ASE A4 Steering Suspension Practice Test

1. A technician uses a steel hammer to remove a loose tie rod end from an aluminum steering knuckle. Which of the following is correct?

  • A. Care should be taken not to strike the threaded ball socket.
  • B. Care should be taken not to strike the loose tie rod end.
  • C. Use a puller, not a hammer, to remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
  • D. Use a puller to apply pressure while striking the steering knuckle with moderate force to remove the loose tie rod end.

1.

Answer A is wrong. Use a puller on aluminum parts. They also save threaded parts from unwanted damage.

Answer B is wrong. Striking an aluminum part with a hammer can easily dent it or cause irreversible damage.

Answer C is correct. Using the appropriate puller can save time and the part that’s being removed.

Answer D is wrong. Answer C is correct.

2. Technician A says Electric Power Steering systems require inputs from the steering torque sensor and the vehicle speed sensor to operate the system's electric motor. Technician B says to use a scan tool to retrieve trouble codes from an EPS system. Who is correct?

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

2.

Answer A is wrong. Both technicians are correct. These systems require inputs from torque, angle, and speed sensors.

Answer B is wrong. Use the appropriate scan tool to retrieve trouble codes and view system data.

Answer C is correct. Both technicians are correct.

Answer D is wrong. Read more about EPS power steering systems by clicking the Read More... button.

3. A growling sound is heard from the front of a vehicle that increases with speed and gets louder while turning left. Which of the following is causing this noise?

  • A. A cupped left front tire tread.
  • B. A cupped right front tire tread.
  • C. A bad left front wheel bearing.
  • D. A bad right front wheel bearing.

3.

Answer A is wrong. A cupped tire changes its pitch from one surface to another. This change in pitch is true with all tires but much more pronounced with a cupped or scalloped tire.

Answer B is wrong. A cupped tire will make a humming or growling noise.

Answer C is wrong. The vehicle's weight works the bearing on the outside of the turn. For instance, a faulty left front wheel bearing is loudest while turning right.

Answer D is correct. A faulty right front wheel bearing is loudest while turning left.

4. Which of the following is used to flush old dark-colored power steering fluid from a hydraulic power steering system?

  • A. Solvent
  • B. Brake cleaner
  • C. Carburetor cleaner
  • D. Power steering fluid

4.

Answer A is wrong. Flushing the system removes contaminants and debris.

Answer B is wrong. Brake cleaner is not used to flush power steering systems.

Answer C is wrong. Carburetor cleaner is not used for flushing power steering systems.

Answer D is correct. Power steering fluid is used to flush power steering systems. Many manufacturers recommend flushing with a solvent-free power steering cleaner before a regular fluid exchange or every 50,000 miles.

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.

Dismount and flip or rotate directional tires front to rear and not diagonally.

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, ensure the arrow is pointing toward the front of the vehicle.

Answer D is correct. When rotating, never crisscross these tires. The tires must be dismounted and flipped before moving to the other side.