Auto Damage Vocabulary
Terms
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- relay
- a device that uses a small input current to control a larger current in a curcuit.
- fender apron
- this part forms the housing for the front suspension on a unitized vehicle and is critical for the handling and safety of the vehicle.
- camshaft
- Component that transforms the rotary motion of the crankshaft into up and down motion resulting in the opening and closing of intake and exhaust valves
- frame horns
- front extensions of the side rails to which the front bumper assemblies are mounted.
- steering gear
- the gears enclosed in the steering gear housing. these gears carry the rotary motion of the steering wheel.
- Constant Velocity Joint
- A special type of universal joint that can maintain a constant speed for the half shaft regardless of the angle of the shaft
- thermostat
- a heat controlled valve used in the cooling sustem of an engine to regulate the flow of coolant between the cylinder block and the radiator.
- headliner
- the upholstery/plastic part overhead in the passanger compartment.
- master cylinder
- the liquid filled cylinder in the hydraulic braking system where hydraulic pressure is developed by the depression of the brake pedal
- quarter panel extension
- the part that estends from the tail light opening to the trunk opening
- torsion bar
- a long straight bar fastened to the frame at one end and to a lower control arm at the other end. the spring action is prodused by twisting.
- independant suspension
- a type of suspension that allows the wheels on one side of the vehicle to rise and fall independantly from the wheels on the otherside.
- Baffle
- A device that is usually used to direct the flow of a fluid, air or light.
- unibody
- a type of construction where the frame and body are incorporated together as one structure.
- drag link
- the connecting rod or link between the steering pitman arm and the tie rods.
- Brake Disc
- A part against which the brake pad lining is forced to slow or stop the wheel rotation.
- window regulator
- the mechanism that raises and lowers the glass
- forging
- a method used to create a part by heating metal ingots and shaping them with special power hammers.
- Brake Lining
- A material on the brake show or pad that has a suitable coefficient of friction to retard the motion of the vehicle when it is pressed against the drum or disc.
- quarter panel
- the body part that form the rear-side of the automobile
- pitman arm
- a steering linkage part connecting the sector shaft to the drag link
- door check
- the part that prevents the door from opening to far.
- column housing
- the covering over a steering column located between the steering wheel and firewall
- windshield header panel
- a panel that serves as a reinforcement for the top of the windshield opening and the front of the roof panel.
- firewall
- the sheet metal panel in the cowl assembly between the engine and the passanger compartment.
- Battery
- A part that stores electrical energy for the automobile
- stamping
- amethod used to form parts accomplished by rolling a slab of hot steel into a desired thickness and pressing the part to make the desired form.
- Cooling Fan
- The device on the front of the engine that rotates to draw air through the radiator
- capacitor
- a storage device for electrons or electricity
- macpherson strut suspension
- type of front suspension that combines the shock absorber and the coil spring in a single assembly
- rear lower panel
- the panel between the quarter panels which forms the rear lower section of the trunk opening.
- subframe
- separate metal structure sometimes called an engine transmission and front suspension.
- power brakes
- a braking system that uses a vacuum to assist the effort needed to slow down or stop a vehicle.
- water pump
- a device in the cooling system that maintains curculation of coolant between the engine and radiator.
- half shafts
- components on a front wheel drive train that extend from either side of the transaxle and connect indirectly to the front wheels
- pinion gear
- a gear found in some steering systems that works with the rack to transfer the motion from the steering wheel to the wheels
- coil spring
- A spring made up of elastic metal and formed into a wire or bar and wound into a coil.
- Brake Caliper
- Device in the disc brake system which causes the pads to grip the disc, resulting in the slowing or stopping of the vehicle.
- weatherstrip
- a rubber seal found around the inside of openings on a vehicle.
- Axle
- A support shaft or member in which a wheel of set of wheels revolve
- idler arm
- the steering linkage part connecting the drag link to the frame on the right side.
- linkage
- a series of rods, yokes, levers etc. used to transmit motion from one unit to another.
- power steering
- a type of steering that uses hydraulic pressure to multiply the drivers effort to turn a steering wheel
- Accelerator
- A pedal or device usually foot operated, used to regulate the speed of the engine
- radiator
- the part in the cooling system that removes heat from the fluid that passes through it
- voltage
- electrical force or pressure that pushes electrons free and causes current to flow.
- fuse
- a device used to protect a circuit from excess current flow.
- Brake Drum
- A metal part that surrounds the shoe lining. The brake shoe lining is forced against the drum to slow or stop wheel rotation
- radius rods
- rods that are attached to both the axle beam and to the frame that maintain the correct axle position
- rack
- part of the rack and pinion steering system that works with the pinion gear to transfer the movement of the steering wheel to the wheels
- striker
- the metal piece the door latch or lock to
- Cowl and dash assembly
- Sheet metal panels which are welded together and form the front of the body shell or passenger compartment of the vehicle.
