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November Newsletter
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Another Happy Customer!

Excellent service at an excellent price! Bought a brand new part for a twenty year old car and it works beautifully.

Bob in Virginia



Upcoming Events

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

23 Daytona Turkey Run
Daytona Beach, FL Email
Nov
24 Thanksgiving Winter National
Littlefield, AZ Email
Nov
25 Tim Tygart Memorial Turkey Derby
Greentown, IN Email
Nov
2 Winter Warzone
White Pine, TN Email
Dec
2 Smiley's Racing Toys for Tots Car Show
Mesquite, TX Email
Dec
2 Gulf Coast Corvette Club Toys for Tots Car Show
Bradenton, FL Email
Dec
3 Cruise to NW Toy Run 2017
Kent, WA Email
Dec
3 Courageous Kids Car show
Ladson, SC Email
Dec
9 SMHS 6th Annual Car Show
Peoria, AZ Email
Dec
9 Jeepin 4 Toys Poker Ride
Brooksville, FL Email
Dec
Westin-BRUTE Truck Tool Boxes!

Proudly made in the USA and designed to withstand daily heavy duty use, Westin-BRUTE has become a preferred contractor box for hard-working tradespeople. With features like push button rotary latch and lock systems, heavily reinforced lids/floors, integrated drawer systems and innovative weather seals, Westin-BRUTE Truck Tool Boxes will protect, organize and safely transport your tools and gear.

RockAuto has a huge selection of Westin-BRUTE boxes in a wide variety of mounting styles and sizes (crossover, wheel well, bedsafe...). Enjoy configuring the perfect secure storage system for your pickup or work truck today! Find Westin-BRUTE Tool Boxes under Tool Box in the "Accessories" category of the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab.

Westin-BRUTE Truck Tool Boxes

Complete the package with a Westin Grille Guard, Step/Nerf Bars, Bumper, Winch, Cab Protector and other steel and stainless steel parts that look good and offer protection from off-road use and job-site abuse! Look in the "Accessories" category for your specific truck or SUV.

Be sure to take advantage of an exclusive Westin Truck Tool Box Rebate (up to $100!) for RockAuto.com customers through November 30, 2017. See Westin rebate details and learn about other current manufacturer rebates on RockAuto's Promotions & Rebates page.

More Fluids and Tools at RockAuto
Find under the car system they work with

More Fluids and Lubricants!
RockAuto's selection of Motor Oil, Coolant/Antifreeze, Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid and other products by Aisin, Motorcraft, Beck/Arnley, Pentosin, etc. continues to expand so you have convenient access to the fluids specified for your vehicle.

Help ensure successful repairs with Dielectric Grease, A/C Flush, Brake Lubricant, Transmission Fluid Conditioner and other new products by AGS, GPD, Four Seasons, Lucas Oil, and more.

Find the fluid, chemical or lubricant you need under "Fluid" in the relevant category for your specific vehicle (Cooling System, Engine, Transmission-Automatic...) and under the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab.

More Specialty Tools!
RockAuto now has even more tools designed to assist with specific repairs. Our tools by GPD, Lisle, Performance Tool and others will get the job done correctly and can transform a knuckle-busting odyssey into an efficient, enjoyable repair.

Find a Pitman Arm Puller, Piston Ring Installer, Flywheel Turner, Cam Pulley Holder and all the other specialty tools under "Tool" in the relevant category (Steering, Fuel & Air...) of the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab.

No More Black Friday Stress!
Make your gift giving easy with a RockAuto Gift Certificate

RockAuto's prices are reliably low every day of the year. Give a gift such as a new Antenna, Tail Lamp Assembly or Outside Mirror that will erase memories of a parking lot mishap. Roll back the years with new Lift Supports or carpet ("Flooring"). Help with maintenance with a new Cabin Air Filter or set of Coil-On-Plug Boots.

Not sure if your recipient wants a Carburetor Adjusting Tool or needs an ABS Modulator? Make your gift giving easy with a RockAuto Gift Certificate! A RockAuto Gift Certificate will let the recipient get the parts or tools he/she most needs!

Forum of the Month
Cadillac Power Forum

Are you a fan of powerful Cadillacs? If so, visit the Cadillac Power Forum. This website has informative discussions on everything from the showroom-fresh Cadillac V-Series cars to coverage of early (pre-1968) engines, big block (425, 472 and 500 cid) engines and general technical tips. There is even a section dedicated to Cadillac powered GMC motorhomes.

