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November Newsletter | Early Edition
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Another Happy Customer!

Half price for the same part!

Delivered to my door in two days. Part was identical to that which I could buy locally and was a little less than half the price!

Mike in Ontario



Upcoming Events

Need goody bag items and a gift certificate for your show? RockAuto can help! Email marketing@rockauto.com for more information.

11 5th Annual 2017 COP's Classics & Customs Car & Bike Show
San Tan Valley, AZ Email
Nov
11 15th Annual Celebration Veterans Day Car Show
Jurupa Valley, CA Email
Nov
11 KCE Block Party 2017
Knoxville, TN Email
Nov
11 14th Annual Ahwatukee Car Show
Phoenix, AZ Email
Nov
12 17th Annual Fall Fling Car Show
Brooksville, FL Email
Nov
12 Vettes for Vets Car Show
Carlsbad, CA Email
Nov
18 33rd Annual Ancient City Auto Club Auto Show
St. Augustine, FL Email
Nov
18 15th Annual Christmas for Kids Car & Truck Show
Charlotte, NC Email
Nov
18 2nd Annual Car Show for AFSP
Harker Heights, TX Email
Nov
18 POCI Dixie Chapter's Car Show
Jacksonville, FL Email
Nov
18 Rebel Round-Up
Needville, TX Email
Nov
18 Coastal Virginia Auto Show
Virginia Beach, VA Email
Nov
19 Ponies Under the Palms
Bradentton, FL Email
Nov
24 Thanksgiving Winter National
Littlefield, AZ Email
Nov
24 Daytona Turkey Run
Daytona Beach, FL Email
Nov
PaceSetter Performance Exhaust

RockAuto now carries PaceSetter Performance Exhaust and direct-fit replacement Catalytic Converters. PaceSetter has been designing and manufacturing quality, American made exhaust products for more than 39 years! PaceSetter maximizes performance by designing the exhaust for the specific engine. Exhaust flow and exhaust scavenging (drawing exhaust out of the engine cylinder) are optimized.

PaceSetter Performance Exhaust

PaceSetter MONZA cat-back performance exhaust kits utilize the right combination of larger than stock, 16-gauge, mandrel-bent tubing (smooth bends maintain the tube's diameter) and high-flow performance mufflers for reduced back-pressure, increased performance and a cooler, smoother running engine.

PaceSetter long tube and shorty headers are designed for ease of installation and feature durable finishes. (ARMOR Coat will not discolor like paint, chrome or even stainless steel and reduces underhood temperatures.)

CNC-machined flanges, precisely positioned hangers and heat shields ensure PaceSetter Catalytic Converters are a perfect fit every time. RockAuto.com's reliably low prices make them exceptionally affordable too!

PaceSetter makes, and RockAuto carries, everything from Exhaust Headers for a '15 Chevy Camaro, to Catalytic Converters for a '05 Hyundai Santa Fe, to a cat-back Exhaust System Kit for a '88 Jeep Wrangler. Look under "Exhaust & Emission" in the RockAuto.com catalog to see the exhaust parts available for your specific car or truck.

USA Standard Gear - Fall Rebate

RockAuto has carried durable and affordable differential parts by USA Standard Gear for years. By using higher quality materials and improved manufacturing techniques, USA Standard Gear parts are often longer lasting than the originals.

USA Standard Gear is now offering RockAuto customers an Exclusive Rebate through December 31, 2017! The rebate covers select USA Standard Gear Positraction Differentials (under “Differential Carrier”), Drive Shafts, Axle Shafts, Ring and Pinion Sets, Spider Gears and Installation Kits. Find the complete selection under the “Drivetrain” category for your specific truck or car.

USA Standard Gear - Fall Rebate

See USA Standard Gear rebate details and learn about other current manufacturer rebates on RockAuto’s Promotions & Rebates page. While shopping, watch for the yellow "Promotion/Rebate" Promotion/Rebate Star in catalog next to the part names to help you save even more on RockAuto’s reliably low prices!

Forum of the Month
mazdatrucking.com

Mazdatrucking.com is a website full of information on the B2000, B2200, B2600 and B2600i series trucks produced from 1978-1993. You can also find active discussions on other Mazda trucks and cars as well!

Fabrication and customizing, exhaust and emissions, suspension, performance upgrades, body work...all of these topics are covered. There is even a section dedicated to modifications relevant to off road performance. If you are a Mazda B Series owner or just a fan of vehicles with a Mazda badge, visit this forum today.

