Cars - http://maxpages.com/carsinhistory/B

boot: [1] British term for trunk. [2] The rubber or plastic cover located at either end of the spark plug cable to insulate the connections between the cable ends and the spark plug and distributor terminal. Always grasp the cable by the boot when removing it. [3] The protective cover of the ball joint that holds the grease. [4] The covering around the CV joint. [5] A simple protective device (sometimes a piece of tube, tire, etc., cut to size) placed between the casing and tube. It offers temporary protection for the tube against pinching by an injury in the casing. It is not a repair of the injury and is unsafe to use. [6] A denver boot, which is a device which clamps on the wheels of a parked car to immobilize it.

booted version: British term for trunk model

boot handle: British term for trunk handle

bootlid: British term for trunk lid

boots: See boot.

boot spoiler: British term for trunk spoiler

bore: [1] The cylinder hole itself. [2] The diameter or width of the cylinder. [3] As a verb, it means to cut a circular hole.

bored: To increase the diameter of the cylinder. Also see stroked.

bore diameter: The diameter of the cylinders. It is usually measured in either inches or millimetres. When a cylinder is bored out because of scored walls, it is increased by "ten thou" of an inch (0.01") or 0.25 mm.

bore-stroke ratio: The relation between the diameter of the cylinder bore and the length of the stroke of the piston. If the stroke is longer than the cylinder bore diameter then the engine is called a long stroke engine. If the stroke is shorter than the cylinder bore diameter then the engine is called a short stroke engine. If the stroke is the same as the distance of the cylinder bore diameter then the engine is called a square engine

boring bar: A machine used to cut engine cylinders to a specific size. As used in garages, to cut worn cylinders to a new diameter.

boring: Renewing the cylinders by cutting them out to a specified size, a boring bar is used to make the cut.

boss: An extension or strengthened section that holds the end of a pin or shaft. For example, the holes in the piston through which the piston pin is placed would easily break the thin walls of the piston when under pressure. The area around the hole (on the inner side of the piston) are strengthened to prevent breakage. This area is the piston boss.

bossing mallet: A hammer with a pear-shaped wooden head used for shaping and stretching metal over a sandbag or wooden block.

botch: [1] A repair job which is very poorly done. [2] To do a repair job poorly

botched-up job: A colloquial term for a poor repair which will not be permanent.

bottled gas: (LPG) (liquefied petroleum gas or propane) gas compressed into strong metal tanks. The gas, when confined in the tank, under pressure, is in liquid form.

bottle jack: A hydraulic lifting device which is in the shape of a bottle

bottleneck: A traffic situation where the road narrows to the point where traffic is excessively slowed

bottom: [1] The lowest point. [2] To lower something. [3] To reach the end of its travel (i.e., bottom out). [4] To make contact with the road

bottom bracket: The cylindrical part of a bicycle frame that holds the crank axle, two sets of ball bearing, a fixed cup, and an adjustable cup.

bottom dead center: (BDC) The lowest point of the piston and connecting rod travel in a cylinder. In a horizontally opposed engine, it is sometimes called the outer dead center. Opposite to top dead center

bottom dumps: Trailers that unload through bottom grates.

bottom end: [1] All the moving parts in the crankcase and their bearings. [2] The lower range of engine revolutions

bottom end gasket kit: All the gaskets below the base gasket (crankcase gaskets and inspection cover gaskets) and all the O-rings and replaceable spacers in the bottom end of an engine. Also see top end gasket kit.

bottom gear: The lowest gear in a transmission.

bottoming: [1] A situation where the suspension reaches the end of its travel. [2] A situation where the lowest part of the chassis touches the ground, especially on a bump

bottom out: To reach the end of its travel.

bottom tank: In a thermosyphon water-cooling system, this is the bottom radiator tank. Also see header tank and radiator tank

bounce: [1] When referring to valves, it indicates a condition where the valve is not held tightly closed in the seat even though the camshaft has not opened it. Also called "flutter." [2] When referring to a distributor, it indicates a condition where the points make erratic contact when they should remain closed. [3] When referring to suspension, it indicates an up-and-down motion called "jounce" and "rebound." You can test it by pushing down and releasing a corner of a vehicle

bound electron: See b.

