A Lane Departure Camera alerts the driver whenever the vehicle is switching lanes without an activated turn signal. Some vehicles have this camera installed behind the rearview mirror or side mirrors.
The Lane Departure Warning Actuator is an actuator that is in charge of sending lane departure warnings to alert the driver. When the vehicle accidentally deviates from the correct lane, the lane departure warning actuator sends a signal that causes the driver’s seat to vibrate, informing the driver that they veered off lane. The actuator helps improve the driver’s situational awareness.
A Lateral Arm Bushing is a type of bearing that reduces friction at the pivot point of a vehicle’s lateral arm. It also facilitates the movement at that point. As part of the suspension system, the bushings enhance the lateral arm’s ability to protect the vehicle from bumps and vibrations while it cruises down the road. Lateral arm bushings are cylindrical with little nubs at each end. They have a hole in the center for the lateral arm to fit through.
Leading arm bushings function very similarly to any other suspension bushing in your vehicle. Leading arm bushings are rubber or polyurethane cushions that isolate vibrations and road noise while enhancing a vehicle’s handling. The leading arm bushing sits where the leading arm mounts to your vehicle’s body. A worn-out leading arm bushing can cause uneven tire wear, uneven braking, and a less predictable front end.
The leaf helper spring insulator pad is a spring-to-saddle bushing in a leaf spring suspension. This part might be needed if the rubber bushings wear out early because your vehicle hauls heavy loads over long distances. Leaf helper spring insulator pads sit between the leaf springs and leaf spring brackets, and they help dampen vibrations from driving over rough road surfaces. The leaf springs need these insulator pads to protect them from getting worn by the brackets.
The Leaf Spring is a metal component belonging to a vehicle’s suspension. It is made up of one or more narrow strips of spring steel, which are called leaves. The strips have plastic or rubber insulators between them to allow freedom of movement during spring operation.
In a typical leaf spring installation, the leaves are held together by a center bolt and the longest leaf attaches to the frame through a shackle and hanger.
The Leaf Spring Bolt Kit is a repair kit for a vehicle’s leaf spring bolts. Leaf spring bolts refer to the hardware that attach the leaf spring to a spring hanger or shackle. They’re typically made of hardened metal and paired with a rubber bushing. To replace a leaf spring bolt, you’ll need a repair kit that’s compatible with your vehicle. Most leaf spring bolt kits come with one bushing, one bolt, and one nut.
Leaf spring bumpers, jounce bumpers, or bump stops are typically made using closed-cell foam. These bumpers are designed to absorb impact, dampen noise, and reduce the harshness when the leaf spring bottoms out. Leaf springs are generally quite rigid. However, they can still hit the vehicle’s chassis whenever the spring bottoms out, which can happen when a vehicle hits a pothole or a curb. In a leaf spring suspension, the bumper is typically mounted between the axle tube and the chassis side rail.
The leaf spring bushing ensures that the leaf spring shackles stay attached to the vehicle’s frame, ensuring a solid connection between the axle assembly and the chassis. This part might be needed to replace old or worn-out bushings or if you plan to install new leaf springs and leaf spring shackles. Mounted on the leaf springs’ ends, leaf spring bushings keep the rear axle stable while moving. The rear axle needs the leaf spring bushing to prevent wandering.
The Leaf Spring Centerbolt is an important part of a leaf spring assembly, which is a type of suspension spring that is mounted to the vehicle’s chassis. The leaf spring is made up of several steel plates called leaves, which are held together by the centerbolt. The centerbolt effectively holds the leaves together while connecting them to the axle. A pair of U-bolts, one on either side of the centerbolt, also provides additional support.
A Leaf Spring Eye Bolt is a bolt specifically designed for the leaf spring in a vehicle’s suspension system, which absorbs bumps on the road during regular drives. Because leaf springs are formed out of several separate springs, they need to be held together by shackles and leaf spring eye bolts. The eye bolts are sometimes sold as a set with nuts and washers. They’re typically made out of sturdy metals that can handle the stress from the suspension system.
