The one that drives me nuts is the rod in the W126 front suspension that goes back from the lower control arm to the chassis. I've worked on Chrysler products most of my adult life, and they call the analagous part (although it goes forward from the LCA, not back) a "Strut Rod."

I've heard about five names for it, including "Compliance Strut" which makes me think it's somehow submissive.

Oh, you mean the track rod. Or the guide rod. or the brake strap. or the castor something or other...

My theory is that diesels (like a 123 240 auto) really don't accelerate. They more or less "accumulate" velocity (and veerryyy slowly, at that). Therefore, the pedal is an accumulator?
Other than that I agree, using the correct term helps to be precise in our communication. If I tell you to whack something with a BFH, ya'll know what I mean more or less. If I tell you to use a soft face hammer on something, we have gone up a level in precision. (btw, I actually heard someone tell a partner to use a BFH (by the letters-not the full phase!) on a CSI or something one time. Was rolling on the floor laughing at seeing the terminology used on public braodcast.

True names
 

Refer to my thread:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=618621#post618621

Post #10 for W126 part names in that area.

I thought it was "Assume" ass-u-me! :D

I believe that it is in a tie with "you know". You know that have no clue of the right words to use, you know, and I must say "you know" throughout my dialog because it's obvious that you have no idea what I'm talking about, you know.

Re Vacuum Pod....

http://www.mawsolutions.com/ACDI.html

I don't know where it started... but seems to be in common use ( inside my mind ) .... LOL

man.i needed something like that... didn't know those vacuum pod can be fix. i had to buy new ones. they're not cheap.

German word for motor
 

I thought the Germans called everything mechanical "das machinen" (based on watching a couple of WWII movies) .....

is there a difference between "rear carrier" and "differential"? according to the guy at silverstar recycling, they are one in the same

Yes, he is right.
 

But the majority of people call it a differential.

ask him for a "third member" and see what he says. ;)

It's a problem but there probably is not a cure. Everyone knows what a Bowden cable is but.......try to order one from Fastlane or MB. Kickdown Cable is the proper word.

For what it's worth, the carrier is a component within the differential, not the differential itself. Still, the terms for the most part can be used interchangeably.

There are many ways to call things, especially in English. Though other languages express certain aspects of a thing, putting a spin, if you will on it's usage and so forth. One of my favorites is the German word for airplane - Flugzeug. Translates as: fly thing or flying thing.

The Italians call a car 'la machina'. The machine.

I used to teach english as a second language to immigrants. I got to know a little of a number of other languages as a result, but the most useful thing I learned was that all of the students agreed that English is complicated because there are usually six different ways to say something. And it's hard to know which to use if you are learning the language.

So, if you hear something and understand it, why bother correcting some one. If you don't understand (which is a much greater source of problems) then just ask...

DS
87 300D
Northern Iowa