RockAuto.com RockAuto November Newsletter :: Early Edition

RockAuto Home

Customer Service

Newsletter Archive

E-mail Subscription

RSS Feed



Another Happy Customer!

I recently ordered Mevotech suspension parts for my 1990 Chevy pickup. The price was about 40% cheaper at RockAuto than at any of my local parts stores. All the parts fit perfect, and after an alignment...the old truck handles like new.

Bill in South Carolina



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

9th Annual Las Vegas AMC Reunion
11/7/2014
Las Vegas, NV
e-mail

Awana Truth & Training Derby Race
11/7/2014
Bloomingdale, IL
e-mail

Annual Benefit Car, Truck & Bike Show
11/8/2014
Lake Elsinore, CA
e-mail

Chiefland Flea Market Classic Car Show
11/8/2014
Chiefland, FL
e-mail

Jeeps in the Vineyard
11/8/2014
Vincentown, NJ
e-mail

FBC Hot Rod Ministry Car Show
11/8/2014
Hughes Springs, TX
e-mail

Christmas Caring Program Car Show
11/8/2014
Waco, TX
e-mail

11th Annual Car & Motorcycle Show
11/8/2014
Phoenix, AZ
e-mail

Alvin Rotary Foundation Novemberfest Car & Bike Show
11/8/2014
Alvin, TX
e-mail

Naples Motor Fest
11/9/2014
Naples, FL
e-mail

Mopars On The Border 7
11/15/2014
McAllen, TX
e-mail

SunCentral Z Club Zfest
11/15/2014
Tavares, FL
e-mail

AZOP Trail Ride & Poker Run
11/15/2014
Phoenix, AZ
e-mail

Family Day Classic Car Show & Food Drive
11/15/2014
Dundalk, MD
e-mail

40 Year Anniversary Celebration
11/16/2014
New Port Richey, FL
e-mail

Raybestos Element3 Brake Pads

See what we have from Raybestos

RockAuto is now offering the full line of Raybestos Element3 brake pads for everything from Acuras to Volvos. The Raybestos Element3 pads offer:

  1. Innovation: Hybrid technology that combines the best attributes of ceramic and semi-metallic in one pad.
  2. Performance: The best of ceramic and semi-metallic means long life, no noise, reduced dust and better durability.
  3. Stopping Power: The most important attribute of this hybrid technology is maximum control in aggressive stopping situations.
  4. Reduced Environmental Impact: Brake friction manufacturers have historically used copper in their formulations for faster curing and better heat dissipation. However, as more has been learned about copper’s effect on the environment, Raybestos is exploring greener alternatives while remaining committed to meeting expectations for smooth, quiet braking. Element3 friction formulations limit copper to less than 5% by weight, meeting 2021 copper compliance requirements seven years early!

When you are ready to replace or upgrade your brakes, take a look at the "High Performance," but still reliably low priced, Raybestos Element3 pads found under “Brake Pad” in the RockAuto catalog.






Forum of the Month

TahoeYukonForum.com

TahoeYukonForum.com is a forum-based website dedicated to the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade. You will find topics relating specifically to years 2015+, 2007-2014, 2000-2006, 1991-1999 and so much more! With an active network of members to assist you, you’ll get the answer(s) you are looking for.

Join TahoeYukonForum.com today and introduce yourself in the “Introduction” area!




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 marketing@rockauto.com.





Repair Mistakes & Blunders

Ouch!

Hi guys. I enjoy reading about the problems encountered by others simply because misery loves company.

My father was a licensed mechanic. I would never accuse him of being a teacher, or profess myself to be a good student. I was 10 or 12 years old when my father showed me how to check the antifreeze level in the radiator of his 1957 GMC pickup. Basically, uncap the radiator and fill it to the bottom of the neck.

One day he was busy and I was pestering him. So, to keep me busy, he asked me to check the radiator and oil levels as he went off to do something else. I was never shown how to check the oil, but I did see where my dad put the oil in. And, since the radiator cap and the oil cap looked very similar, it was obvious to me what to do. Pour in the oil to the bottom of the neck (just like the radiator). I filled the radiator with water as I was shown, but after I put in all the oil I could find, I looked in the hole and I still couldn’t see any oil.

I went to inform my father we needed more oil, and of course, he didn’t believe me until I told him I had used all five quarts. He said something I can’t remember and went directly to the truck in haste, pulled out the dip stick, repeated that thing I can’t remember, and I asked him, “What’s that?”

There was oil half way up the stick! That is when I learned how to check the oil level. The old beast of a truck smoked pretty heavily for a while. I wish that was the only dumb mechanical blunder I’ve done but I’ll save my other stories for future embarrassments.

Ivan in Ontario, Canada




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

The Watts linkage was invented by James Watt in the late 1700s. The benefit of a Watts linkage is that its ends can be attached to fixed points while its center is limited to moving vertically in a near straight line. How is it typically used on cars and trucks?

Raybestos Watts Link
A. The two ends of a Watts linkage are mounted to the frame, while the middle of the Watts linkage is attached to the axle.  This allows the axle to travel up and down but limits unwanted side to side axle movements.

B. The two ends of a Watts linkage are attached to the windshield wiper pivots. The windshield wiper motor gear is attached to the center of the Watts linkage. This allows two wiper blades to follow independent travel arcs while propelled by a single motor.

C. The two ends of the Watts linkage are mounted to the door while the center is connected to the window glass. This window regulator allows the glass to properly travel up and down while preventing unwanted side to side glass movements.



