COLLISION-RELATED MECHANICAL REPAIR STUDY
GUIDE
Rack & Pinion - Answers - A rack is a circular gear, and a pinion is a linear gear.
Together they turn rotational motion into linear motion.
How the spinning the steering wheel makes the car turn left/right. Wheel bearings take
the job as a rack & pinion.
Power steering - Answers - a system that uses a hydraulic pump and fluid to make
steering easier
Turn signals - Answers - Use electricity and circuits to illuminate and flash. Mechanical
switches that switch power to the turn signal bulbs using a bi-metallic strip of metal and
a heater. These are called thermal flashers because they relay on a heater and a bi-
metallic strip to operate.
Horn Circuit - Answers - Typically the horn circuit consists of the horn, switch, fuse, and
relay. Battery voltage is applied through a fuse to the relay winding and contacts. When
the horn switch is depressed, the relay is grounded, completing the circuit and blowing
the horn.
Lights - Answers - Car lights are actually pretty simple devices. They consist of a bulb ,
a reflector, and a lens. The bulb produces the light, the reflector directs the light, and the
lens focuses the light.
Start System - Answers - Begins with the battery, goes to ignition switch. A small
current passes through the neutral safety switch to a starter relay. High voltage goes
from the starter relay to the starter motor. Creates a suction that draws fuel into the
cylinder where a spark (by the ignition cylinder) is created and the engine starts.
Bearing - Answers - A bearing is a mechanical part that allows linear or rotational
movement and reduces friction between two objects. It eases the movement, reduces
fatigue, and improves speed and efficiency between the parts.
Noise Diagnosis - Answers - They can mean everything from an engine that's about to
scatter all over the road to the need to secure the stuff in the trunk. When looking for the
source of a noise, it's important to isolate where it's coming from.
Transaxle - Answers - A transaxle powering one set of wheels directly puts most of the
power into the front or rear axles while a driveshaft moves power to the differential on
the opposing axle. Not used in 4wd vehicles.
GUIDE
Rack & Pinion - Answers - A rack is a circular gear, and a pinion is a linear gear.
Together they turn rotational motion into linear motion.
How the spinning the steering wheel makes the car turn left/right. Wheel bearings take
the job as a rack & pinion.
Power steering - Answers - a system that uses a hydraulic pump and fluid to make
steering easier
Turn signals - Answers - Use electricity and circuits to illuminate and flash. Mechanical
switches that switch power to the turn signal bulbs using a bi-metallic strip of metal and
a heater. These are called thermal flashers because they relay on a heater and a bi-
metallic strip to operate.
Horn Circuit - Answers - Typically the horn circuit consists of the horn, switch, fuse, and
relay. Battery voltage is applied through a fuse to the relay winding and contacts. When
the horn switch is depressed, the relay is grounded, completing the circuit and blowing
the horn.
Lights - Answers - Car lights are actually pretty simple devices. They consist of a bulb ,
a reflector, and a lens. The bulb produces the light, the reflector directs the light, and the
lens focuses the light.
Start System - Answers - Begins with the battery, goes to ignition switch. A small
current passes through the neutral safety switch to a starter relay. High voltage goes
from the starter relay to the starter motor. Creates a suction that draws fuel into the
cylinder where a spark (by the ignition cylinder) is created and the engine starts.
Bearing - Answers - A bearing is a mechanical part that allows linear or rotational
movement and reduces friction between two objects. It eases the movement, reduces
fatigue, and improves speed and efficiency between the parts.
Noise Diagnosis - Answers - They can mean everything from an engine that's about to
scatter all over the road to the need to secure the stuff in the trunk. When looking for the
source of a noise, it's important to isolate where it's coming from.
Transaxle - Answers - A transaxle powering one set of wheels directly puts most of the
power into the front or rear axles while a driveshaft moves power to the differential on
the opposing axle. Not used in 4wd vehicles.