bound electrons: Electrons in the inner orbits around the nucleus of the atom, they are difficult to move out of orbit.

bourdon tube: A circular, hollow piece of metal that is used in some instruments, pressure on the hollow section causes it to attempt to straighten, the free end then moves a needle on the gauge face.

bowden cable: A wire control cable within a sheath and used for activating the clutch, choke, or accelerator

bowed: A bent shape.

bowl: See float bowl.

bowser: A tanker used for refuelling military ground vehicles or airplanes

bow wow: A vehicle in very bad shape. A dog.

bow-wow: A vehicle in very bad shape. A dog.

box: [1] Colloquial term for a transmission. [2] See E-box. [3] A silencer

boxed rod: connecting rod in which the I-beam section has been stiffened by welding plates on each side of the rod.

boxer engine: A horizontally opposed engine.

box member: A structural part made as a box section

box section: A closed panel structure of square cross section which is used to strengthen a vehicle's underbody

box spanner: A British term for a hollow tube with a socket at each end and two holes through which a bar can be inserted to turn the wrench. The bar is called a T-bar; but the British call it a tommy bar

box van: A British term for a cube van with a large cargo box behind the driver's cab.

box wrench: A tool designed to secure or remove a bolt or nut. Each end of the wrench fits around the bolt head or nut. British term for "ring spanner." In contrast, see open end wrench.

boxy: A derogatory description of a car that has square angles instead of smooth curved lines.

boy racer: A low-cost car without much sophistication or performance; but it does have a very sleek and sporty appearance.

B-pillar: See B-post.

B pillar: See B-post.

B post: B-post.

B-post: The center body post on sedans. It connect the sills and provides roof support. Sometimes referred to as simply post, as in 1957 Chevy two-door post. On a true hardtop design these pillars are missing, leaving uninterrupted glass area along the sides of the car. Also called "B-pillar."

brace: A support beam to give reinforcement between two objects.

bracing: [1] To stiffen something by using a brace. [2] A brace

bracket: a support device which is often a right-angled shape.

braided hose: A rubber hose which is covered in a woven material or braided wire. Used for various hoses under the hood.

brake: [1] To slow down a vehicle. [2] The mechanism that converts motion (kinetic energy) into heat energy through friction. The most common instance is found in the wheels of cars where the brake shoes or disc pads are designed to press against the brake drum or brake disc. Also see anti-lock brake system, bonded brake lining, cantilever brakes, dual brakes, emergency brake, hub brake, inboard brakes, jake brake, juice brakes, mechanical brakes, parking brake, power brakes, primary brake shoe, primary forward brake shoe, prony brake, rim brake, rollercam brakes, self-energizing brake shoe, servo action brakes, and U-brakes.

brake adjuster: A device which moves the drum shoes closer to or further apart from the drum.

brake adjusting spanner: A British term for brake wrench

brake adjusting wrench: A wrench which is used to adjust the brake shoes

brake anchor: A steel stud or pin upon which one end of the brake shoes is either attached to or rests against. The anchor is firmly affixed to the backing plate.

brake, anti-lock: See anti-lock brakes.

brake antiroll device: See brake anti-roll device.

brake anti-roll device: A unit installed in the brake system to hold brake line pressure when the vehicle is stopped on an upgrade, when the vehicle is stopped on the upgrade and the brake pedal released, the anti-roll device will keep the brakes applied until either the clutch is released or as on some models, the accelerator is depressed.

brake backing plate: A rigid metal (steel) plate, located inside the brake drum, on which the wheel cylinder, brake shoes, and other brake parts are mounted. The braking force applied to the shoes is absorbed by the backing plate.

brake band: A band, faced with brake lining, that encircles a brake drum, it is used on several parking brake installations. It differs from brake shoes in that brake shoes squeezes against the inside surface of a drum while a brake band squeezes against the outside surface of a drum.

brake bias: The front/rear distribution of a vehicle's braking power. For the shortest stopping distance, brake bias should match the vehicle's traction at each end during hard braking brake modulation -- the process of varying pedal pressure to hold a vehicle's brakes on the verge of lockup. Ideally, the brakes will unlock with only a slight reduction in the pressure needed to lock them. Typically, however, a considerable pressure reduction is required.

