here than the local parts store...even after the cost of shipping!

Jason in Kansas


Upcoming Events
If you would like your event featured here e-mail with details.

5th Annual Cruizin on the River
1/16/2014
Lake Havasu City, AZ
e-mail

Cars Kulture & Chaos
1/18/2014
Tempe, AZ
e-mail

2014 Custom Rides Car Show & Expo
1/18/2014
Mokena, IL
e-mail

NVCC Annual Banquet
1/18/2014
Bristow, VA
e-mail

Mudd Boggs 2014 Events
1/18/2014
Adair, IA
e-mail

Moparty In The Desert 2014 Mopar Show
1/19/2014
Phoenix, AZ
e-mail

3rd Annual - YATC Cool Wheels Car Show
1/19/2014
Deerfield Beach, FL
e-mail

Annual Historic Street Fair Car & Bike Show
1/19/2014
Casa Grande, AZ
e-mail

Fineline Fuel Lines

See what we have from FineLine

Fineline fuel line sets provide all the fuel lines and hoses needed to start fresh with a clean, durable fuel delivery system. Fineline has upgraded its existing fuel line sets for 1990-2006 Chevy and GMC pickups to now include stainless steel braided Teflon hoses. Teflon protected by stainless steel makes these hoses superior to what originally came on the truck. All Fineline fuel lines are CNC bent for a precision fit and coated with Galfan for long-lasting rust protection. Fuel lines are labeled and come with original equipment end forms and fittings to ensure a hassle free installation.

Fineline Fuel Lines

Fineline fuel lines are manufactured in Canada and are offered with a one year unlimited mile warranty. Look in the “Fuel/Air” category of the RockAuto catalog for these Fineline parts and more.






A New Year’s Resolution

A New Year’s Resolution

Here at RockAuto we have made our New Year’s resolutions. Have you? Why not make a resolution to keep your vehicle running the best it can, while keeping money in your wallet. With RockAuto’s reliably low prices, huge selection of parts and informative catalog, it is easy to make and follow through on a resolution to keep your vehicle well maintained and running its best in 2014.

Our standing resolution to improve shipping methods has led us to add new delivery services within the United States and internationally, most recently expanding the shipping options (FedEx, Royal Mail, Parcelforce) available from our UK warehouses. With our wide variety of shipping options you can choose a lower priced, unhurried method or you can upgrade to an accelerated shipment.

To view all the shipping options currently available through RockAuto, visit our FAQ page. Please note, not all shipping options are available for every postal code. The shipping options available for delivery to your address appear in the "Shipping" drop-down box in the shopping cart after you enter your country and Zip/Postal Code.

RockAuto wishes you a happy New Year and looks forward to being your auto parts supplier in 2014!






Forum of the Month

JeepPatriot.com

JeepPatriot.com is the best source for all things Patriot and Compass! Join other members from all over the world to discuss modifications, share pictures and make new friends. Whether you need technical instructions, have advice to give, or just want to show off your ride, join JeepPatriot.com. Take the first step and register for free so you can take advantage of all the features we have to offer!



If you are the administrator or member of a forum and you would like to see your website featured in an upcoming newsletter and receive a discount code to share with your members, contact cynthia@rockauto.com.





Repair Mistakes & Blunders

Ouch!

I have a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. It needed front upper control arms. So I immediately ordered both left and right upper control arms with bushings and ball joints, a complete assembly from RockAuto. I decided to do the work the following Saturday since it was a nice day. I took the front tires off the car, unbolted the struts, etc. I put in the left side first and the right side next. A few hours later the job was all done. I took her out for a spin and noticed that it pulled to the left side. I came back home and did some inspection around the tires. That's when I noticed that the left side tire was sticking out more than the other side.

I didn't know why that was happening if the steering wheel was straight. I checked out the old upper control arms that I had removed and that's when I noticed an "L" mark on one. Right away it hit me. I took the left front tire off and sure enough, there was an "R" on the new arm. I had crossed both arms. I had to do the job all over again.

Eric in Illinois



Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for a while!). Please e-mail your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!






Automotive Trivia

Automotive Trivia

Which of these cars use hydraulic systems with master and slave cylinders to assist with clutch operation? (on cars equipped with manual transmissions)

A. 1964 Austin Mini
B. 1974 Nissan (Datsun) B210
C. 1984 Chevrolet Corvette
D. All of the above


Answer below






Ready to Install

RockAuto

A red heart image next to a part in the catalog indicates it is an exceptionally popular part. Sometimes a part might be popular simply because it has the lowest price or is a famous brand. However, the red heart can also be a sign that the original part on this vehicle is failure prone and that other do-it-yourself owners and professional mechanics found this particular part to be the best repair solution.

