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Welcome to our What's New section
In addition to supplying professional grade Import parts, we’ve made it a priority of ours to remain at the forefront of improvements and new technologies in the Automotive Industry. Here you’ll find catalog information and how-to's, listings for new products, as well as links to informative articles from ImportCar magazine. Click here to go back to the previous page any time during your search.
7/17/2012: OBITUARY: Gerald Bugenhagen, Dayco North Eastern Regional Sales Manager
Ed Rammel, president of Dayco North American Aftermarket, said, "Jerry earned the respect of all because of his conscientious approach, loyalty, commitment and most importantly, his dedication to the people he managed. He was a big part of our family for many years and served as a mentor to many. We are deeply heartbroken by his passing."
By aftermarketNews staff
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
TULSA, Okla. – With great sadness, Dayco Products announces the passing of North Eastern Regional Sales Manager Jerry Bugenhagen. Bugenhagen died July 11 at the age of 62, after a battle with cancer. 
Gerald “Bug” Bugenhagen, began his automotive career with Dayco in 1977 as a district sales representative in Syracuse, N.Y. Bugenhagen was promoted a year later to district manager and relocated to Boston, Mass. In 1980, he moved to Philadelphia and assumed his current role as north eastern regional sales manager. Bugenhagen attended University of Buffalo and was a Vietnam War veteran, serving honorably in the U.S. Army from 1969 through 1971.
Ed Rammel, president of Dayco North American Aftermarket said, “Jerry earned the respect of all because of his conscientious approach, loyalty, commitment and most importantly, his dedication to the people he managed. He was a big part of our family for many years and served as a mentor to many. We are deeply heartbroken by his passing.”
In lieu of flowers, Bugenhagen's family and his Dayco family have set up an Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Fund in his name at GAAS. Donations can be sent to:
Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS)
Gerald Bugenhagen Scholarship Fund
7101 Wisconsin Ave, Ste. 1300
Bethesda, MD 20814
Attn: Susan Medick
6/4/2012: GATES Parts Image Capture (PIC)
Introducing the PIC Gauge Belt Ware App
Gates is pleased to introduce the Gates Parts Image Capture (PIC) Gauge Belt Wear Application to the automotive and heavy-duty industries. This is a first-of-its-kind app that delivers accurate measurement and evaluation of serpentine belt wear. Using state-of-the-art digital imaging technology in concert with industry-standard specifications for serpentine belts, Gates PIC Gauge utilizes a photograph taken with the smartphone’s built-in camera, which is then analyzed by patent-pending software to determine the degree of rib wear detected. The analysis returns one of three results: within specifications (green), wear detected (yellow), or replace belt (red). Belt wear measurements can be captured from any automotive or heavy-duty K-section serpentine belt. PIC Gauge allows technicians to be confident in their service recommendations while educating customers about proper Accessory Belt Drive System maintenance.
Attached is the Gates PIC Gauge press release which will be distributed to industry media next Tuesday, June 5th. We will also be announcing this new diagnostic tool to the industry through our sales force and trade magazines over the next few months with the theme: “Think Outside the Toolbox.”
Gates PIC Gauge Belt Wear App is currently available for the iPhone® and may be downloaded for free from Apple’s App Store.
6/4/2012: Cheap Brake Jobs Are Not Cheap
Brakes should not be a loss leader for shops, says Brake & Front End Editor Andrew Markel.
5/29/2012
By Andrew Markel
In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, you could get all four brakes relined for $19.99 (springs and hardware extra). If you calculate what that means in 2012 dollars, it would cost $282 according to the Consumer Price Index. So why are shops performing $99 brake jobs?
Brakes should not a loss leader for shops. Also, brake pad sales should not be a low margin item in order to compete. It is not a service like an oil change or filter replacement that is used to bring vehicles in for service so you can spot other worn or broken parts that need to be repaired. It is a safety service and the consumer should be charged accordingly.
So what does it take to get undercar shops to get out of the $99 pad swap doldrums? Just like in the 1930s, the shops that will survive are able to put a value on brake service for the consumer and are able to charge more than $99. There is no way to measure a rotor for thickness and runout efficiently and profitably on a $99 brake job. Between setup and making the measurements, it takes at least 10 minutes. But, this must be performed even if you are just slapping in new pads. Shops that do not do this often have higher than normal warranty returns.
