A cross man gets car parts (5)
I believe the answer is:
axles
'car parts' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a cross man' is the wordplay.
'cross' becomes 'x' (X is cross-shaped).
'man' becomes 'les' ().
'a'+'x'+'les'='AXLES'
'gets' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for axles that I've seen before include "Shaft on which wheels rotate" , "Rods between wheels" , "Wheel rods" , "Shafts of wheels" , "They may be involved in turning" .)