Thrust Bearings

Thrust bearings are similar to ball bearings except that the plates that the balls ride between are designed as flat washers. The balls riding between these washers reduce side-to-side load. These are used inside of the transmission, rear end and many other areas of the car.

Tie Rod Ends

Tie rod ends are utilized in the steering linkage, steering knuckle pivot supports, and various other hinge mechanisms. Ball joints that join the key parts of the steering linkage pass on the steering wheel's motion no matter what the angle of the linkage or the vibration from the road.

Timing Chain/ Belt

The automobile engine uses a metal timing chain, or a flexible toothed timing belt to rotate the camshaft. The timing chain/belt is driven by the crankshaft. The timing chain, or timing belt is used to "time" the opening and closing of the valves. The camshaft rotates once for every two rotations of the crankshaft.

Torsion Bars

Torsion bar suspension uses the flexibility of a steel bar or tube, twisting lengthwise to provide spring action. Two rods of spring steel are used in this type of suspension. One end of the bar is fixed solidly to a part of the frame behind the wheel; the other is attached to the lower control arm. As the arm rises and falls with wheel movement, the bar twists and absorbs more of the road shocks before they can reach the body of the car. Just like a spring that rebounds after it has been compressed, the bar untwists when the pressure is released. Adjusting the torsion bars controls the height of the front end of the vehicle. The adjusting bolts are located at the torsion bar anchors in the front crossmember. The inner ends of the lower control arms are bolted to the crossmember and pivot through a bushing.

Transmission Fluid Dip Stick

The transmission fluid dip stick is a long metal rod that goes into the transmission. It serves check how much transmission fluid is in the transmission. The dip stick is held in a tube; the end of the tube extends into the transmission. It has measurement markings on it. If you pull it out, you can see whether you have enough transmission fluid, or whether you need more by the level of fluid on the markings. Most manual transmissions do not have dipsticks, instead they use a filler hole which is at the same level as the correct oil level. When the oil is topped up or refilled, the mechanic simply adds oil until the filler hole's level is reached.

Transmission Gears

Most cars have from three to five forward gears, and one reverse gear. The transmission changes the ratio of the engine speed and the wheels by connecting gears in various combinations. First gear connects the engine power to the drive wheels via a pair of reduction gear sets, which gives increased power and reduced wheelspeed when the car is beginning to move. Gears work exactly like levers. A small gear driving a larger one gives an increase in torque, and a decrease in speed, and vise-versa. Transmission gears are heat-treated, high quality steel. They have smooth, hard teeth, cut on precision machinery while red hot. There are many types of gear teeth, but most transmissions use spur and helical gears. Most of the gears are the helical type, because they last longer and are more quiet than spur gears. There has to be enough room (a few thousandths of an inch) between the gear teeth for lubrication, expansion, and any irregularities in size.

Transmission tunnel

The transmission tunnel is a cone-shaped formation in the front of the floor pan. Its shape duplicates the transmission, but it is a little bit bigger and provides about two inches of clearance around the transmission. The transmission tunnel does not exist in front wheel drive cars, because the transmission is on the side of the engine completely under the hood. Only rear-wheel drive cars have transmission tunnels. A manual transmission tunnel has a hole in it to allow the shift linkage to be worked from inside the car. The shifter linkage goes through the transmission tunnel. A rubber boot on the shifter linkage stops dirt, dust and exhaust fumes from entering the passenger compartment. The rubber boot is mounted onto the transmission tunnel and fastened securely around the gearshift linkage. Vehicles with automatic transmission do not need a transmission tunnel because the shift linkage does not usually go through the transmission tunnel. The shift linkage in automatic transmission usually goes in front of the firewall from the base of the steering column.

Tyres

A tyre is a tubular corded carcass covered with rubber or synthetic rubber, which is mounted on a wheel and inflated to provide traction for moving a vehicle and for assisting the brakes in stopping it.
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