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They all have these little shields on the left torso. What are these call? I don't see many people putting them on their terminators.

Also, do they always go on the left torso? I am having a hard time fitting them on.

I think they have a relation to the old medieval joint plate. Basically it protected the exposed joint, which I think is the same here. The last platemail designs had these so that the joint would be protected with the arm outstretched. Jousting suits also had similar joint protectors. I believe this is where the idea came from and it's just another customization for heraldry and such. I believe you can put them on either side, but they seemto fit best on the left.

Apart from armor, they're also a place to show off your heraldry. Basically a "chapter symbol goes here" thing to show off which chapter they're from.

Also, I seem to recall in the fluff something about space marines who had been selected to wear terminator armor were required to wear their "terminator honor" at all times. It wasn't just a title, it was also a physical object (that skull with cross thing). Perhaps it was the device that allowed them to teleport or somesuch. In any case, unless they still have that bit on the sprue, I assume that the shield has been included perhaps in part to replace this.

They are called besagues and are there to stop an enemy from getting the tip of their blade into your armpit joint which is not as armored and untimately delivering the killing thrust into your chest cavity.

Cool, I knew what they were for, but didn't know what they were called.