A good example of this might be the popularity of the AMS Automotive pre-bled clutch master cylinder (PM0719) for the 1997 to 2008 Ford F-150. It bears the red heart indicating it is more popular than a less expensive clutch master cylinder built by Dorman, and even a less expensive clutch master cylinder choice built by AMS. Why did lots of other Ford truck owners want the AMS PM0719 and why were they willing to pay $30 more for it? The differentiating feature responsible for this AMS clutch master cylinder’s popularity is likely that it is “pre-bled.”

Red heart indicating more popular part

“Pre-bled” means all the air has been removed and the clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder and/or hydraulic lines have been filled with fluid. Other owners and mechanics willingly paid $30+ for just a little hydraulic fluid? No, they likely paid to not have to go through the process of bleeding the clutch hydraulic system themselves. In the case of this F-150 part, they not only got a new master cylinder filled with fluid, but also pre-filled hydraulic line, connectors and other plumbing pieces that might be failure prone and/or hard to evacuate air from. Saving time and increasing the likelihood of success are probably what motivated the other owners and mechanics to choose the pre-bled clutch part.

Why are pre-bled clutch master cylinders and slave cylinders much more common than pre-bled brake parts? Both hydraulic systems typically use brake fluid. However, clutch systems vary more significantly between vehicles. You have to find the clutch hydraulics bleeding instructions in the repair manual for your specific vehicle, and those instructions are often more complicated and time consuming than bleeding brakes. There might be dampers or other parts located in the plumbing between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder that the manuals’ authors did not know could eventually clog with debris or retain air. Part manufacturers’ pre-bled parts typically include all the necessary plumbing and other pieces needed to avoid vehicle-specific problems. For some vehicles and parts, the instructions will say the part must always be filled with fluid before installation. Pre-bled (or pre-filled) parts come from RockAuto ready to install.

The location of the clutch parts can also make bleeding more difficult. Even mechanics with vehicle lifts might not like to spend more time and possibly make things more dangerous by asking a second person to push the clutch pedal or hover over the clutch master cylinder watching for air bubbles while the vehicle is hoisted high in the air.

Not every hydraulic clutch system or part is hard to bleed, so pre-bled parts are not available for every vehicle. Pre-bled (or pre-filled) clutch hydraulic parts by AMS, Dorman, Sachs, Valeo and Wagner are found under "Transmission-Manual" in the RockAuto catalog. Watch for those red heart icons next to parts to get clues about which parts other owners and professional mechanics have frequently used to successfully fix vehicles like yours.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com






Bob's 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria
Bob's 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria

This is my 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria that I purchased about six years ago from an estate sale. It had been restored cosmetically, but it was in bad shape mechanically. To make matters worse, it had sat for about 10 years and needed a little bit of everything to get it back on the road. I purchased everything from steering parts to brake and suspension parts from RockAuto. I am happy to say that my '55 is on the road every nice weekend at car cruises and shows.

I have four cars, a truck and a boat that I maintain myself. Two of these vehicles are antiques: a '55 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria and a 1965 Ford Falcon Futura. My daily driver is a 2011 Toyota, and my truck is a 2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. The boat is a 1987 Sea Ray Seville. So, as you can see, I need a wide variety of parts to keep them on the road (and in the water). I can order just about everything I need from RockAuto. And thanks to RockAuto's prices, I still have money left for gas.

Bob in Pennsylvania



Share Your Hard Work

Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to feature you & your car or truck in our monthly newsletter. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! Please e-mail flamur@rockauto.com with your vehicle's history, interesting details, your favorite images and what parts from RockAuto you have used.






Let RockAuto Help

Let RockAuto Help

Are you organizing a car show or other auto related event? From goody bag stuffers to gift certificates...we can help. We can even publicize your event in our newsletter.

Just send an e-mail to marketing@rockauto.com with information about your show.






Automotive Trivia Answer

Automotive Trivia

Which of these cars use hydraulic systems with master and slave cylinders to assist with clutch operation? (on cars equipped with manual transmissions)

A. 1964 Austin Mini
B. 1974 Nissan (Datsun) B210
C. 1984 Chevrolet Corvette

Answer: D. All of the above (American manufacturers did not frequently use hydraulic clutches on their vehicles until the 1980s. Hydraulic clutches are ubiquitous now.)

Back up to trivia question

 

 

 

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