ASE T5 SUSPENSION & STEERING PRACTICE
TEST 3 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
1. A device that is used on suspensions to primarily absorb energy and dampen suspension
oscillation is called:
A. An equalizer bracket.
B. A torque rod.
C. A spring.
D. A shock absorber.
Answer A is incorrect. An equalizer bracket is used to mount and house the equalizer.
Answer B is incorrect. The torque arm is used to control axle rotational forces and to maintain
and adjust axle alignment.
Answer C is incorrect. The spring assemblies distribute the vehicle load across the frame and
provide a cushion between the road surface and the vehicle.
Answer D is correct. Shock absorbers dampen spring oscillation by limiting the effects of spring
jounce and rebound
2. Upon inspection, excessive play in the steering column assembly on a truck equipped
with a tilt steering column is noted. Which of the following would be the LEAST LIKELY
cause?
A. Loose lock shoe in the support
B. Faulty anti-lash spring in the centering sphere
C. Loose tilt head pivot pins
D. Column mounting bracket bolts loose
,Answer A is incorrect. Tilt mechanisms are designed to allow for the column to be adjusted and
then held securely in that position by the lock shoe mechanism. If the lock shoe pin and wedge
lock components are worn, excessive movement in the steering column would be the result.
Answer B is correct. A faulty anti-lash spring might cause the housing to be loose, but it would
not cause excessive play in the steering column assembly.
Answer C is incorrect. The main housing pivots on the pivot screws located on each side of the
main housing support bracket. If the pins become worn, the steering column would have
excessive movement because the pivot pins are not holding the column securely in place.
Answer D is incorrect. The column mounting bolt bracket secures the column. If the bracket
bolts become loose, the column would shift and have movement in the steering column
assembly.
4. While discussing steering system components, Technician A states that a typical single-
axle truck system has one Ackerman arm. Technician B says that the Ackerman arm
controls turning radius. Who is correct?
A only
B only
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Answer A is incorrect. There are two Ackerman arms in the steering system.
Answer B is correct. Only Technician B is correct. Ackerman arms control the turning radius and
allow for each front wheel to rotate on different arcs while turning.
Answer C is incorrect. Only Technician B is correct.
Answer D is incorrect. Technician B is correct.
,5. A driver complains that after hitting a bump his vehicle suddenly veers to the right or
left. Which of these is the LEAST LIKELY cause?
A. A loose idler arm
B. A damaged relay rod
C. A worn tie rod end
D. A wheel out of balance
Answer A is incorrect. A loose idler arm will cause fluctuation in the steering when striking a
bump.
Answer B is incorrect. A damaged relay rod can cause veering when striking a bump because of
looseness in the ball joint end of the relay rod.
Answer C is incorrect. A worn tie rod end can cause veering when striking a bump because of
looseness in the ball joint end of the tie rod.
Answer D is correct. Wheel balance will not cause veering, only a shaking in the steering wheel.
6. The alignment angle that is LEAST LIKBLY to cause the greatest tire wear is.
A. Castor.
B. Turning radius.
C. Toe-in.
D. Camber.
Answer A is correct. Castor is a non tire wearing angle. Excessive Castor will be present with
steerability complaints and wheel shimmy at low speeds.
Answer B is incorrect. Turning radius usually does not cause tire wear unless the Ackerman arms
are damaged or the wrong Ackerman arm is installed.
Answer C is incorrect. Toe in causes the greatest tire wear. Improper toe adjustment causes rapid
, tire wear, which may result in tire failure, collision damage, and personal injury. Excessive toe
Out causes wear on the inside of the tire tread ribs and a sharp feathered edge on the outside of
the tread ribs. If excessive toe-in is present, the tire tread wear is reverses
Answer D is incorrect. Camber can cause tire wear but not as great a tire wearing angle as toein
Technician A states that in order for a steerable suspension to steer or track correctly, it is
necessary for the front wheels to be in a toe-out condition. Technician B says that the toe
setting should be between 1/16 inch and 1/8 inch. Who is correct?
A only
B only
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Answer A is incorrect. The front wheels need to be in a toe-in condition.
Answer B is correct. Only Technician B is correct. The toe setting should be between 1/16 inch
and 1/8 inch.
Answer C is incorrect. Only Technician B is correct.
Answer D is incorrect. Technician B is correct.
Alignment procedures are being discussed. Technician A says that installing the caster
shim between the axle and spring with the thick part to the rear will make the caster angle
positive Technician B says installing the caster shim between the axle and spring with the
low side at the front will make the caster angle more negative. Who is correct?