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 megant@rockauto.com

Repair Mistakes & Blunders
Repair  Mistakes & Blunders

When I was in college, I worked several summers for a well drilling company. One day the shop foreman ordered me to change the engine oil on one of the rigs. Now those were big trucks, and a Cummins diesel takes a lot of oil. I drained the old oil, pulled the filter, replaced it, and then hurried to the oil drums to fill a couple of jugs with oil to refill the crankcase. These big diesels took about 11 or 12 quarts as I recalled, so it would take a couple trips to the oil drum, plus climbing up to and down from that monster engine. I emptied the last jug of oil and checked the dipstick expecting to see some sign that I was reaching the full mark. Nothing. I went back to get another batch of oil. "Oh those things take a lot of oil," said one old-timer. "Just keep fillin' er up." I wonder now if he knew what was happening? So, I dutifully kept adding more and more oil. "Hey old-timer?" I asked, "just how much oil do these things actually take?" By that time I had put at least 22 quarts of oil in the machine. He just smiled.

I had a minor epiphany as my mind raced back to the procedure I had used. Sheepishly walking back to the truck, I looked underneath the engine. You guessed it. I forgot to reinstall the oil pan plug. All 22 quarts were glistening on the floor in an expanding mess. Several quarts of degreaser and a hose mitigated the evidence, but the crew did not leave me alone about that one until the following summer. I never made that mistake again.

Chester 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 email 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 country with the most vehicles per capita in the world is:

A. Australia
B. Bahrain
C. Finland
D. United States

Answer below

ABS Solenoids and Valves Are Not Too Intimidating
'17 Nissan ABS Unit
'17 Nissan ABS Unit

ABS Control Module, ABS Motor and ABS Hydraulic Unit are some of the names for parts performing the same or similar anti-lock brake system functions on different vehicles and model years. ABS “units” that look similar to the '17 Nissan example on the left, are under the hood of almost every modern vehicle. What parts are inside?

The purpose of an ABS unit is to open and close valves to restrict or release brake fluid pressure to individual wheels. Brake fluid pressure to a wheel's brake caliper is decreased when a speed sensor tells the computer the wheel is braking too hard and its tire is skidding over the pavement. Vehicles with traction control systems may also use the brake fluid valves to slow individual wheels.

To the right is a relatively simple ABS Hydraulic Unit for the '90 Chevy Suburban. Two solenoids open valves inside a small valve body. A wire harness runs to the computer inside a separate ABS Control Module (not shown but available at RockAuto.com).

ABS Hydraulic Unit for the '90 Chevy Suburban
ABS Hydraulic Unit for the '90 Chevy Suburban

Most of the newest ABS units are like the one for the '06 Chevy Suburban separated into two assemblies below. Brake fluid lines run into the ABS Modulator Valve. An electric motor spins a pump to maintain brake fluid pressure. Each of the 12 brake fluid valves inside (three for each wheel) has its own solenoid plunger (visible on the outside). The 12 round solenoid coils that mate with the solenoid plungers are visible on the ABS Control Module. The computer inside the control module energizes the solenoid coils to pull and push the solenoid plungers to open and close the valves inside the ABS Modulator Valve unit.

The ABS and traction control software that decides when to open and close the valves is impressively complex. Solenoids and valves are not too intimidating even if there are a dozen of them. A DIYer capable of replacing a Master Cylinder should not have trouble replacing the ABS unit on many vehicles. The additional plumbing in an ABS system means bleeding the brake system may take longer. Check the repair manual (found under "Literature" in the RockAuto.com catalog) for any unique installation or brake fluid bleeding instructions. To lengthen the life of the valves, use the brake fluid type and replacement interval recommended by the manufacturer. Clean, moisture-free brake fluid is less likely to clog the valves or the narrow passages inside the valve body.

'06 Chevy Suburban ABS Unit
'06 Chevy Suburban ABS Unit

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

Davis' 1990 Nissan 240SX
Davis' 1990 Nissan 240SX

The Nissan 240SX is a legendary drivers' car that suffers from a unique problem: being too desirable. These cars are the premier drift missile of choice for interior-removers and AC-deleters across the nation, and for good reason. The light, balanced chassis, well tuned suspension and RWD platform just beg you to send the rear into a perfectly controlled slide.

I was therefore insanely excited to find this rare, museum quality 1990 240SX with 40K miles for sale by an older gentleman who bought it new in 1990. Everything was stock and perfectly preserved! There is even a business card from the dealership salesman in the glove box. Of course, since it has been parked in a garage for most of its life, I have had to do a lot of maintenance to get it back to daily driving shape and keep it there. Every single rubber part on the car was completely dry rotted and leaking all of its precious fluids. The timing chain tensioner was completely gone. I replaced all of the gaskets as a preventative measure. All of them! Fortunately for me, RockAuto has every part I need in stock at shockingly low prices--no more schlepping to the auto parts store for me.

Davis in Atlanta

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 email flamur@rockauto.com with your vehicle's history, interesting details, your favorite images (tips for taking pictures of your car) and what parts from RockAuto you have used.

Automotive Trivia Answer
Automotive Trivia

The country with the most vehicles per capita in the world is:

A. Australia
B. Bahrain

Answer: C. Finland (December 2017 Motor Trend, pg. 97)
D. United States

Back up to trivia question