What's New

May/June 2004

	Idle® claims Gates has added the DriveAlign-branded range of automatic belt tensioners and idler pulleys to its line-up. Automatic belt tensioners are used in over 80 per cent of all brand-new vehicles, and unlike a good divorce, they don't last forever. Gates' initial product launch covers about 30 tensioner and 21 idler part numbers providing plenty of coverage for local vehicles. The DriveAlign tensioners have a round torsional spring, compared with competitors which, generally, use a flat spring. The round Torsional spring provides an even rotational load, offering resistance to compressive force. They also provide a tighter dimensional tolerance for better output control, and the coil diameter tension remains constant across a wider range of motion. They're manufactured to OE specs, providing exact fit replacement for the original part. The idler pulleys are also made to OE specifications and materials. Typically, pulleys are pressed out of sheet metal, spun from flat metallic disks or injection moulded from nylon and there are plenty of reasons why your customers should check and replace pulleys whenever the drive belt is changed. For a start, idler pulley bearings can contribute to accessory drive noise and damaged pulleys will affect replacement belt life. Also, accessory performance, for example power steering, can be affected by damaged or worn pulleys. Talk to your nearest Gates distributor for the full details on what's available.
	Safety reversal Until now, reversing sensors have been fitted mainly to upspec versions of cars, and usually on a factory basis. But a new product from Hella, brings the safety benefits of parking sensors to the aftermarket. Hella calls its Parkmaster system the world's most intelligent of its type. Obviously, damage caused during reversing in and out of parking spaces can be extremely expensive, even if at low speeds, thanks to the common use these days of plastics and sophisticated paint technologies. Parkmaster uses state of the art ultrasonic sensors to detect and warn of any visible or obscured obstacle situated behind the car. The system activates when engaging reverse gear, and it generates an electronic shield which reaches as far as two metres behind the car. The aftermarket protection system incorporates four miniature bumper mounted sensors, a compact control unit to process the feedback signals and an audible beeper to warn the driver. The closer the obstacle, the faster the beeps and then a constant beep once the car has entered the maximum alert zone of 30 centimetres. The sensors can be colour-matched to the car's colour, and the set-up comes as a complete kit including a detailed user manual and an installation CD-ROM.
	The war on fatigue It should come as no surprise to learn that the gear our defence forces use is top notch stuff. So when it came time to fix a problem soldiers were having with an Australian Army M113 armoured personnel carrier, Mackay Consolidated (through its Mackay Defence Technologies arm) was able to come up with a solution. The problem centred around the amount of high-frequency vibration that was being transmitted through the metal floor of the APC and into the turret. That was leading to leg and foot fatigue for those working in the environment. Mackay's solution was to develop a new kind of rubber mating with a hollow section under each raised button. As well as cancelling out a lot of the vibration, the matting also gives better grip and stability for the occupants. The rubber formulation is also fire retardant and has a high resistance to oil. The result has been so good, Mackay is now making tailored matting to suit other areas of the APC including the troop carrier section and the driver's compartment.
	The quad squad Remember when swapping a camshaft required one, count it, new camshaft. Not for much longer it seems, and the latest Ford V8 to grace the XR8 uses quad camshaft set-up. That's right folks, changing the cam profile requires grinding or replacing four camshafts. That's a lot of grinding and it's why replacing the cams is the simple solution. And now Crow Cams has a kit to do just that. With the right computer mods and an exhaust upgrade, the Crow package for the BA XR8 can lift power beyond 300kW without messing up mid-range torque and driveability. Could be just what your Ford loving customers want when it comes to hunting down HSVs and teaching them a lesson. Talk to the Crow on (03) 9357 0469.
	New Holdens barred Struth, that didn't take long, did it? No sooner has Holden's Cross8 and Adventra models hit the showroom than East Coast Bullbars has a wide range of front bars for them. They're all manufactured from high tensile, structural grade alloys for maximum strength and performance, and the range includes the `big tube bar' and a full channel-type bar with extra large air-cooling vents, indicator and park light combinations and replacement fog lights housed in automotive grade trimming. The big tube bar also maintains access to the tow point of the vehicle on the passenger side. There's also the type 8 bar which has been designed for optimum strength while being fitted over the original bumper to provide protection for the grille and headlights. It also has provision for auxiliary spotlight mounting. There's also two varieties of nudge bar in 76mm and the 63mm tube which are perfect for avoiding car-park bumps and mounting auxiliary lighting. All the new bars are available in a range of finishes, from powdercoated finishes to mirror polished. They all comply with ADR and airbag regulations and cop ECB's lifetime structural warranty. To know more, call ECB's national customer service centre on 1800 069 145.
	No more unleaded nightmares The phase-out of Lead-Replacement Petrol giving your customers a few sleepless nights? Then Nulon has got what your store needs. When you think about it, LRP is simply Premium Unleaded Petrol (PULP) to which a chemical additive has been added. So why not just give your customers the chance to mix their own. Nulon's Lead Substitute gives them just that opportunity, along wit all the usual benefits including no more pinging or valve-seat recession. A single milli-litre of the stuff treats one litre of fuel, so it's a cost effective treatment as well. Heck, the additive is even coloured red, just like good old fashioned Super petrol. For more information, call Nulon's freecall number on 1800-679-922.

This web site is supplied strictly on the condition that Glenvale Publications and Auto Parts and Accessories Journal, its employees, agents, authors, editors and consultants are not responsible for any deficiency, error, omission or mistake contained in this web site, and Glenvale Publications and Auto Parts and Accessories Journal, its employees, agents, authors, editors and consultants hereby expressly disclaim all liability of whatsoever nature to any person who may rely on the contents of this web site in whole or in part. No portion of this web site, in whole or in part, may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.