A only
B only
TEST 3 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
1. A device that is used on suspensions to primarily absorb energy and dampen suspension
oscillation is called:
A. An equalizer bracket.
B. A torque rod.
C. A spring.
D. A shock absorber.
Answer A is incorrect. An equalizer bracket is used to mount and house the equalizer.
Answer B is incorrect. The torque arm is used to control axle rotational forces and to maintain
and adjust axle alignment.
Answer C is incorrect. The spring assemblies distribute the vehicle load across the frame and
provide a cushion between the road surface and the vehicle.
Answer D is correct. Shock absorbers dampen spring oscillation by limiting the effects of spring
jounce and rebound
2. Upon inspection, excessive play in the steering column assembly on a truck equipped
with a tilt steering column is noted. Which of the following would be the LEAST LIKELY
cause?
A. Loose lock shoe in the support
B. Faulty anti-lash spring in the centering sphere
C. Loose tilt head pivot pins
D. Column mounting bracket bolts loose
,Answer A is incorrect. Tilt mechanisms are designed to allow for the column to be adjusted and
then held securely in that position by the lock shoe mechanism. If the lock shoe pin and wedge
lock components are worn, excessive movement in the steering column would be the result.
Answer B is correct. A faulty anti-lash spring might cause the housing to be loose, but it would
not cause excessive play in the steering column assembly.
Answer C is incorrect. The main housing pivots on the pivot screws located on each side of the
main housing support bracket. If the pins become worn, the steering column would have
excessive movement because the pivot pins are not holding the column securely in place.
Answer D is incorrect. The column mounting bolt bracket secures the column. If the bracket
bolts become loose, the column would shift and have movement in the steering column
assembly.
4. While discussing steering system components, Technician A states that a typical single-
axle truck system has one Ackerman arm. Technician B says that the Ackerman arm
controls turning radius. Who is correct?
A only
B only
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Answer A is incorrect. There are two Ackerman arms in the steering system.
Answer B is correct. Only Technician B is correct. Ackerman arms control the turning radius and
allow for each front wheel to rotate on different arcs while turning.
Answer C is incorrect. Only Technician B is correct.
Answer D is incorrect. Technician B is correct.
,5. A driver complains that after hitting a bump his vehicle suddenly veers to the right or
left. Which of these is the LEAST LIKELY cause?
A. A loose idler arm
B. A damaged relay rod
C. A worn tie rod end
D. A wheel out of balance
Answer A is incorrect. A loose idler arm will cause fluctuation in the steering when striking a
bump.
Answer B is incorrect. A damaged relay rod can cause veering when striking a bump because of
looseness in the ball joint end of the relay rod.
Answer C is incorrect. A worn tie rod end can cause veering when striking a bump because of
looseness in the ball joint end of the tie rod.
Answer D is correct. Wheel balance will not cause veering, only a shaking in the steering wheel.
6. The alignment angle that is LEAST LIKBLY to cause the greatest tire wear is.
A. Castor.
B. Turning radius.
C. Toe-in.
D. Camber.
Answer A is correct. Castor is a non tire wearing angle. Excessive Castor will be present with
steerability complaints and wheel shimmy at low speeds.
Answer B is incorrect. Turning radius usually does not cause tire wear unless the Ackerman arms
are damaged or the wrong Ackerman arm is installed.
Answer C is incorrect. Toe in causes the greatest tire wear. Improper toe adjustment causes rapid
, tire wear, which may result in tire failure, collision damage, and personal injury. Excessive toe
Out causes wear on the inside of the tire tread ribs and a sharp feathered edge on the outside of
the tread ribs. If excessive toe-in is present, the tire tread wear is reverses
Answer D is incorrect. Camber can cause tire wear but not as great a tire wearing angle as toein
Technician A states that in order for a steerable suspension to steer or track correctly, it is
necessary for the front wheels to be in a toe-out condition. Technician B says that the toe
setting should be between 1/16 inch and 1/8 inch. Who is correct?
A only
B only
Both A and B
Neither A nor B
Answer A is incorrect. The front wheels need to be in a toe-in condition.
Answer B is correct. Only Technician B is correct. The toe setting should be between 1/16 inch
and 1/8 inch.
Answer C is incorrect. Only Technician B is correct.
Answer D is incorrect. Technician B is correct.
Alignment procedures are being discussed. Technician A says that installing the caster
shim between the axle and spring with the thick part to the rear will make the caster angle
positive Technician B says installing the caster shim between the axle and spring with the
low side at the front will make the caster angle more negative. Who is correct?
A only
B only