Selling Pads?
The brake repair market is starting to become dominated by a “good enough” mentality when it comes to $99 brake jobs. Good enough to some is just being able to stop in a “reasonable” distance at normal driving and last for 20,000 miles. But, when asked to perform an emergency stop or a series of hard stops, the vehicle can become unsafe with longer stops and a low pedal.
Are you sure that little old lady doesn’t drive with two feet? Can you be sure that that a truck will never tow a boat? Is it really worth installing cheap brake pads in order to be able to advertise and hopefully make profit on a $99 brake special?
What standards should you extol when selling replacement brake pads? Try them for yourself! Set aside some time when the shop is not busy or on a weekend to try out the brands of brake pads you sell. Perform at least four emergency stops from 55 mph to a dead stop back-to-back. Let your right foot be the judge. A series of hard stops will simulate the punishment a pad might have on a major metropolitan freeway during extreme stop-and-go traffic.
Inferior brake pads will start to fade and pedal travel will be almost to the floor. Also, inferior pads will start to smell worse than the average burnt clutch. Some inferior brake pads may have a very acrid or pungent aroma due to the use of cheap glues and fillers. Also, the smell can be attributed to coatings and paints that may be burning. Some inferior brake pad manufacturers use only a handful of friction material formulations across an entire product catalog. This means that the same friction material may be used on a SUV and compact, the only thing they change is the backing plate.
Selling Hardware
New hardware is critical to protecting the driver’s investment in a proper brake job.
Brake hardware for disc brakes is not a dealer-only item. A local jobber might carry three lines of hardware. This product category is more than shims, anti-rattle clips or dust shields. Many of these lines of products include items like caliper brackets, slides and all the soft parts to restore the system to like-new condition. Many of these parts are at reasonable prices that you and your customer cannot refuse.
Heating and cooling cycles can weaken springs and anti-rattle clips. Weak hardware parts can result in excessive caliper/pad movement or binding, causing noise and other related problems. This can lead to uneven and premature pad wear, rotor warpage and pulling.
Some springs and clips can be difficult to install. Some anti-rattle clips may resemble Chinese finger traps when you are trying to reinstall them back on the car. But leaving them out is not an option.
When rust and corrosion build up on a floating caliper’s slides or bushings, it can prevent the caliper from centering itself over the rotor when the brakes are applied. Not only does this reduce effective braking force and increase the vehicle’s stopping distance, it also causes uneven pad wear. When technicians think of brake hardware, they think springs, clips and slides. But soft parts like dust shields, grommets and bushings need just as much attention.
Most floating brake calipers use a rubber or plastic insulator or shim around the mounting bolts of the caliper. This sleeve of soft material loses resiliency over its lifetime.
To perform a $99 brake job, a technician cannot clean and lubricate the caliper guide pins. A technician only has enough time to pull one pin, rotate the caliper, push the piston back, replace the pads and then follow the reverse steps.
Brake lubricants are critical in returning the brake system to optimal operating condition. There are three criteria to remember when selecting a brake lubricant. First, does it say that it’s a brake lubricant on the package? If not, don’t use it. Some lubricants may say they are a silicone- or molybdenum disulfide-based, but they may not be formulated to work on brakes. Second, look at the effective temperature range of the lubricant. At minimum, a lubricant should be able to handle 400 degrees F. Third, check to see if it contains petroleum distillates or any substance that can be detrimental to soft parts.
It takes at least seven minutes to perform a proper brake job test drive. Even line techs at dealerships get paid to perform this procedure. Just backing the car out of the bay can cause a comeback and leave service dollars on the table. A test drive can ensure the brake system is operating properly. It can also help you to spot other problems with the vehicle. The other reason a test drive must be performed is to mate the pads to the rotors. This can be called “break in” or “burnishing” the pads. Burnishing also can help to transfer a layer of the friction material onto the rotor. Some manufacturers call this transfer-layer technology and it can help to increase the life of the rotor. |
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2/1/2012: Employee Update
To: Our Valued Family, Customers & Friends
We would like to introduce you to one of our newest employees. Meet Jim L'Amoreaux!