- wheel cylinder
- hydraulic cylinders placeed in the brake system a tthe wheels. hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder causes the wheel cylinders to move the brake linings into contact with the brake drum to stop the vehicle.
- Brake Bleeding
- The Procedure for removing air from the lines of a hydraulic braking system.
- Alignment
- The adjustment of a part or assembly
- parking brake
- a mechanically operated brake that may be set for parking the vehicle.
- tie rod
- part of the steering linkage that connects the steering knuckle arm to the drag link of to the rac and pinion
- vapor canister
- part of the emission system designed to capture fuel capor that has evaporated from the fuel tank. this helps control the emissions of hydrocarbons.
- resistance
- the opposition to free electron flow. itlimits or controls current flow
- leaf spring
- a spring made up of a series of arched spring steer straps of graduated lengths assembled one on top of the other.
- wheelhouse assembly (rear)
- the structural housing over the rear wheels of a vehicle. the wheelhouse is very important to the crush mamagement technology built into the rear of the vehicle.
- steering knuckle. spindle
- a journal or shaft upon which the wheels of the vehicle are mounted.
- fender skirt
- this non structural part attaches to the fenderapron and keeps water and debris from being splashed into the engine compartment.
- Accessories
- Parts that are not considered essential to the operation of the vehicle
- clear coat
- paint containing no pigment or only transparent pigmant and provides gloss and durability when used over a base coat.
- steering linkage
- the links, rods, and arms connected together that transmit the motion of the steering gear to the front wheels and sometimes to the rear wheels.
- Cams
- egg shaped pieces of metal that are attached to the camshaft
- frame
- the separate substructure found on vehicles that support the body and other external components
- sector shaft
- the shaft that extends down from the steering gear housing and connects with the steering linkage
- door outer panel
- often services separately from the door shell. this part is the outer appearance panel of a door that extends from the rocker panel to the beltline at the bottom of the glass. on some models it extends from the top of the rocker to the top of the door frame.
- Crush Zones
- Holes, slots, dimples, or other dents built into certain areas of the unibody shell that fold or colapse on impact.
- grille
- an appearance part located on the front end of the vehicle that helps channel air to the radiator and protect some parts from road debris.
- combustion chamber
- area where internal combustion takes place. It is formed by the cylinder head and the cylinders.
- instrument cluster
- the housing that encases the speedometer and other instruments.
- internal combustion
- process that occurs when fuel mixes with air and is ignited by a spark to produce a controlled explosion within the engine.
- three stage
- a paint process that has a base coat. followed by a transparent mid coat followed by a clear coat. this creates a special color effect on the vehicle.
- center pillar
- this part is found on a four door vehicle. it serves as a hinge pillarfor the rear door and as a lock pillar for the front doors.
- division channel
- a channel that separates two pieces of glass.
- chasis
- the assembly of mechanisms that make up the major operating part of the vehicle.
- garnish molding
- the trim surrounding the glass openings on the interior of the vehicle.
- Alternator
- Component in the cars charging system that produces current to be used by the automobile.
- fascia
- another name for a bumper cover that is usually found on unibody vehicles. it is typically made from rubber or plastic
- Bezel
- A metal or plastic part surrounding another part.
- Castings
- Metal auto parts which have been made in a mold.
- undercoating
- the application of a plastic or rubberized material to retard corrosion and deaden noise.
- solenoid
- a device that uses electric current to produce motion
- Bumper supports
- Parts that act as support for the front and rear facebar or fascia.
- parallelogram steering
- a steering system that uses a steering gear that is connected to a pitman arm to facilitate the movement of remaining steering linkage.
- door lock
- the mechanism inside the door that holds the door in the closed position.
- two tone
- two different colors on a single paint job.
- Air Bag Module
- An assembly composed of the nylon bag and an ignitor/inflator mechanism enclosed in a metal or plastic housing.
- amperage
- The flow of electrons past a given point in a circuit.
- exhaust manifold
- cast iron or steel piece bolted to the cylinder head that carries exhaust gasses from the engine.
- Base coat/Clear coat
- 2 stage painting process. color coat applied as a base and the application of a clear coat goes on top of the color coat
- Bearings
- Support, Guide, and reduce friction between moving parts.
- CrankShaft
- Engine Component that translates the up and down motion of the pistons into rotary motion
- fuel injectors
- fuel system component that sprays fuel into the intake manifold or cylinders so that it can be used in the internal combustion process.
- Actuator
- Devices which transform electrical signal into Motion
- Air Cleaner
- A device that filters the air being used by the engine
- intake manifold
- the part of the engine that supplies the fuel air mixture to the cylinders.