brake bleeder: A valve attached to each wheel brake. This valve can be opened and closed to allow air to be removed or bled from the brake lines.

brake bleeding: See bleeding the brakes.

brake block: See brake pad.

brake booster: A mechanical device which attaches to the brake system to multiply the force the driver applies with his foot (or hand as in the case of a motorcycle). The device uses air, vacuum, or hydraulic fluid to accomplish this purpose. Sometimes called "power assisted brakes," "vacuum assisted brakes," "hydraulically assisted brakes," or just "power brakes." In most cars, the boost comes from engine intake vacuum. In motorcycles it comes from hydraulic fluid.

brake cable: A wire cable which activates the brakes. Used on motorcycles, trailers, and for the parkbrake

brake caliper: See calipers.

brake cylinder: See wheel cylinder.

brake disc: A British term for brake rotor.

brake disc type: A braking system that instead of using the conventional brake drum with internal brake shoes, uses a steel disc with caliper type lining application, when the brakes are applied, a section of lining on each side of the spinning disc is forced against the disc thus imparting a braking force. This type of brake is very resistant to brake fade. Also see disc brake.

brake dive: The action of the front end of a vehicle as it dips down when the brakes are applied. Opposite to squat. See anti-dive system, anti-lift, and anti-squat system.

brake drum: A cast iron or aluminum housing bolted to the wheel, that rotates around the brake shoes. When the shoes are expanded, they rub against the machined inner surface of the brake drum and exert a braking effect upon the wheel to slow or stop the vehicle.

brake drum lathe: A machine to refinish the inside of a brake drum.

brake fade: Reduction or loss in braking force due to loss of friction between brake shoes and drum (or brake pads and disc). Caused by heat buildup through repeated or prolonged brake application.

brake failure: The total inability of the brakes to function. May be caused by worn out pads or shoes, broken hydraulic lines, broken cable or other linkage, non-functioning master cylinder, low or empty brake fluid reservoir, etc.

brake feel: A discernible, to the driver, relationship between the amount of brake pedal pressure and the actual braking force being exerted. A special device is incorporated in power brake installations to give the driver this feel.

brake fluid: A special fluid used in hydraulic brake systems to stop or slow the vehicle. Never use something else in place of regular fluid. There are four types of brake fluid on the market. DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1.

brake fluid reservoir: In an automobile, it is a transluscent tank located in front of the master cylinder. It usually has two chambers containing brake fluid. In a motorcycle, it may be found on the handlebar (for the front brake) or near the back of the bike (for the rear brake).

brake flushing: Cleaning the brake system by flushing with alcohol or brake fluid. This is done to remove water, dirt, or any other contaminant, flushing fluid is placed in the master cylinder and forced through the lines and wheel cylinders where it exits at the cylinder bleed screws.

brake horsepower: (bhp) A measurement of the actual usable power (not calculated power) measured at the output shaft (usually the crankshaft) rather than at the driveshaft or the wheels. Thus none of the auxiliaries (gearbox, generator, alternator, differential, water pump, etc.) are attached. It is called the brake horsepower because the shaft power is usually measured by an absorption dynamometer or "brake." This is not the brake on the vehicle's wheels but a testing device applied to the shaft. This instrument is applied to stop or absorb the rotation of the output shaft and returns a value. Compare SAE gross horsepower and SAE net horsepower. Also see horsepower.

brake hose: A flexible high-pressure hose that is reinforced. It connects between the brake pipes and the brake assembly. It needs to be flexible because of the constant movement of the suspension

brake light: A red light at the rear of the vehicle which is activated when the brakes are applied. Also called "stop light."

brake line: See brake lines.

brake lines: A system of hoses and metal tubes through which the brake fluid flows from the master cylinder to the brake calipers at each wheel. Cracks or breaks in these lines will cause the fluid to leak out and result in loss of brakes.

brake lining: A heat-resistant friction material (usually asbestos) that is attached to the brake shoe. When the shoe is pressed against the brake drum, the lining grabs the inside of the drum, which stops the vehicle and also prevents the drum and the shoe from wearing each other away. Also see bonded brake lining and riveted brake lining.

