Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
A vehicle that has all four wheels under power at all times.
Bore
The engine cylinders diameter - this is where the pistons run up and down.
Brake Disc Rotor
The disc-shaped part of the disc brake assembly. This is where the brake pads are.
Calipers
Areas of the disc brakes that do not move. They contain hydraulic components and straddle the disc, forcing the brake pads against the rotors to slown down your moto vehicle.
Camshaft
A shaft with bumps (cam lobes) which is moved by gears, a belt or chain from the crankshaft. The bumps (lobes) push on valve lifters and cause the valves to open and close.
Control Arms
The link between the car frame and the wheels. This acts as a hinge to allow the wheels to go up and down independently of the chassis.
Coolant
A fluid that consists of antifrese and water. This circulates around a liquid cooling system around the parts of the engine that get hot to remove the heat and reduce the occurance of damage to your vehicle.
Dashboard (Dash)
The area inside the car that houses the glovebox, accessory controls and instruments. The area between the windshiend and the steering wheel.
Distributor (Dizzy)
The device that is responsible for electrically firing the spark plug. This is mechanically activated and will occur at a pre-determined point of the pistion stroke.
Drive Shaft
An assembly of one or two universal joints connected to a shaft or tube used to transmit power from the transmission to the differential.
Drive Belt
A belt that carries motion from a motor to the machinery.
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
This is a system that delivers fuel to the combustion chamber of an engine.
Electrolysis
This is the process where an electric current passes through an electrolytic solution, causing a chemical reaction.
Engine Mounts
A set of mounts that hold the engine firmly in place inside the engine bay (area) of the vehicle.
Exchange
This is usually a remanufactured component that is swapped with the faulty/old component.
Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
Vehicles tht have drive axles at both the front and rear, with all four wheels able to be driven.
Front Wheel Drive
A system that transmits power to the front wheels.
High Tension (HT) Leads
Spark plug leads.
Head Gasket
This is a thin piece of compressible material such as cork, soft metal or rubber that is placed between the surfaces of the head and the engine to form a seal.
Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
Muffler
This is attached to the exhaust pipe to increase or decrease noise.
Rear Main Seal
This is a seal that stops oil leaking between the engine and gearbox from the rear of the crankshaft.
Rear Wheel Ddrive
A drive system that transmitts power to through the rear wheels
Reconditioned
A used part that has been repaired and tested and found to be in good working order.
Single Over Head Cam (SOHC)
An engine that has a single overhead camshaft.
Secondary Restraint System (SRS)
Air bag that inflates on impact to protect passengers from moving forward.
Shock Absorbers
These help you have a smooth drive by reducing the bounch of your wheels.
Siezed
When a movable object no longer moves. Usually due to grime, heat or wear and tear.
Slave Cyl
A device in the hydraulic clutch system that disengages the clutch when activated by hydraulic force.
Spigbot Bearing
This keeps the gearbox and enging central.
Spike
An unexpected and sudden increase in the electrical current that causes damage to the electrical components.
Sump Plug
This is the plug where oil is drained from the reserviour at the bottom of the engine.
Tappet Covers
A cover made of metal that covers the camshaft/tappets and rockers assembly.
Tappets
A solid valve lifter (mechanical) that is located between the camshaft and vave stem.
Timing
The relationship between the delivery of the spark and the piston position.
Timing Case
A cover on the front of the engine made of plastic or metal.
Water Pump
Usually located at the font of the engine, this is operated by its own drive belt to circulate coolant.
Wheel Bearing
This allows the wheel to rotate freely and attaches the wheel to the vehicle. They also support the vehicles weight.
Windshield Wipers
The mechanical arms that move back and forth to remove snow, dirt and water off the windshield.