The Leaf Spring Hanger serves as a frame connector, linking the leaf springs and the suspension system’s shackles. They’re typically made of cast or stamped steel and differ in construction depending on the vehicle make and model. Leaf spring hangers are fixed onto the vehicle’s frame during the assembly process.They’re often sold in sets with the corresponding nuts and bolts required for assembly. Each leaf spring requires multiple leaf spring hangers to hold it in place.
A Leaf Spring Insulator is a protective material that prevents the springs from hitting each other as the vehicle moves. It also prevents excessive vibration and squeaking.
A leaf spring insulator is typically made from heavy-duty rubber, which can wear out over time. Driving with a worn-out or damaged leaf spring insulator can cause the leaf springs to groan when traversing over bumps.
Leaf springs are an important suspension component for off-road vehicles, trucks, and other heavy vehicles. Leaf springs are long, narrow, and thin metal plates that are clamped together and then attached to the axle and chassis. A leaf spring mount kit is a set of components that’s responsible for clamping these metal plates together and mounting them to a vehicle. These kits can contain nuts, lock washers, brackets, bushings, spring plates, U-bolts, and shackle kits.
The leaf spring pivot bracket is a part that bolts the leaf spring assemblies to the frame of the Willys Jeep. This part might be needed if you replace old or worn-out leaf spring assemblies in the suspension. Leaf springs are welded to the lower frame legs and often sold with bolts and grease nipples. The leaf springs depend on their pivot brackets to keep them attached to the frame.
A Leaf Spring Plate is a small, typically rectangular plate of metal with holes on its four corners. Leaf spring plates help hold leaf springs to a vehicle’s axle by attaching to the top of a series of u bolts. The u bolts and the leaf spring plate thus sandwich the leaf spring and the axle between them, holding them together securely. Leaf spring plates are often included in leaf spring mounting kits.
Leaf springs shackles and hangers hold leaf springs together and keep them connected to the vehicle’s chassis. The leaf spring shackles are the components that hang at the end of the leaf spring, ensuring the length of the leaf springs can change when your vehicle hits rocks, bumps, and potholes. Meanwhile, the leaf spring hanger supports the leaf spring and keeps it mounted to the chassis.
A Leak Detection Pump determines whether there are any vapor leaks in the evaporative emissions control system. It pumps pressurized air into the EVAP system to look for leaks that may be allowing gas vapors to escape. Once a pressure drop is detected by the vehicle computer, an error code is logged and the check engine light is illuminated.
A light-emitting diode (LED) bulb radiates light when current flows through the diode in the forwards-bias direction.
LED Bulbs generally require a forward-bias voltage that ranges between 1.5 and 2.2 volts.
Compared to incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs are considered to be more efficient because they generate little heat, with most of the energy consumed being converted directly into light.
LED bulbs are commonly used for tail lights, brake lights, daytime running lights, and headlights.
An LED Conversion Kit is an upgrade kit designed to replace traditional headlights with light-emitting diode (LED) technology. The kit usually includes the necessary cables and installation hardware to upgrade your automotive lights.
Before purchasing an LED conversion kit, it’s important to ensure its compatibility with the vehicle’s make and model.
A LED light bar is a long electrical light fixture that has several bulbs. It helps improve road visibility when going off-road and during inclement weather conditions.
LED light bars come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, allowing drivers to get one that looks and works great with their ride. They’re also available in different levels of brightness.
On the road, an exposed light bar can easily get scratched, cracked, or outright destroyed by flying debris. An LED Light Bar Cover protects your vehicle’s LED light bar from potential damage due to collisions or the elements.
