ASE A4 Steering Suspension Practice Test

1. While checking the vehicle's wheel alignment after a repair, it is noticed that it has excessive positive camber on one side and excessive negative camber on the other. Which of the following has MOST likely caused this condition?

  • A. The rear axle has shifted.
  • B. The engine cradle has shifted.
  • C. Low tire pressure.
  • D. Loose tie rods.

1.

Answer A is wrong. A crooked or misaligned engine cradle will affect a vehicle's camber angle.

Answer B is correct. The engine cradle has both lower control arms attached. These control arms affect the vehicle's alignment angles.

Answer C is wrong. Camber angles result in pull and tire wear. A vehicle will always pull to the side with the most positive (+) camber.

Answer D is wrong. Most cradles have alignment holes/pins that assist in cradle alignment. If the engine cradle has shifted during a repair, one side will have too much positive camber, and the other side will have too much negative camber.

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2. Technician A says the (SAI) steering axis inclination is built-in by the manufacturer and not adjustable. Technician B says SAI and the caster angle affect steering wheel return to center. Who is correct?

  • A. Technician A
  • B. Technician B
  • C. Both A and B
  • D. Neither A or B

2.

Answer A is wrong. Positive caster and the SAI angle provide for greater stability and better steering wheel return to center. The SAI angle is an imaginary line drawn through the upper strut and the lower ball joint and another true vertical line that runs through the center of the tire.

Answer B is wrong. A positive caster angle provides steering wheel returnability.

Answer C is correct. Steering axis inclination is built-in by the manufacturer and not adjustable. Unlike SAI, the caster angle is adjustable.

Answer D is wrong. Positive caster and the SAI angle provide for greater stability and help the vehicle travel in a straight line.

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3. The compressor of an air suspension system runs continuously. All of the following statements are correct EXCEPT:

  • A. Disable the system before lifting the vehicle.
  • B. Use soapy water to search for leaks.
  • C. The airbag compressor's relay is stuck open.
  • D. Use a scanner to retrieve fault codes.

3.

Answer A is wrong. Lifting a vehicle without disabling or turning this switch off may cause damage to the air suspension system.

Answer B is wrong. Spraying the suspected area with soapy water helps detect any leaks in the system.

Answer C is correct. The compressor will not run with an open in the compressor's circuit. Follow the manufacturer's procedures and specifications when testing circuits.

Answer D is wrong. Factory systems are usually computer-controlled. Use a scanner to retrieve fault codes that identify which part of the system to troubleshoot.

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4. A vehicle with a rack and pinion steering system wanders and has a popping sound when taking turns. Which of the following is MOST likely causing these symptoms?

  • A. Weak coil springs.
  • B. Loose tie rods.
  • C. Worn idler arm.
  • D. Aerated power steering fluid.

4.

Answer A is wrong. Weak coil springs increase ride harshness and the chance of the spring bottoming out. When worn, it is always best to replace coil springs in pairs.

Answer B is correct. Loose tie rods make a clunking or popping sound when the wheel is turned and cause a vehicle to wander.

Answer C is wrong. Parallelogram steering systems have an idler arm opposite of the pitman arm. It fixes the center link preventing it from moving and flexing as the vehicle travels over bumps and turns in the road.

Answer D is wrong. Air in the power steering system affects performance and causes the system to make a whining or moaning sound.

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5. Which of the following is true about directional tires?

  • A. Directional tires tend to hydroplane more than standard all-season tires do.
  • B. Directional tires must not be rotated front to rear.
  • C. Directional tires must be dismounted and remounted if rotated front to rear.
  • D. Directional tires are designed to spin or rotate in only one direction.

5.

Directional tire.

Answer A is wrong. Directional tires are designed to channel water away from the center of the tire and outwards, reducing the chance of hydroplaning on wet surfaces.

Answer B is wrong. The left front tire may only be rotated to the left rear. The same is true for the right front tire; it can only be rotated with the right rear. Directional tires have a V-shaped tread pattern.

Answer C is wrong. When mounting or rotating directional tires, make sure the arrow is pointing toward the front of the vehicle.

Answer D is correct. Directional tires have an arrow on the sidewall that faces the front of the vehicle and must always spin in one direction. They have to be kept on the same side of the vehicle and not rotated to the other side.

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