 We are excited to have Jim back with us in our purchasing department. He worked with us from 1992 to 2003 in our Fairfax location. Jim enjoys long drives on scenic highways like Route 66 and spending time with his beautiful family. Jim is also an avid golfer who usually plays in the low 80's. If it gets much hotter than that, he doesn't like to play. A very important aspect of what Jim bring's to us is his 20 years of experience in the parts business.
3/17/2011: EXEDY Update
To: Our Valued Family, Customers & Friends
Thank you for your concerns, phone calls and many emails of sympathy, thoughts and prayers that you have sent regarding the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last Friday.
Just to inform you of our EXEDY group situation in Japan: Currently our group associates and their families at this time have experienced no injuries at this stage.
Our production facilities in Japan have not been damaged, other than some light finish product, that has fallen from the warehouse shelves at our Kawagoe plant. As a result, this should not affect our ongoing production schedules.
Shipping ports on the east coast are to be open tomorrow and EXEDY product that was scheduled to ship, we believe, will proceed as scheduled. We also want to assure you that we believe our safety stock levels, in MI, USA will be quite adequate to cover any sales orders other than unforeseen spike orders.
Wet friction automatic transmission product, that was manufactured in northern Japan, the tooling and dies were moved two months ago to our plants in Roanoke, VA, USA and China. Therefore, we see no major supply issues on this wet friction product.
However, in this unpredictable situation, if any serious delays are foreseen, we will advise all of our customers as news comes to hand of any production delays.
Once more, the Management of EXEDY Japan and EXEDY Globalparts Corp. USA, sincerely thank our customers for their kind interest, prayers, letters and many emails of concern sent to us along with the quick action taken by the American government to provide assistance and aid in this unfortunate incident.
Sincerely,
Bernard Solomons
Vice President
3/15/2011: DENSO Update
To our valued customers,
We appreciate the many messages we have received towards DENSO and to our associates in regards to last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
DENSO was fortunate there was no major damage or injuries at any of our DENSO facilities in Japan. We are also able to report, DENSO has begun to dispatch employees and support goods to the areas affected by the earthquake.
We do not expect any shortage or interruption to any of our North American customers as of today, but we will keep you updated as soon as we can if the situation changes.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and words of support
DENSO SALES CALIFORNIA, INC.
3/14/2011: NGK Update
Urgent Information Bulletin
No. 11-01
Date: March 14, 2011
From: Hideyuki Koiso, President and CEO
Subject: Earthquake in Japan
On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake struck the northern regions of Japan. Reports tell of extensive damage and loss of life in the affected area.
Fortunately, there are no reports of deaths or injuries to any NGK associates in Japan. We are in communication with our executive team in Japan to monitor the situation and will pass on information as it becomes available.
No major damage has been reported to NGK Japan's headquarters or any of our manufacturing locations.
Our Supply Chain and Purchasing teams are gathering information from our suppliers and logistic groups. Communication is difficult, but the data is beginning to be more complete. We will transmit this information to you as it becomes available.
We pledge to work closely with your teams to ensure uninterrupted supply.
2/28/2011: Get to know our Chantilly Sales Team
ImportCar Magazine
PLEASE NOTE:
Double asterisks (**) indicate an article from ImportCar Magazine, edited here with permission from the editor. Many thanks to ImportCar for this permission. The original author is credited for the article. These articles are for information only and not intended to be used in place of service manuals. Please consult your mechanic about the maintenance and repair of your vehicle.
1. Timing Belt Replacement
2. Loaded Brake Calipers
3. Disc Brake Calipers
4. Causes & Cures For Disc Brake Problems
5. Brake System Inspections
6. How To Diagnose Compressor Failures
7. Water Pumps
8. Consider The Radiator A New Maintenance Item
9. Cooling System Service
10. Alternators Are The Heart Of Import Electrical Systems
11. Solving Intermittent Electrical Problems
12. Starter Troubles
13. Pumping Up The Juice With "High-Output" Alternators
14. Understanding Ignition Coils
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