RockAuto now offers AGS EZ-Fit® Complete Hydraulic Line Kits for many popular GM trucks and SUVs (1999-2007). Designed to be tougher, quicker and easier to use than traditional steel lines, these kits can be installed 65% faster than unfinished coils that require cutting and flaring.

Made from nickel copper alloy, AGS EZ-Fit® lines will not rust or corrode like comparable stainless steel lines, and the increased flexibility of the NiCopp® material allows you to bend the lines over and around parts by hand. Each line in the kit is pre-cut and pre-flared for a perfect connection every time to ensure no special tools are needed during installation.

Take the hassle and frustration out of replacing your brake lines by upgrading to a DOT approved AGS EZ-Fit® Complete Kit today! To see the options available for your GM vehicle, find EZ-Fit® Complete Kits under Hydraulic Line in the "Brake & Wheel Hub" category of the RockAuto catalog.

For vehicles other than GM trucks/SUVs, RockAuto carries corrosion proof NiCopp® tubing with EZ-Bend® technology in 25 foot coils. Find these along with AGS Hydraulic Line Unions, Adapters and Brake Line Fittings under the "Hoses/Lines & Clamps" category of the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab.

For a limited time, ACDelco is offering RockAuto customers an exclusive 10% off instant rebate on Professional series Brake Pads and Rotors.

ACDelco Professional Rotors and Professional Pads provide the reliable braking power you need and are ideal for restoring or upgrading the brakes on GM and non-GM cars and trucks.

ACDelco Professional Rotors are:

• Inspected for balance, which offers smooth brake operation, and prevents unnecessary wear and noise
• Independently Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH) and durability/wear tested to ensure high quality, reliability and seamless braking performance
• Built to OE design specifications for dispersing heat, helping to prolong both pad and rotor life while also helping to minimize noise and vibration

ACDelco Professional Brake Pads are:

• Tested to SAE J2784 for braking effectiveness, along with Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH) and durability/wear testing for assurance of quality and long life
• Built with the friction material integrally molded to the backing plate for a permanent bond
• Made with premium shims, slots and chamfers that help to diminish noise, vibration, dust and braking harshness

Find ACDelco Professional brake parts for your specific car or truck in the “Brake & Wheel Hub" category of the RockAuto catalog. The ACDelco limited time rebate is instant; just put the parts in your cart to immediately save 10% off RockAuto's already reliably low prices.

More Rebates & Promotions
Go to the Promotions and Rebates page to see details for all the current rebates.

While shopping, watch for the Promotion or Rebate Star next to the part names to help you save even more on RockAuto’s reliably low prices!

PowerStroke.org is a high powered website created just for Ford Diesel and Power Stroke enthusiasts. You will also find plenty of information and even discussions on the older Ford 6.9L and 7.3L International diesels.

Join today. Registration is FREE, fast and simple!

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

My Honda Odyssey served us well for over 300,000 miles, until an exhaust valve finally failed. When diagnosing the problem, I did a compression test and found 0 psi on cylinder 2. I always pull the fuel pump fuse and ignition coil fuse before doing a compression test to avoid pumping fuel vapor around. I got the engine back together with all new gaskets (thanks RockAuto!), primed the fuel pump and then started the engine. It was a good feeling to hear it start right up and after a few seconds quiet down as all the fluids filled their proper places. Then I looked down at the instrument cluster and saw the transmission "D" indicator flashing. What?! I did nothing to the transmission.

I traced all the codes and found one that referred to fuse 18 in the driver's side fuse box. Hmmm...that was near where I pulled the other fuses. I checked and fuse 18 was missing! I replaced fuse 18 - and all was well. Somehow I mixed up the fuses after the compression test. Now, whenever I pull a fuse for testing, I write down where it came from so I can reinstall it to the proper location!

Joe in California

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!

Until the late '80s or early '90s, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volvo and other European brand cars used parts like this for what?

A. As fuses to protect electrical circuits.
B. To tension the seatbelts.
C. As parking brake shoes for rear disc brake systems.

Answer below

My 1986 Mustang has a 65A alternator. My daughter's 2005 Mustang has a 135A alternator. Add the output of both those alternators together to get 200A, the output of the alternator on a 2018 Mustang with heated/cooled seats. Engines may be shrinking but alternator output is growing!

More amps means more spinning mass in the alternator that can jar the serpentine belt and other belt-driven pulleys, tensioners and accessories as the alternator cycles. To keep the belt from squealing, prevent vibration and reduce wear and tear, an alternator on a newer engine usually has a pulley that absorbs the harsh shocks while helping to maintain the correct tension on the belt.

These alternator pulleys are called decoupler, clutch and/or overrunning pulleys. As can be seen in the example photos, the energy absorbing pulley looks different and is often capped with a plastic cover. The pulley only allows the alternator to spin in one direction.

All three examples have the same style mounting bracket for the Ford 4.6L, but the alternator with a conventional pulley produces 70 less amps than the alternators with decoupler pulleys.

To thoroughly maintain a belt drive system, it is a good idea to replace the decoupler alternator pulley when replacing the serpentine belt and tensioners. Depending on how accessible the alternator is, it may be possible to change the pulley without removing the alternator. Find Alternator/Generator Pulleys in the RockAuto.com catalog under the "Electrical" category for your specific vehicle. Find Alternator Pulley Tools under Tool in the "Electrical" category of the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab.

The decoupler pulley equipped alternator on a newer engine might have a mounting bracket that is identical to the conventional pulley equipped alternator used on an older engine or on a different model. It may be tempting to use an old-design alternator that happens to be sitting on a shelf, but the amp rating is probably not correct, and it may not tension the serpentine belt correctly. Belt squealing, an illuminated check engine light and/or electrical system gremlins may occur if an OE equivalent decoupler/clutch/overrunning alternator pulley is not installed.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

This is my 1985 Mazda RX-7, the last year of the first generation. It was the first car I learned to drive and was my daily driver through high school and university. Truth be told, the uniqueness and peculiarity of the rotary engine most likely played a part in me becoming an engineer. I have probably removed and replaced every single fastener on the car, including rebuilding the rotary engine myself.

RockAuto has been an amazing parts source for the RX-7. As these cars get on in age, parts are becoming hard to find. For example, local parts stores can no longer get brake parts for me. But, RockAuto stocks the rare rear calipers I needed, along with rebuild kits! I have been amassing a good collection of parts from RockAuto, to ensure I can keep this car running for many years to come.

Thanks!
Thayer in Canada

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.

Until the late '80s or early '90s, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volvo and other European brand cars used parts like this for what?

Answer: A. As fuses to protect electrical circuits. (Find these "Torpedo-Shaped" fuses and other types of automotive fuses here.)
B. To tension the seatbelts.
C. As parking brake shoes for rear disc brake systems.

Back up to trivia question