An LED light bar windshield bracket is designed to hold LED light bars above a vehicle’s windshield. Visibility when it comes to traversing off-road courses is critical. Otherwise, you might not see an obstacle and end up damaging your vehicle. Hence, putting an LED light bar windshield bracket is important because it can give an LED light bar a higher light angle compared to putting the light on a vehicle’s grille. This can allow LED light bars to effectively light up dark back roads or off-road environments that have no lights.
The LED load resistor is a device that adjusts the electrical current to meet the different voltage requirements of an LED light. It acts as a resistive load that increases resistance to the current provided by the power supply, lowering the voltage of the current that reaches the LED light. LED load resistors help prevent electrical issues such as the LED light flickering or turning off because the light received the incorrect voltage.
An LED Offroad Light is designed to provide bright light while offroading. LED bulbs are small but durable, efficient, and long-lasting. Known for their power efficiency and light output, LED offroad lights are also typically cost-effective. LED offroad lights come in a variety of colors and pattern configurations to suit different offroading conditions. These configurations include a spot beam, fog beam, flood beam, scene beam, and diffusion beam. There are also driving beam configurations for off-road use and for on-road use as approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
A leveling kit is a collection of parts needed for an aftermarket suspension modification designed to lift a portion of a vehicle to match the stock height of its rear end. This increases the ride’s overall ground clearance.
This kit usually contains spacers, blocks, or torsion keys installed between the vehicle’s suspension components to increase the vehicle’s height.
The license plate bracket holds the vehicle’s front and rear license plates in place. It’s slightly elevated, so the plate isn’t flush against the paint. It also makes the license plate stand out for better visibility and improved aesthetic.
A License Plate Cover is a tinted or clear plastic cover that protects the license plate.
Some states like California prohibit the use of license plate covers and impose a $250 fine on violators because they can obscure or distort the characters on the registration tag.
A License Plate Frame is an accessory that helps protect the license plate from premature wear. A license plate frame is also installed for aesthetic purposes.
A license plate frame is typically made from a thin sheet of metal, which means it can easily get damaged from minor crashes.
License Plate Lights illuminate the license plate for better visibility. License plates are for official identification and uniquely identify the vehicle within the issuing region’s vehicle registration.
The license plate light connector is a length of wire with a connector at the end. This wire is meant to be connected to your vehicle’s license plate light. Meanwhile, the connector plugs into your vehicle’s wiring harness inside the tailgate or trunk. The wiring harness will then power the license plate light. Your vehicle’s wiring harnesses might have a specific connector type, so you’ll need a compatible license plate light connector.
The license plate light lens spreads the light generated by the license plate light bulb. This part might be needed if the current light lens has cracked, faded, or developed an issue that interferes with light dispersion or leaves the light bulb exposed. License plate light lenses are usually found on the upper side of the slotted area for license plates, and they keep debris and moisture from reaching the fragile light bulb. The license plate light relies on the lens to help illuminate the plate and protect the bulb.
The License Plate Light Socket is a socket for the vehicle’s license plate light bulb that’s typically made of high-quality rubber material. It helps power the light bulb, allowing the license plate to be visible in low-light conditions. Most light sockets are pre-wired for easy installation, making it easier to install bulbs without destroying the original socket. You can find universal sockets that can fit different makes and models, or you can get one that’s specifically designed for your vehicle.
The License Plate Light Socket Connector is a set of wires with a connector head that serves to link the license plate light socket to the rest of a vehicle’s electrical system. A license plate light bulb slots into the socket that the connector attaches to. This light, which is also called a tag light, allows other drivers to see a vehicle’s license plate even in dark areas. It’s illegal to drive in low light without a working tag light.
A license plate relocator is a license plate mount designed to move the license plate to the side of a vehicle’s bumper from the center. Some license plate relocators use the tow hook bolt to mount on your vehicle so you can mount your license plate on the side without drilling holes in your vehicle. Mounting the license plate on the side can also be beneficial for airflow since it can prevent parts of the grille from being covered.