Answer below





Unnecessary Driving Excitement

RockAuto

A month ago, I was alone in California, suffering through another bout of mid-life crisis when I saw her, unravaged by time and salt, a reminder of youthful dreams. How could I resist? My wife would surely forgive me (again).

One thing led to another, and there I was on the long trip home, guiding my new 1971 Ford LTD convertible at night through the mountains. Her top was down, the road was deserted and I was really driving. Tight curves, steep grades and the wind blowing where my hair had once been. Truly a night I will never forget.

Then around four in the morning, we were headed downhill, battling through countless sharp bends, when I saw headlights in the rearview mirror approaching fast. I wondered what could be traveling at that speed? A Viper? A Ferrari? Imagine my surprise when a semi truck hauling a load of car batteries went thundering past. I seriously thought the truck must have lost its brakes and would horrifically crash at the next bend, but no, it smoothly rounded that bend and the next bend and drove out of sight. Over the next couple of hours, we repeatedly overtook that truck going uphill, but heading downhill, we could not keep up.

As the long trip progressed, I noticed the yellow speed limit warning signs posted on curves seemed to have been written by daredevils rather than the usual fretting nannies. The LTD’s nose dove and its rear rose excessively when I braked. I was always hanging on to the steering wheel as if I was in the cockpit of a sailboat on a rough sea. All this unnecessary driving excitement was a sure sign that the shocks were worn out.

When I got home, I did an experiment and put Monroe Load Adjusting shock absorbers on all four corners. These shocks have a coil spring built into them. ACDelco and Gabriel call their load assist shocks, Spring Assist and/or Load Carrier.

Monroe Load Adjusting shock absorber

The shock/strut manufacturers emphasize how these shocks help maintain the handling, braking and ride height of heavily laden or tow vehicles. Monroe says their springs are calibrated to help only when necessary without an increase in ride harshness. However, I remember when I was a teenager, to avoid the cost of rebuilding saggy leaf springs, I bolted “helper springs” onto the axle of my first car. The resulting ride was almost like that of a pickup truck.

But, serious sports cars often have what look like load assist shocks with jauntier names such as “spring and damper.” I was excited to find out if my new Monroe Load Adjusting shocks would make my LTD ride like a 1971 Ford pickup tow vehicle or handle like a 2014 Caterham 7 sports car.

My Ford LTD is still no sports car, but the ride, handling and braking were all drastically improved. Even with load assist shocks at both the front and rear, the car’s ride is still appropriate for a luxurious Ford LTD. The car’s unloaded ride height was not changed and the car maintains that correct height even when packed with people and stuff.

Load assist shocks are available for rear wheel drive vehicles from 1950s Corvettes to late model Crown Victorias. I expect any new shocks would have greatly improved my Ford, but I am happy I got the additional performance offered by the load assist shocks. Now my old convertible and I will have no trouble keeping up with semi trucks on downhill curves even if we have my smiling wife, our three kids and all their luggage on board!

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com


To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.





Greg's 1983 Plymouth Scamp GT
Greg's 1983 Plymouth Scamp GT

I am the second owner of this 1983 Plymouth Scamp GT. When Chrysler first brought out these little trucks in 1982, I knew I had to have one. I bought mine my senior year of high school in 1989! Yes, I have owned this truck for nearly 26 years! I used it as my daily driver for three years, then stored it for a few more. When I bought it, I knew I would never get rid of it. This Plymouth version is rare, only 3,564 were made, and it was only produced one year. Total GT production was only 1,380, and of those, only 194 were Charcoal Grey Metallic.

In May of 2013, I started a full-on restoration of the truck. I took it down to a bare shell and completely rebuilt it from the ground up. I did all the work myself, including the paint. I finished the truck just shy of one year from the start! I added and changed a few things along the way. It is essentially a brand new truck!

I used quite a few parts from RockAuto during the restoration. The parts I remember off hand are the fuel pump, brakes, weather stripping, engine gaskets, radiator and hoses, shocks, struts and wheel bearings.

I’ve fallen in love with this truck all over again. I have put nearly 6,000 miles on it since finishing the restoration. It has taken several awards at car shows this summer including first place, front wheel drive, at the largest all-Mopar car show in the Midwest: The Mopars at the Red Barns show at the Gilmore Car Museum (Hickory Corners, Michigan) in late July.

Thanks,
Greg in Indiana



Share Your Hard Work

Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to give you the opportunity to have your car or truck possibly featured in one (or occasionally more) of our publications such as the monthly newsletter, collector magnets or RockAuto social media. 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...RockAuto 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

The Watts linkage was invented by James Watt in the late 1700s. The benefit of a Watts linkage is that its ends can be attached to fixed points while its center is limited to moving vertically in a near straight line. How is it typically used on cars and trucks?

Answer: A. The two ends of a Watts linkage are mounted to the frame, while the middle of the Watts linkage is attached to the axle.  This allows the axle to travel up and down but limits unwanted side to side axle movements.



B. The two ends of a Watts linkage are attached to the windshield wiper pivots. The windshield wiper motor gear is attached to the center of the Watts linkage. This allows two wiper blades to follow independent travel arcs while propelled by a single motor.

C. The two ends of the Watts linkage are mounted to the door while the center is connected to the window glass. This window regulator allows the glass to properly travel up and down while preventing unwanted side to side glass movements.



Back up to trivia question



© 1999-2014 RockAuto, LLC - Madison, Wisconsin USA. RockAuto name, logo and ALL THE PARTS YOUR CAR WILL EVER NEED are registered trademarks of RockAuto, LLC. Manufacturer names and logos in the RockAuto catalog are trademarks of their respective companies and are used only to identify their products. All rights reserved.