USA Standard Gear sets the standard for quality OE replacement parts at affordable prices. Through January, 2024, USA Standard Gear is offering RockAuto customers up to a $100 rebate RockAuto has a wide selection of these drivetrain parts, including ring & pinions, axle shafts, driveshafts, transmission and transfer case components, and installation kits.  Whether you need a new Differential Cover for your 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, a Driveshaft for your 2010 Ford F-150, or a Differential Ring, Pinion & Rebuild kit for your 2017 Toyota Tacoma, RockAuto has what you need. | |
. Designed for both the professional technician and do-it-yourselfer, USA Standard Gear products provide unmatched reliability in the replacement drivetrain industry.
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 Years ago I was lucky enough to purchase my first truck - a 1992 Jeep Comanche. The Comanche was by no means new, but was well equipped with 4.0L engine, 5 speed transmission and 4WD. It had served its previous owner well as a shop truck. A few weeks later I noticed the unmistakable smell of overheating brakes. Immediately I figured that it must have been a sticking caliper. "No big deal" I thought since I had been maintaining my own transportation ever since my dad trusted me to air up the tires on my bicycle! After replacing both front calipers, pads, rotors, and hydraulic lines, it came time to bleed the system. I had used over two gallons of brake fluid trying to bleed the air out but could not for the life of me get the brake pedal to feel right! Then out of desperation I replaced both rear wheel cylinders and the master cylinder while consulting every knowledgeable person I could think of. I was at my wits end, and I knew there was air trapped somewhere but no amount of bleeding helped. With my head hung low I returned to the shop where I purchased the truck and explained my situation. In what seemed like less than a minute, the mechanic came out smirking and informed me that I had put the front calipers on the wrong side, putting the bleeders at the bottom. The bleeder screws need to be at the top of the caliper to allow the air to be bled from the brake system! Andy in Iowa Share Your Story |
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 4WD vehicles built in the previous century have manual locking hubs. The driver twists a knob in the middle of the left and right front wheel hubs to engage the hubs with their axle shafts. When 4WD is no longer needed, the driver turns the knobs the other way so that the front wheels spin freely like those on a rear-wheel-drive car. Is a computer "twisting the manual locking hub knobs" on newer 4WD trucks? It depends on the vehicle manufacturer. Ford automated the locking hub on most of its 4WD trucks using vacuum. A solenoid releases or blocks vacuum flow to lock or unlock the hub. The hubs are free-wheeling when unlocked which may slightly improve gas mileage and steering feel. The front axles are stationary so there is less wear on bearings and front differential gears. The downside is that the vacuum powered locking hub, solenoid and/or hoses eventually leak, are damaged or wear out. Replacing the parts (4WD actuators, hub lock solenoid, vacuum hose) can be a job for many DIYers but is time consuming because it typically requires unbolting the shock, removing the axle and doing all the other disassembly necessary to pull the wheel hub off. Some Ford owners who prefer to simplify their vehicle's 4WD system replace the vacuum operated hub locking actuators with RockAuto's "Vacuum Delete" 4WD actuators manufactured by Dorman. This means the hubs are always locked and the front axles move with the hubs. 4WD is still not engaged until the driver uses a dash switch to turn on the transfer case motor which shifts the transfer case into 4WD; powering the propeller shaft, front differential, axles and hubs. Always-locked hubs is similar to what other 4WD truck brands have.  Manual Locking Hubs & Vacuum Delete Kit Chevrolet/GMC, RAM, Toyota and most other new 4WD vehicle manufacturers use hubs that always spin their axle shafts. Most of these systems reduce drag by disconnecting/connecting one front axle (typically right side) from/to the front differential using a 4WD actuator powered by an electric motor. The driver's 4WD dash switch powers up the transfer case motor and the 4WD actuator motor on the axle. On many late-model vehicles, replacing a worn out 4WD actuator motor on a front axle can be an easy job for most DIYers; unplug the electrical connector and remove about four bolts. Sometimes there is a skid plate or heat shield to unbolt as well.  Typical 4WD Actuator Motors Some late-model Jeep and RAM owners prefer the control and feel of manual locking, free-wheeling hubs of yesteryear. For these customers, RockAuto has Locking Hub Conversion Kits by USA Standard Gear. These kits include new hubs, brake rotors, outer axles, bearings and the other pieces needed to do a complete, durable, good-looking conversion.  Locking Hub Conversion Kit See replacement 4WD Actuators for your specific vehicle under "Drivetrain" in the RockAuto.com catalog. The manual Locking Hubs for older vehicles and Locking Hub Conversion Kits for Jeep and RAM are found under "Brake & Wheel Hub." Tom Taylor, To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page. |
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This is my 1993 Geo Tracker 2WD - the little truck I didn't know I needed. I had spent months cross shopping many different sporty convertible roadsters looking for a fun weekend car when I came across this little gem for sale in a local classified ad site. I drove out to a rural building full of classic restored American cars from the 40s through the 60s to find this lone neglected Japanese truck. When I asked why they had it, the sellers said they bought it for their daughter who didn’t want it because it was a manual transmission! A magenta, rear-wheel drive, manual, 2-door convertible? I was sold on it! RockAuto was able to provide me with all of the replacement parts to get it running and looking like new including emission, engine, and ignition parts. Even having a full set of reconditioned top-trim Geo wheels and a speedometer cable available! Needless to say it turns heads and is the most fun you can have going the speed limit. It just doesn’t quite take corners like a roadster would though! Alexander in Texas |
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