International Currency

RockAuto has recently added a currency converter feature to our catalog to better serve our international customers.

At the top of the RockAuto catalog there is now a “Show Prices In” drop-down box. When the drop-down box is selected you can choose to view the prices in our catalog in US Dollars, Australian Dollars, Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollars, Swiss Francs, Euros, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Mexican Pesos or Norwegian Krone.

Prices are calculated based on interbank exchange rates updated each morning. Please note that, because we are a U.S. merchant, credit card companies and PayPal process all our transactions in US Dollars. The amount in local currency appearing on your bank or PayPal statement may vary if they use a different exchange rate or add fees for international transactions.

Rebates Ending Soon

Champion, DynoMax and Rancho all have rebates ending August 31, 2010. There is still time to take advantage of these rebates!

Champion Spark Plug Rebate - Purchase a set of qualifying Champion spark plugs and get up to $20 back.

DynoMax Rebates - Purchase a qualifying DynoMax muffler or exhaust system and get up to a $75 rebate check.

Rancho Promotion - Purchase qualifying Rancho shocks or lift kits and get up to a $500 Rancho Debit Card.

Taking advantage of these and other rebates is easy. Just go to the Current Promotions and Rebates page! Or look up your vehicle in the RockAuto online catalog and watch for the little yellow "Sale Item" starsnext to part names.

Forum of the Month

Modded Mustangs is home for serious Ford Mustang enthusiasts! Registering in the forum is completely free, and benefits include your own custom garage, no advertisements, etc. Our forum topics include discussion about the latest Mustangs - including Roush, Saleen, Steeda, Shelby, SVT Cobra, V6, GT and other stock to special edition Modded Mustangs.

Join thousands of other active Mustang owners on one of the fastest growing car forums in the world. Be sure to introduce yourself as we are looking forward to reading your introduction thread! So what are you waiting for, join 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 jessa@rockauto.com.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

When I turned 16, I was gifted a 1970 Renault 16 from my grandparents, it was 10 years old with only 16,000 miles. Now if anyone else had the experience of a 70’s vintage Renault, you would know that when they were good, they were very good. But when they were bad, you were on your own. Before driving home from school one day, I had to jiggle the positive battery cable to make a better connection to get it to start. So once I arrived home, I decided to do a proper job of cleaning the terminals and getting things back to normal.

On the R-16 there was a keyed hood lock in the grill, so I put in the key and opened the hood. I had a habit of leaving the keys in the lock so I could find them. I took a 10mm wrench and instead of removing the negative terminal first, I immediately attacked the positive. Thinking to myself “I will be really careful.” Well the last thing I saw that day was a red-white flash as the wrench shorted out and ignited the gas cloud over the battery. Which of course was right under my face. My eyes and face were sprayed with battery acid. Remember I said “ I always left my keys in the hood lock?” Well, that single habit may have saved my vision. I was able to locate my keys, feel my way to the front door, open it and stumble into the shower and flush my face.

So here is what I learned that day:

1. Keep your keys handy.
2. Remove the negative terminal first.
3. Wear your safety glasses!

Thanks for your great service!

Ed in Florida

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 awhile!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and shirt size (large or extra large) and we will mail you a RockAuto "Do it yourself?" t-shirt if we publish your story (see the t-shirts under Extras 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

In 1971, the slogan: "You can pay me now, or pay me later." was used to market:

A. FRAM oil filters
B. Wagner brake pads and shoes
C. wage and price controls imposed by President Nixon to reduce inflation

Answer: A (source: fram.com)

Eventually Need to be Replaced

Is a brake job on a car equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) any different than a brake job on a non-ABS car? In general, the answer is no. The brake pads usually fit into the caliper the same way with or without ABS. ABS is like a conventional brake system with a part, the ABS Actuator Assembly, added to control hydraulic pressure in the brake lines. Often the only ABS specific part down near the wheel is the wheel speed sensor.

The wheel speed sensor typically contains a small inductive coil that generates an electromagnetic field. A toothed sensor ring spins with the vehicle wheel and interrupts the magnetic field. The ABS Control Module computer located elsewhere in the vehicle uses the frequency of magnetic field interruptions to calculate how fast the vehicle wheel is turning. It is like counting the spokes on a spinning bicycle wheel to calculate how fast the bike is going.

If the ABS control module sees one wheel is slowing faster than the other wheels during braking then that wheel’s brake must be locking up. The ABS control module tells a special motor, the ABS actuator assembly, to reduce the hydraulic pressure in the brake line running to the brake for the locked up wheel. The brake loosens up a bit, the wheel is no longer locked up, and the tire is no longer skidding.

Wheel speed sensors do not need to be routinely replaced as part of a brake job, but they are down there in the dirt, water and road salt and eventually need to be replaced. Wheel speed sensors vary between car manufacturers. Most often the sensor mounts in a hole in the steering knuckle or caliper torque plate and watches a sensor ring which is part of the wheel hub or axle shafts. Removing that style wheel sensor typically just requires unbolting it from its mounting hole and unplugging its electrical connector. Wheel speed sensors on many GM cars and some other makes are an integral part of the wheel hub and the entire wheel hub assembly is replaced.

RockAuto.com carries ABS wheel speed sensors and hub assemblies from manufacturers including ACDelco, Airtex/Wells, Beck/Arnley, Dorman, Motorcraft, National, Raybestos, SKF, Standard Motor Products and Timken. Depending on the vehicle, wheel speed sensors cost as little as $26 or more than $200. Look under Brake/Wheel Hub in the RockAuto.com catalog to see the wheel speed sensors available for your ABS equipped vehicle.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

When I got this 1967 Jaguar 340 (with the intent to restore it for my wife) it had had a rather lame 3.8 V6 Buick engine in place of the original 3.4 liter straight six. The body had no rust, so it seemed a prime candidate for a daily driver restoration. A Chevy Astro van provided the 4.3 liter V6, transmission, driveshaft, and ECU. All of which got a rebuild, rewire, and fitting with new and better mounts. Since I've used RockAuto for years for our other cars it was natural to go there as a first source for the engine, drivetrain, steering, and suspension parts for the conversion.

Until the hood is lifted the Jag looks original. But it is now more reliable and inexpensive to operate.

Thanks RockAuto,
Robert in Ohio

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to feature you and your car or truck in our monthly newsletter. Please email flamur@rockauto.com with details.

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