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

A few years ago, I had a 1991 Dodge Dakota. Eventually I had to replace a radiator and a few other things (thanks RockAuto!) to keep it going. It was a pretty reliable truck, and if something did go wrong, it was usually a simple repair. I have been a "shade tree" mechanic my whole life, and when the brake lights quit working, into the farm shop I went.

I checked the fuse by looking through it, and it did not have a dark blown out center indicating a bad fuse, so I put it back in. The repair manual stated that the brake switch may have been faulty, so I took the lower dash apart to get my big hands and tall body to where I could work on replacing the switch. I even lowered the steering column onto the seat to gain more access. After replacing the switch, and ensuring that it was installed correctly, I checked the brake lights. Nothing!

I started checking various parts along the light's wiring harness with a multimeter for power. There was no power anywhere. So I decided to check the fuse again...and there it was! My fuse did not blow out, but rather the filament had separated right next to the terminal and was no longer making electrical contact. I replaced the fuse, bolted the steering column back up and drove off. Now I check all my fuses with a multimeter before I assume they are good and double check the "easy fixes" first. And now I can laugh about the time I took my dash apart to "fix a fuse."

Marc in Utah

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

Why does the Buick Cascada convertible have a second set of taillights hidden in the trunk (boot)?

A. The trunk lid opens while the top is being lowered, briefly blocking other drivers' view of the primary taillights.
B. European Union regulations require two sets of taillights on all passenger cars built since 2013.
C. The primary taillights are mounted on the outside of the Cascada's trunk lid and may not be visible to other drivers if the trunk lid is open while the car is parked on a roadside or hauling home an oversized item from the store.


General Motors LLC. Used with permission, GM Media Archive.

Answer below

 

When Curbs and Potholes Attack!

RockAuto.com has replacement OE wheels

This is the season when it is too easy to slide into a curb or strike a large pothole and damage a wheel. RockAuto.com has replacement OE wheels (listed for your specific car or truck under "Wheel"). When replacing a wheel, be sure to also closely inspect nearby suspension and steering parts for cracks or missing chunks of metal.

Control Arms, Steering Knuckles and other suspension and steering parts on older vehicles are usually made of steel or cast iron. Some cast iron may crack, but in general, steel and iron are likely to bend. With bent parts, the driver will likely notice the vehicle's steering and/or ride feel odd and know that more parts than just the damaged wheel need to be replaced.

Control Arms, Steering Knuckles and other parts on newer vehicles are often made of aluminum. Back in the '80s, I discovered that aluminum cracks rather than bends after I over-tightened a bolt and broke the mounting hole off the aluminum body of an alternator. The modern aluminum alloys used for steering and suspension parts can be as strong or stronger than steel, but aluminum still might crack or slough off pieces rather than bend during a collision.


Aluminum Control Arms and Steering Knuckle

A part that is cracked and/or missing chunks of metal may remain correctly aligned, giving the driver the false impression that the suspension and steering were not damaged. Of course, it is dangerous to drive with parts cracked and weakened by a crash. Closely inspect steering and suspension parts and do not ignore any stray bits of aluminum on the ground following an attack by a curb or pothole!

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

George's 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
George's 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

This is my 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille with El Deora options including a large vertical grille, padded landau roof and power sliding moon roof. When I purchased this Cadillac, it was just out of a long 12 year period of storage. It was a one owner car with just over 40,000 miles. However, much was needed to get this great vehicle back on the road again, and I counted on RockAuto for quality parts and fast shipping.

Among the parts necessary to replace were the radiator and cap, water pump, thermostat, all the belts and hoses, front and rear shock absorbers, starter and solenoid, brake hoses, wheel cylinders, brake shoes and pads, spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and cruise control transducer. Along with a thorough cleaning, many hours were spent polishing the somewhat tired paint. It is now running and looking great.

Thanks RockAuto!
George in Florida

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

Why does the Buick Cascada convertible have a second set of taillights hidden in the trunk (boot)?

A. The trunk lid opens while the top is being lowered, briefly blocking other drivers' view of the primary taillights.
B. European Union regulations require two sets of taillights on all passenger cars built since 2013.

Answer C. The primary taillights are mounted on the outside of the Cascada's trunk lid and may not be visible to other drivers if the trunk lid is open while the car is parked on a roadside or hauling home an oversized item from the store.


General Motors LLC. Used with permission, GM Media Archive.

 

Back up to trivia question