Glossary of Terms
W
The W-30 is a performance package that was carried in the very highest performing Oldsmobile 4-4-2 models. This package included forced-air induction and a hotter cam.
Watts Linkage --A rear axle locating component designed to keep the body centered over the rear axle during hard corning
Wave Washer --A thin, warped round spring washer.
Wheel (Steering) --The device mounted in the cockpit that allows the driver to manually control the direction of the vehicle’s motion. The wheel is normally circular and is turned clockwise or counterclockwise to manipulate the direction of the driven wheels.
Wheel Cover --A removable decorative covering for a road wheel.
Wheel Cylinder --The hydraulic cylinder at the wheels of the braking system, when engaged by hydraulic pressure expands the brake shoes so that they can make contact with the brake hubs creating friction thereby slowing or stopping the vehicle.
Wheel Spacer --A plate that is mounted between a road wheel and a hub to increase track by increasing the distance between the inside wheel and the hub.
Wheel Trim Rings --Decorative attachments that cover the rim area of the wheels.
Wheel Well --The area under a fender.
Wheelbase --Refers to the distance between the front and rear centerlines of a car while the front wheels are facing perfectly straight ahead.
Windage Tray --An internal tray inside an engine oil pan designed to insure that the oil remained around the oil pick up during hard acceleration, hard braking, and hard corning.
Windows (Door or Side) --Opening where a window is placed along the latitudinal axis of a car. Windows may be aligned with either the frontal and/or rear seating areas. Does not include a “vent” window.
Windows (Quarter (1/4)) --On a 2-door or a 4-door vehicle, the small window that is positioned as far back on a car as possible while still being positioned at 90 degree angle to the longitudinal axis of the car. Such windows are placed to the rear of the rearmost door and serve little purpose other than to provide added visibility as they do not usually open or roll up or down. These windows are not considered “rear” windows.
Windows (Rear) --Windows found in the rear half of the car, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Windshield (Windscreen) --The large piece of transparent glass that spans the front face of the car and diverts the flow of the air over the car so that it does not obstruct the driver’s vision.
Windshield Pillar --A body part extending upward from the cowl area and providing support for the windshield.
Wing --A component attached to the outside of a car that uses aerodynamic forces to create downforce on the car. The action of air flowing over both the upper and lower surfaces of the vehicle creates a pressure differential resulting in downforce.
Wiring Harness --Electrical wires providing electrical links in a car.
Wishbone Type Suspension --Suspension in which the lower and sometimes upper locating links are in the form of a wishbone (also known as an “A-frame”). This form of suspension also provides the lateral, and part of the fore/aft wheel location.
Woodward Avenue --A long road in the Detroit area made famous by its history of street racing in the ‘60s. Though it has been said that many muscle-era cars were developed and tested there by factory engineers the road is now used for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.
Working Chamber --The area inside a rotary engine. It is defined by the case and the two adjacent rotor tip seals, but since these parts are in motion, this volume will vary.
Worm and Sector --A type of steering gear in which steering forces are transmitted to the steering linkage via a worm gear and a sector.
Wrist Pin --A part creating a physical link between the connecting rod and piston.
