ASE A4 Steering and Suspension Practice Test

alignment chart

51. The steering wheel on the vehicle in the alignment chart above snaps back to the center too quickly. The MOST likely cause of this condition is:

  • A. Excessive toe-in.
  • B. Excessive positive caster.
  • C. Out of balance tires.
  • D. Negative camber.
alignment chart

51.

Answer A is wrong. The toe is within specifications; too much toe-in causes hard steering.

Answer B is correct. Excessive positive caster will cause a shimmy at higher speeds and excessive steering wheel snapback.

Answer C is wrong. An out of balance tire causes a vibration that increases with vehicle speed.

Answer D is wrong. The camber angle is within specifications. Camber is a tire wearing angle; a vehicle will pull to the side with the most camber.

52. A rack and pinion power steering system is binding in one spot, only while turning left. Which of the following is MOST likely causing this condition?

  • A. A worn ball joint.
  • B. Loose tie rod ends.
  • C. A binding universal joint coupling.
  • D. A fractured tooth on the rack gear.

52.

Answer A is wrong. The ball joints allow the steering knuckle to swivel and pivot; a worn ball joint causes a bind in both directions.

Answer B is wrong. A binding steering universal coupling or intermediate shaft will bind in more than one spot, each time the steering wheel makes a revolution.

Answer C is wrong. Loose tie rods make a clunking or popping noise while turning.

Answer D is correct. A fractured tooth on a rack gear results in a bind or skip only in a specific spot. Each of the other answers would have a problem making a turn in either direction.

53. The back of a light truck with a solid rear axle and a coil-spring suspension is squeaking and making clunking noises while traveling over small bumps in the road. Which of the following is LEAST likely to cause this noise?

  • A. The trailing control arm bushings.
  • B. The steering rack mounting bushings.
  • C. The leading control arm bushings.
  • D. The track bar bushings.

53.

Answer A is wrong. Rear control arms that are fastened to the body by a large rubber bushing and extend back to the axle ahead of the wheel are considered trailing control arms.

Answer B is correct. Steering rack mount bushings are in the front of the vehicle and are not likely to make a sound in the rear. They cushion and fasten the steering rack to the chassis. Worn steering rack mounting bushings cause changes in toe, and wander.

Answer C is wrong. Control arms are used to control axle movement as the vehicle accelerates and travels over bumps in the road.

Answer D is wrong. Track bars are bars with bushings at each end to help control lateral or side to side axle movement.

54. After test driving a vehicle for several miles, the TPMS warning light goes out. Which of the following is MOST likely causing this condition?

  • A. Different sized tires.
  • B. A clogged TPMS sensor.
  • C. The initialization process.
  • D. Low tire air pressure.

54.

Answer A is wrong. Different sized tires on a vehicle affect the ABS brake system. The TPMS sensor senses air pressure.

Answer B is wrong. A TPMS ( Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor has a port to sense the tire's air pressure. If it becomes clogged, the sensor will indicate low air pressure to the module, and the TPMS light will stay illuminated until repaired.

Answer C is wrong. Initialization is a process of synchronizing a sensor to the controller. It senses and registers essential information like the sensor's ID.

Answer D is correct. When the light stays on for several minutes of driving and then goes out, one of the tires could have low air pressure. As the tire heats from driving, the air pressure increases, and the light goes out. Check all four tires and the spare for proper air pressure. Recommended air pressures are on the driver's side door or door jam.

Illustration of tire wear.

55. Which of the following is true about the tire in the illustration?

  • A. It is underinflated.
  • B. It is overinflated.
  • C. There is too much camber.
  • D. The coil spring on that wheel is weak.

55.

Answer A is wrong. An underinflated tire will show premature wear on its shoulders.

Answer B is correct. An overinflation wears the center of a tire's tread.

Answer C is wrong. Too much camber wears either the inner or the outer tread of the tire.

Answer D is wrong. Weak coil springs cause tire cupping.