kaluhut

A flexible ball-and-socket joint used primarily in front suspension units because it can accommodate a wide range of angular motion. The ball joint offers relatively free movement between components while holding them together.

Generally employed in pairs. these are contra- rotating shafts, geared together and carrying opposed balance weights. They can be driven at engine speed to cancel out primary reciprocating imbalance, as in old Ford W engines and some three-cylinder units. More usually driven at twice engine speed to smooth out vibrations caused by secondary imbalance. as found in four-cylinder Mitsubishi engines.

The process of canceling out the forces created by imbalance in rotating components and by the reciprocation of pistons and conrods. imbalance creates internal stresses In engine structure and causes unwanted external vibrations that are fed into the body shell — bad for reliability as well as comfort. Rotational imbalances are easily corrected: but balances of reciprocating masses are much more difficult. Reciprocating imbalance can be categorized mainly as primary [oscillating at engine speed} and secondary (oscillating at twice engine speed}. The best approach is to balance the motion of one piston against that of another - thus straight-six, VS and V12 engines can have perfect primary and secondary balance. An ordinary In-line four is in primary balance only - hence the use of balancer shafts.

The oil pans or sumps of same competition engines have thin metal plates or baffles that reduce the amount the oil as sloshed around under hard comering and other heavy gravitational forces. This stops the engine being starved of oil when running at high rpm.

When a fresh unburned charge of fuel combusts in the exhaust system due to leakage from an open exhaust valve. It is known as backfire. It is sometimes heard on trailing throttle as a car slows down.

A Structure. often in the form of a large-diameter tube, running down the centre of a car, with seats and suspension on each side. which takes all the major chassis leads of a car. Used for the Volkswagen Beetle and extensively by Lotus. it is a sensible arrangement fur an open spans car but It Is not the most effective route to maximum torsional stiffness. monocoque chassis are more widespread.

When there is some form of resistance to the free flow at the exhaust from the cylinder head, the resultant condition is known as back pressure. This can be a result of a badly made exhaust system or due to lhe pour condition of either the catalytic converter or the mufflers.