The license plate retainer is a part that attaches the license plate to the vehicle’s body. This part might be needed if the stock or current license plate retainers are damaged or have gone missing. License plate retainers are mounted on a vehicle’s hatch, liftgate, rear bumper, or trunk, and consist of fasteners and push-in nuts. The license plate relies on the retainers to keep it attached to your vehicle.
Lift Supports are pressurized cylinders that are used to support the hood, hatch, liftgate, and trunk of the vehicle while you access its interior.
The Lift Support Bracket is a device used to attach a lift support to a surface that lacks existing attachment points. Lift support brackets are typically made of heavy gauge steel with several attachment holes and slotted mounting grooves to ensure secure installation. You can purchase brackets with or without lift supports and choose an L-shaped or flat-shaped bracket . Most universal brackets fit 10-millimeter ball studs and are resistant to rust and corrosion.
A Liftgate is a door that opens upward, which is typically found in the rear of an SUV, crossover, or hatchback sedan. It provides easy access to the cargo space often found behind the passenger seats.
There are two different types of liftgates: power liftgates and manual liftgates. Power liftgates are motorized and open and close by pressing a button. On the other hand, manual liftgates must be lifted by hand.
The liftgate bumper is a rubber stopper that touches the liftgate when it’s in the closed position. The bumper stops the liftgate’s motion when the liftgate is closed, preventing the lifegate and the vehicle’s body from getting damaged. Since the liftgate is wedged into the lifegate bumper when the liftgate is closed, the bumper’s rubber material also prevents the lifegate from making noise when the vehicle is in motion.
A liftgate control module controls specific aspects of an electric-powered liftgate. It opens and closes an automatic liftgate with programmable height.
A Liftgate Glass Hinge is used to mount the liftgate and help the driver open and close it with ease.
The liftgate glass latch is a part that helps lock the glass window of the liftgate in place. This part might be needed if the stock or current liftgate glass latch develops an issue that interferes with its ability to keep the liftgate glass window closed. The liftgate glass latch is mounted on the upper center of the vehicle’s liftgate frame. The liftgate glass relies on the latch to lock it in place when the glass is in the closed position.
The Liftgate Glass Seal is the seal inside the rear liftgate hatch surrounding the liftgate window’s glass. The window itself is integrated into the vehicle’s liftgate, which provides the driver with visibility when driving. An aluminum frame securing the window glass also holds the seal, which is typically made of rubber. The seal is also free from adhesives, making it unlikely for the seal to suddenly separate from the metal frame.
A Liftgate Harness Connector is an electro-mechanical device connected to the end of a group of wires called a harness. It links these wires to a circuit, which in turn controls a vehicle’s liftgate controls. The connector comes in the form of a male or female electric socket. Signals to the liftgate pass through the connector and the wires, instructing the liftgate to open or close. The signals originate from a foot sensor, button, or switch, which are present in case a driver’s hands are full and they need to open the liftgate. The wires, their configuration, and the connector type depend on the vehicle’s make and model.
A liftgate hinge is one of the most important parts of the liftgate. The hinge allows the liftgate to open and close smoothly. Additionally, the hinge also keeps the liftgate securely in place while your vehicle is moving. Liftgate hinges have to be durable since they support the weight of the liftgate when it’s opened. Hence, they’re typically made from stamped steel and are bolted onto the vehicle’s chassis. Liftgate hinges can be purchased individually or in pairs.
The Liftgate Latch is the metal bar latch attached to the liftgate of a vehicle to keep it fastened or closed. It’s a mechanical fastener that attaches two or more surfaces while allowing for normal separation. Liftgate latches allow for a secure connection between the liftgate and the rear of the vehicle.
The liftgate latch handle is a hinged handle that lets you open and close the liftgate door. This part might be needed if you can’t open the liftgate because of a faulty or worn-out handle. Liftgate latch handles are mounted on a vehicle’s rear door panel. The liftgate relies on its latch handle to enable access to the vehicle’s rear cargo area.
