ASE A4 Steering and Suspension Practice Test

56. A vehicle's front wheels have excessive positive camber on one side and excessive negative camber on the other. Which of these is MOST likely causing this condition?

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

56.

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.

57. 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

57.

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.

58. 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.

58.

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.

59. 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.

59.

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.

60. A technician is bleeding air from a hydraulic power steering system. All of the following are true about bleeding hydraulic power steering systems EXCEPT:

  • A. Raise the front tires off the ground.
  • B. Turn the steering wheel left and right from stop to stop to remove air from the system.
  • C. Flush with clean power steering fluid.
  • D. Hold the wheel against each steering stop for at least ten seconds.

60.

Answer A is wrong. The tires are raised in the air to prevent flat spots.

Answer B is wrong. Turn the wheel left and right from stop to stop to bleed air from the system.

Answer C is wrong. Use the recommended fresh power steering fluid.

Answer D is correct. Do not hold the wheel against the steering stops for more than five seconds. Doing so quickly increases system pressure and can damage power steering components.

ASE A4 Steering and Suspension Quiz
Scored (out of 100%)