What is the most important mechanical part on a vehicle

Wheels first otherwise you won't be going far, secondly steering - it's alright to go straight ahead for a while but it gets boring after awhile, thirdly the brakes (feet).Well I have my billy cart.Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW

like anything theres no point having something without anything else
no wheels no go no motor no go no brakes no go or should i say no stop.
they all need each other!

The nut behind the wheel.....

how about the key?

Bearings !!!!!!!!

Cars, like human beings need FUEL!DOING IT! LOVING IT!

the bit you don't have, that's stopped the vehicle.

Some say wheels/steering/nut behind the wheel, but without brakes, none of them are any use.

Then someone else answered it well, they all rely on each other for different things...

Batteries, alternator, fan belts....._____________________________________________
Countin the days till July 5th. *Cape York Trip*
_____________________________________________

Central Locking and Air ConditioningCheers,
Stuart
- To err is human, to moo bovine -

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ without it you wont have a 4x4 or the money to replace / repair / add to it Born to drive a 4x4 , not a keyboard
Peter York 4x4

you can have the best tyres/newest motor/highest lift/best suspention/brand new brakes ect but when your clutch starts slipping better hope it down hill all the way home.easter fun at jamison

Hi folks:
Using the principles of "lateral thinking", as preached by Dr Bono, I mentally composed a list of all the bits I would leave off my 4WD. The remaining bits would then be the most important. I then found there was nothing I could leave off .. Conclusion: They are all important for the function they perform ... none more important than the other, yet all equally important.

Do I win the prize?????
Did I hear someone coughing in the background???????
Whaddya mean you are witholding my prize money??????

Cheers and safe travels
Jack

A brain giving out electical impulses of common sense without which the whole vehicle becomes a useless pile of metal/plastic and rubber.

Do cupholders count as mechanical items??

I'll just add my Two Cents Worth.

The Engine can run with less than the amount of Cylinders It had.
The Gearbox can still move the Vehicle if you can get at least one gear.
You can still Move with A Flat Tyre/Tyres.
If it's a 4WD, You can still move with a Buggered Diff.
If your Radiator Blows and your vehicle OverHeats, You can move again after it's cooled down.

But What Happens if you run out of oil? What Happens if your Oil Filter Blocks Up.

If You Run Out Of Oil Or Your Filter Blocks Up, You Aint Gonna Move.

So, How do get around a problem like that?

Just My Two Cents Worth. (Do I Get Change?)

Damian

Well, for what it is worth....... I spent some time in the High Country when the fires were on and my 4x4 was really tested. Have just spent 2 weeks in the same area with lots of hills etc. Have just read the responses here and think that, although not mechanical, KNOWLEGE appears to be the most important. Listening to informed people, learning from their and our own experiences will get me a long way. Everyone seems to have something positive to offer. Thanks to all.