The Liftgate Lock is an important part of the rear liftgate locking system, which locks, unlocks, and opens the liftgate whenever you press a button. The liftgate lock helps secure your vehicle’s liftgate. It prevents the liftgate from suddenly opening, which can be a safety hazard when driving in traffic. Liftgate locks can vary in size and design, but they’re usually made of high-quality steel.
The Liftgate Lock Actuator allows drivers to lock, unlock, and open the liftgate when pressing a button from inside their vehicles. Aside from a locking mechanism, it may also be equipped with a switch that alerts the vehicle computer when the liftgate is left open.
The Liftgate Release Motor is responsible for opening and closing a vehicle’s liftgate. The motor itself draws power from the car battery to raise or lower the liftgate. This allows people to access the cargo space at the back with a press of a button. The liftgate release motor is often found in or around the rear of the vehicle.
The liftgate release switch is the button above your vehicle’s license plate. When the button is pressed, a signal is sent to the liftgate door lock actuator, which unlocks the liftgate and allows it to open. The liftgate release switch is composed of a button that’s mounted or screwed onto the liftgate and a connector that connects to the liftgate’s wiring harness. Some liftgate release switches don’t have a wiring harness connector. Instead, the wires are expected to be soldered to the vehicle’s wires.
Also known as a lift support or gas strut, the Liftgate Strut is a component responsible for opening and holding up the liftgate when it’s raised. This strut relies on pressurized gas inside a cylinder to support the weight of the liftgate.
Common Power Liftgate Problems and How to Diagnose Them
The Liftgate Switch is a button that controls a vehicle’s liftgate. The liftgate is another name for the hatch on a hatchback vehicle. It’s the fifth door that covers the vehicle’s rear storage or seating area. Clicking the liftgate switch when it’s located on the outside of the vehicle unlatches the liftgate and allows it to open. If the liftgate switch is located in the cabin or the key fob, it sends a signal to the liftgate to open. Some liftgate switches can also close the liftgate remotely when pressed.
The Liftgate Trim is the trim panel attached to the liftgate of a hatchback, SUV, or van. This part might be needed if the current or existing liftgate trim is damaged or worn out. Mounted on the vehicle’s liftgate, the liftgate trim covers some of the internal workings of the hatch. The liftgate needs the trim to help seal it off and protect its parts from getting exposed.
A Light Bar is a type of lighting accessory typically mounted on the roof of an SUV or a truck. It is an alternative to stacking headlights on top of headlights to get a higher light output for off-roading and driving in the dark.
A Light Bar Mounting Bracket attaches to a modified truck to provide a place on which a light bar can be mounted. They can hold light bars of different lengths. Occasionally, light bar mounting brackets come with a bar on which other types of truck lights can be attached. The size and style of these brackets vary depending on how much weight the brackets can carry and the type of lights they can accomodate.
A Light Bar Mounting Kit contains all the necessary hardware to install a light bar, including wiring harnesses, brackets, and bolts. A light bar is typically mounted to the roof of a truck or an SUV.
Light Bulbs are typically installed in headlamps, tail lights, and interior lighting fixtures to increase visibility.
Light bulbs come in LED, halogen, and xenon variants. LED lights are the most common bulb type used in vehicles today because of their brightness, low energy consumption, and long service life.
Halogen lights have a tungsten filament that produces light via heat induction. These bulbs typically produce a white light with a yellowish tint.
Lastly, xenon lights are considered to be twice as bright as halogen bulbs, but they consume more energy. Xenon bulbs produce a white-blue light that resembles daylight.
The Light Control Module integrates and activates the various lights of the vehicle. It also has control over other crucial vehicle functions, such as the turn signals and the car horn. This module can typically be found underneath the vehicle’s dashboard, close to the steering rack.
A Light Guard protects the area of the tail light and/or the headlight during minor collisions. Light guards are usually made of steel, chrome, or aluminum.