brake master cylinder: The part of the hydraulic brake system which stores the brake fluid. As the brake pedal is applied pressure is forced against a small movable piston in the master cylinder to push hydraulic fluid through the lines to the wheel cylinders and force the brake linings against the drum (in the case of drum brakes) or force the brake pads against the disc (in the case of disc brakes).

brake mean effective pressure: (BMEP) The average pressure in the cylinders of an engine divided by its mechanical efficiency, i.e., the ratio of the power actually delivered at an output shaft to the power developed in the cylinders. It is used as an indication of torque.

brake pad: The friction material or lining which is secured to metal plates. They press against the brake disc or rotor to enable the wheel to stop. They are to be distinguished from brake shoes which press against the inside of a drum. On a bicycle, brake pads are blocks of rubber-like material fastened to the end of the brake caliper; they press against the wheel rim when the brakes are applied. Also called "brake block." Sometimes the term "brake pad" refers to both the pad and the metal backing.

brake pads: See brake pad.

brake pad wear indicator: A device which detects the thickness of the brake pad by using an L-shaped strap which will scrape against the disc when the pad thickness is below tolerance. Others use an electrical circuit in which a worn pad closes an electrical circuit that illuminates a light on the dash panel.

brake pedal: A foot operated device which engages the brakes to stop or slow the rotation of the wheels. Also see low brake pedal.

brake pipe: A steel pipe used to transmit the brake fluid

brake piston: On a motorcycle, pressure from the brake lever (when squeezed) forces the brake fluid to flow from the master cylinder down through the brake line and into the caliper. The pressure of the brake fluid causes the piston to push the brake pad to rub against the disc, thus stopping movement of the motorcycle.

brake, power: See power brakes.

brake puck: See brake pads.

brake pucks: See brake pads.

brake pulling: A situation where the vehicle moves to one side when the brakes are applied. It is usually due to uneven application of the brakes from side to side.

brake, parking: See parking brake and emergency brake.

brake proportioning valve: A valve that limits braking force to the front or rear wheels, usually as a function of pedal effort or line pressure, loading of the vehicle or front-rear weight transfer, to prevent wheel locking and provide the most effective braking.

brake rod: A long rod which connects between the brake pedal and the brake actuating lever.

brake rotor: The brake disc which is attached to the wheel and is surrounded by a brake caliper.

brakes, antilock: See anti-lock brakes.

brakes, anti-lock: See anti-lock brakes.

brake servo: A device which multiplies the driver's physical effort in applying the brakes by using manifold vacuum

brake servo unit: See brake servo

brake shoe: That part of the brake system, located at the wheels, upon which the brake lining is attached. There are usually two shoes (curved or arc-shaped pieces) in each wheel. When the wheel cylinders are actuated by hydraulic pressure they force the brake shoes apart and bring the lining into contact with the brake drum. In this way the vehicle is slowed or stopped. On a bicycle, it is the metal part that holds a brake pad and is bolted to the end of a brake caliper. Also see primary brake shoe.

brake shoe grinder: A grinder used to grind brake shoe lining so that it will be square to and concentric with the brake drum.

brake shoe heel: That end of the brake shoe adjacent to the anchor bolt or pin.

brake shoe return spring: A spring which is attached to the two brake shoes. After the brake is applied, this spring pulls the shoes away from the drum

brake shoe toe: The free end of the shoe, it is not attached to or resting against an anchor pin.

brakes, power: See power brakes.

brake system: A system that uses hydraulic pressure to enable your vehicle to slow and stop safely. Consists of the master cylinder, brake lines, and disc or drum brakes at each wheel.

brake test: A testing procedure which determines the efficiency of a vehicle's brakes in order to pass safety tests

brake torquing: A procedure generally used in performance tests to improve the off-the-line acceleration of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. It is executed by firmly depressing the brake with the left foot, applying the throttle with the vehicle in gear to increase engine rpm, then releasing the brakes. Brake torquing is particularly effective with turbocharged cars because it helps overcome turbo lag.

brake warning light: An indicator light on the dash which indicates problems such as low fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir, a malfunction in any of the hydraulic brake circuits, or excessive wear of the brake pads or shoes. It also illuminates when the parkbrake is applied. When the ignition is first started, the light will illuminate momentarily to show that the light is working.

brake wrench: A wrench which is used to adjust the brake shoes. The British call it a "brake adjusting spanner."

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