With one click you can now see the entire "clearance rack" of Wholesaler Closeout parts available for your specific vehicle! Click on "Show Closeouts Only" at the bottom of your vehicle's part group list to quickly discover exceptional bargains and unusual parts before they sell out.  Wholesaler Closeout parts are still listed alongside regular parts throughout our online catalog as well. Inventory is updated daily! Learn more about Wholesaler Closeouts here. | |
Easy DIY updates to a 2013 Ram 1500. Music City Trucks changes the appearance and performs basic maintenance with parts from RockAuto to ensure this truck will remain reliable for years to come. | |
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 In the early 1980s, my parents sold me their 1975 Mercury Montego. Cruise control was not standard back then and I wanted to add it to the car. I purchased the necessary parts and started the installation. I had to drill a hole through the firewall to run the wires through to the engine compartment. Being an inexperienced young man, I got my drill, put a ¼ inch bit in it and started drilling. Although it seemed to take a long time to break through to the engine compartment, I attributed it to the odd angle and pushed harder. It finally broke through. I fished as much of the wiring as possible through the hole and made sure I was pushing upwards. I went around to the engine compartment, found the wires, and finished the cruise control installation. As I backed out of the driveway to test the newly installed feature, I stepped on the brakes, but it was as if there was no longer any power assist. I carefully pulled back into the garage, lifted the hood and heard a rather loud hissing sound. I found a ¼ inch hole in the back of the brake booster vacuum canister! It must have been a combination of the awkward drilling angle with the very close proximity of the vacuum canister to the firewall (along with my lack of experience). I did not notice when I broke through the firewall and contacted the canister. After replacing the brake booster, I was finally able to successfully test the cruise control. Ed in Michigan Share Your Story |
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 It looks like something in the engine compartment may be dripping slimy fluid onto the control arm and then the ground. Rags strategically placed above and below the control arm show the fluid is actually coming from the control arm itself. How can a steel control arm with rubber bushings at each end leak? Many original equipment (OE) control arm bushings and other suspension bushings used on vehicles built this century contain small reservoirs of fluid. The fluid reservoir(s) inside the bushing helps dampen high amplitude, low frequency vibrations (such as potholes) so that they are less noticeable to the driver and cause less wear on other suspension and steering parts.  Frequently referred to as hydraulic bushings or hydro bushings, these bushings usually contain ethylene glycol rather than hydraulic oil/fluid. Ethylene glycol is the sweet tasting chemical found in antifreeze that poisons animals if they drink enough of it. Of course, do not let pets lick anything dripping out of a vehicle. In addition to leaking fluid, failing hydraulic control arm bushings can cause the same symptoms as failing solid rubber bushings: clunking sounds when turning or braking; excessive suspension movement and/or noise; abnormal tire tread wear. When pressing in new hydraulic bushings, extra care must be taken to avoid pushing on the rubber and accidentally ripping open the fluid reservoir(s). When installing any control arm bushing, it is important to make sure the bushing is indexed correctly in the control arm. The hole in some bushings is not round. Rectangular (or whatever shape) holes in the bushings must be lined up correctly to fit onto the mating rectangular pegs to avoid damaging the bushings. Installation instructions usually call for control arm fasteners to be tightened to the specified torque when the suspension is at normal ride height. Bushings may become twisted if the fasteners are tightened while the suspension is not bearing the vehicle's weight. A front or four-wheel alignment is usually the last step. Follow the specific instructions in your vehicle's service manual (find repair manuals under "Literature" at RockAuto.com). For most vehicles, RockAuto has complete control arms that simplify replacement by including new bushings already correctly installed. See the control arms and bushings for your specific vehicle under "Suspension" in the RockAuto.com catalog. 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 2000 Mercedes CLK430 Cabriolet lovingly restored with RockAuto parts for my daughter’s high school daily driver. Having owned Mercedes in the past, I know I can always rely on RockAuto for parts price and value. In 2014, I found this car with 89k sitting at a dealership waiting to be sent to wholesalers or the crusher. It was leaking, unloved, improperly maintained but reasonably priced and very sturdy for a first time driver. A thorough detailing revealed a beautiful vehicle with classic lines. I began the mechanical restoration with plugs, wire set and valve cover gaskets. To insure reliability, I replaced water pump, thermostat, radiator, hoses, along with a serpentine belt kit, all readily available from the RockAuto catalog at a fraction of dealer price. I continued the restoration by replacing all control arms, tie rod ends and shocks. When my daughter went off to college, I gladly accepted the keys back from her, and the Mercedes began its life as my bargain basement, V8 powered, RockAuto enhanced mid life crisis vehicle. Steve in New Jersey |
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