The Light Kit contains various parts for replacing headlights and tail lights. This kit might be needed if the vehicle’s current lights have issues or you want to upgrade them. Depending on its contents, the light kit’s lighting parts are mounted on the vehicle’s front or rear. The light kit’s vehicle lights help illuminate the road when it’s dark.
The Light Mount is an accessory that secures additional lights to your SUV or pickup truck without removing the original lights. Each mount can carry at least two lights, making it a great investment for drivers who often go off-roading. Most light mounts are made of steel and aluminum. While steel mounts are less likely to rust, aluminum mounts typically last longer. You can find different types of light mounts on the market, such as a bar clamp that mounts a horizontal or vertical bar to your vehicle.
A liquid transfer tank is designed to hold non-flammable liquid for safe transportation from one place to another. Unlike normal containers, these tanks are made from durable materials to prevent leaks, spills, and contamination. Some tanks come with a built-in tool box.
The Liquid Transfer Tank is a container for fuel or other liquids that’s shaped to fit in a truck bed. This tank makes hauling liquids to job sites or other areas easier. It sometimes acts as both a toolbox and a transfer tank with a section cordoned off for tool storage. Transfer tanks are labeled according to the type of liquid they can hold. Some transfer tanks can only haul water while others are specifically suited to diesel or gasoline. Their size and capacity depends on the truck type they fit into. These tanks are also called slip tanks.
The Lock Washer is a type of washer that prevents a nut or screw from loosening. Exposure to vibration and varying load can cause the nuts to go loose, but a lock washer exerts an additional force that prevents this from happening. It acts as a spring that pushes against the nut, preventing the threads from loosening. There are different types of lock washers, such as the split lock washer, spring washer, and wedge washer.
The Locking Hubs engage and disengage the front wheels from the front axle shafts. This reduces mechanical drag and increases fuel economy since it keeps parts not needed in 2WD mode from rotating.
The Lowering Kit is a set of parts and tools used to lower a vehicle’s suspension, improving stability by bringing the center of gravity down. This gives vehicles a sleeker appearance since they will be angled closer to the ground.
Lowering kits often come with lowering springs designed to replace the stock springs and lower the vehicle by one to three inches.
The Lowering Springs are a type of suspension spring that lower a vehicle’s stance when installed. They replace OEM coil springs and bring down either the vehicle’s front or rear stance. They can lower the stance between 0.5 to 3 inches when installed. Car customizers pair lowering springs with either OEM shocks or aftermarket, adjustable shocks. The lowering springs allow for a non-adjustable, static ride height. The springs also lower the vehicle’s center of gravity.
The Lug Bolt, also known as the wheel bolt, is used to secure a wheel to a vehicle. These bolts come with a threaded shaft and tapered head. They are inserted into the wheel insert, through the rotor hat, and straight to the hub to keep the wheel secure.
Lug nuts are responsible for holding your vehicle’s wheels onto the wheel hub stud. Lug nuts are rounded nuts that are screwed with a wrench with a lot of torque to ensure they don’t fall off. Depending on your vehicle’s wheel hub, each wheel can have four, five, or more lug nuts. Lug nuts can come in various shapes or types. These include conical, hex, and open-ended lug nuts. Over time, lug nuts can wear out since they’re constantly exposed to the elements.
The lug nut cover is a small cap that covers the lug nuts. This part might be needed to protect a lug nut from corrosion and premature wear. Lug nut covers fit over the visible end of the lug nuts , and they block air, moisture, and dirt from reaching the fasteners. They help extend the service lives of the lug nuts.
The Lug Wrench is a type of wrench that’s used for loosening or tightening lug nuts. Also known as a tire iron, it’s a socket wrench that’s often used to tighten the lug nuts on wheels. There are different types of lug wrenches, such as lug master key sets and a 4-way cross lug wrench. They’re usually made of durable steel and come in different shapes and sizes.
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