Dura International Premium Rotors

RockAuto now offers Dura International Premium Electrophoretic brake rotors. These rotors are machine balanced for smooth braking, longer pad life and reduced noise. Cleaner steel castings mean more detailed cooling vane configurations can better dissipate heat by forcing out hot air and pulling in cool air during spirited driving, stop-and-go traffic or trailer towing. A non-directional swirl finish promotes correct brake pad bedding for longer pad life, noise prevention and to eliminate the need for future machining. A unique electrophoretic coating prevents corrosion so the rotors last longer while retaining their good looks.

In the electrophoretic process, an electric current is run through the rotor while it is submerged in an electrophoretic coating emulsion. The coating is drawn to the polarized steel like a magnet, adhering to both the inside (cooling vane area) and outside of the rotor. The electrophoretic coating permanently bonds to all steel surfaces providing superior protection from water, salt, scratches, chemicals (brake cleaners) and other sources of damaging and unsightly corrosion.

RockAuto has Dura International rotors for numerous cars and trucks; everything from a 1989 Chevrolet K1500 Pickup, to a 2005 Audi A4, to a 2011 Toyota Highlander. Look under "Rotor" in the "Brake/Wheel Hub" category for your specific vehicle. When there are many rotor choices, Dura International rotors are typically listed in the "Daily Driver" section.

Forum of the Month

MINI 2.com is a website dedicated to the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S, MINI One, MINI Cooper Diesel and MINI Clubman. The site contains a wealth of information including MINI discussions that span the generations, a forum dedicated to your MINI photos and photo shoots, MINI technical forums to discuss aspects of model specific MINI ownership and maintenance, and even a community discussion area to talk to MINI enthusiasts from your region.

Register today. It’s FREE!

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 marketing@rockauto.com.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

Many years ago we had a diesel tractor that sprang a leak at the radiator. It was late winter when we repaired and reinstalled the radiator (outdoors of course). We did not have any antifreeze at that time, but it was going to be several months before we needed the tractor for spring tillage so we had plenty of time for that later. Due to a late, wet spring, many months rolled by before we could get into the field. When we could, we jumped at the chance to get going. You know what happened. With a number of tractors in the fleet, we forgot to add coolant to the “dry” tractor. After about 10 minutes of use, the engine smelled plenty hot and I heard a slight knock, but the coolant temp gauge still showed cold. Of course it did, there wasn’t any coolant to take the temperature of. That’s when it dawned on me what a big flub we had made. We filled it up and used it the rest of the year, but by fall the knock was more pronounced. During the overhaul consisting of new pistons and sleeves, I found that one piston was badly galled.

After that screw up, I make a point to remove the key of any vehicle or machine that is not ready to go immediately. Tying the key to the radiator cap, oil filler cap, master cylinder, power steering pump, etc. helps remind one of what’s missing when you go looking for the key after a long period of downtime. Needless to say, I never made that mistake again.

John in Missouri

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

The 2009 Ford F-250, 2007 Cadillac DTS and 1980 Pontiac Bonneville were all available equipped with hydroboost. What is hydroboost?

A. A water and methanol mixture is injected into the intake manifold so the engine does not require premium gasoline. The hydroboost reservoir typically needs to be filled every 6,000 miles (10,000 km).
B. The power brake booster is hydraulic rather than vacuum assisted. The hydraulic fluid/pressure typically comes from the power steering system.
C. The engine's turbocharger system includes an air to water intercooler to increase air density.

Answer below

Check the Check Valve

Most cars built in the last fifty years have a power brake booster that uses engine vacuum to assist the driver with pushing the brake pedal. The vacuum usually comes from the intake manifold.

A power brake booster check valve ensures that air only flows in one direction. Air is sucked out of the brake booster. If the check valve leaks, then gasoline vapors from the intake manifold can enter the brake booster when vacuum drops during acceleration. Inside the brake booster is a large rubber diaphragm that can be damaged by gasoline. It is important to install a new check valve when installing a new brake booster.

With the most common brake booster designs, the vacuum hose runs to the check valve and the check valve fits into a grommet on the surface of the brake booster. The problem is that it is easy to assume the check valve is nothing more than a plumbing fitting that is not worth replacing.

New brake boosters almost always include new check valves. The old check valve might still get reused because the exterior of the old valve likely looks OK, and it may seem easier to shove the old valve into the new brake booster's grommet than it is to pry a petrified vacuum hose off the old valve's nipple.

Check valve (circled) next to master cylinder on power brake booster

On some brake booster designs the check valve is internal, and the vacuum hose connects to a permanently mounted fitting. On some big trucks, the check valve might be spliced into the vacuum hose some distance from the brake booster. A good, safe rule of thumb is whenever replacing a power brake booster, always use every new part that came in the box, even if it looks like nothing more than a simple plastic elbow or hose splice. That plastic piece might be as important as the new brake booster.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

Keith's 2003 Hummer H1

My daily driver is a 2003 Hummer H1, with a little over 90,000 miles on it. Like all military based Hummers, it is noisy, rides rough, has lots of squeaks and rattles - I love everything about it.

As with any vehicle, it requires maintenance and the replacement of wear items. Living in Canada, it is subjected to some extremes in climate, which certainly adds a factor of wear as well.

Because of what it is, I have often found obtaining parts to be both a challenge, and costly, but recently I was perusing RockAuto's items and found there were actually H1 parts available. And the prices didn't necessitate an additional mortgage!

Since discovering what was available through RockAuto, I have purchased power steering lines, brake pads, a couple of half shafts, even wiper blades and some other small items.

I am impressed with the speed of delivery as well, as is my son who has ordered quite a bit for his trucks. No one beats RockAuto for delivering parts to Canada!

Regards,
Keith in Saskatchewan, Canada

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