ASE A4 Steering and Suspension Exam Test
Questions And Answers
A vehicle has worn jounce bumpers. Which of the following could be the cause?
A. Leaking shocks
B. Leaking power steering pump
C. Leaking power steering gear
D. Worn strut bearings - ANSWER Leaking shocks. Leaking shocks can allow the
vehicle to bottom out on rough road surfaces.
A worn idler arm would affect which alignment angle?
A. Camber
B. Caster C. Toe
D. SAI - ANSWER Toe. Toe is directly affected by the idler arm. A worn idler arm
would allow toe to change while traveling down the road.
A shifted front cradle could affect any of these EXCEPT:
A. Front camber.
B. Front caster.
C. Thrust line.
D. Thrust angle. - ANSWER Thrust line. The thrust line is the direction the rear wheels
are pointing; this would not be affected by a shifted front cradle.
There is a pull on acceleration and deceleration. Technician A says spring eye bushings
could be the cause. Technician B says worn strut rod bushings could be the cause.
Who is right? - ANSWER Both Technicians are correct. Spring eye bushings and worn
strut rod bushings can both allow the control arm to move when the vehicle is driven.
A composite leaf spring is being installed in a vehicle. Which of the following is correct?
A. The spring can be installed using a pry bar.
B. The spring can be compressed with vise grips.
C. The spring should be painted after installation.
D. The spring should not be scratched during installation. - ANSWER The spring
,should not be scratched during installation. The spring needs to be handled with care. If
the spring is dented or scratched, it will be weakened and break.
Which of the following alignment specification would most likely need a steering
damper.
A. 6 degrees caster.
B. 2 degrees camber
C. 2 degrees caster
D. 6 degres camber - ANSWER 6 degrees caster. Vehicles with high caster settings
are most likely to use a steering damper to help control front-wheel shimmy.
A customer complains of a popping noise while turning the steering wheel. Which of the
following is the most likely cause?
A. Rear shock mounts
B. Rear toe adjusters
C. Front shock mounts
D. Front tie rods - ANSWER Front tie rods. Worn front tie roads can make a popping
noise when the steering wheel is rocked back and forth.
A power steering pump hose is leaking on a vehicle. Which of the following is the most
likely cause?
A. Separated motor mounts
B. Loose drive belt
C. Air in the fluid
D. Broken pump mounts - ANSWER Separated motor mounts. It is possible that
separated motor mounts could cause the hoses to be stretched and leak.
Which angle has the greatest affect on steering wheel return?
A. Camber
B. SAI
C. Toe
D. Caster - ANSWER Caster. Caster greatly affects steering wheel return.
There is a vibration which can be felt in the steering wheel at speeds above 30 mph.
Which of the following could be the cause?
A. Front wheels out of balance
B. Rear wheels out of balance
C. Caster
D. Camber - ANSWER Front wheels out of balance. A vibration felt in the steering
wheel is most likely caused by the front wheels being out of balance.
,The hole in the steering knuckle into which the ball joint stud goes is out of round.
Which of the following is the best method of repair.
A. Measure the wear and check against manufacturer's specifications.
B. Replace the steering knuckle
C. Ream the hole.
D. Shim the hole. - ANSWER Replace the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle must
be replaced.
The left front tire on a vehicle shows outside tread wear. Which of the following is
the most likely cause? A. Worn shock absorbers
B. Tires overinflated
C. Camber adjustment incorrect
D. Caster adjustment incorrect - ANSWER Camber adjustment incorrect. Excessive
positive camber will cause cupping across the tire tread.
Which of the following would cause toe-out-on-turns to be out of specification?
A. Bent tie rods
B. Bent steering arm
C. Bent lower control arm
D. Bent upper control arm - ANSWER Bent steering arm. A bent steering arm would
change toe-out-on-turns.
A vehicle is dog-trcking. Which alignment angle is most likely the cause?
A. Rear toe
B. Front toe
C. Rear camber
D. Front camber - ANSWER Rear toe. Rear toe sets the thrust line, which will affect
dog-tracking.
A vehicle is equipped with an air ride suspension. The vehicle will not lower when
necessary. Which of the following could cause this problem?
A. Compressor relay
B. Compressor
C. Sensor
D. Fuse - ANSWER Sensor. The sensor is responsible for sending a signal that the
rear is too high.
Which of the following is the correct way to adjust tapered roller bearings?
A. Torque and the back off OEM specification
, B. Torque to OEM specification
C. Adjust to a minimum of .150 " (3.80mm) end-play.
D. Torque to 50 ft lbs. - ANSWER Torque and then back off OEM specification. It is
typical to torque the bearing while rotating the wheel and then back off the nut a
certain amount.
A vehicle has a crooked steering wheel when driving down the road. Technician A says
this could be caused by failure to install the steering wheel correctly. Technician B says
this could be caused by rear toe being out of adjustment. Who is correct? - ANSWER
Both Technicians are correct. Rear toe being out of proper adjustment will cause a
thrust angle to exist which will cause crooked steering wheel. Also, a steering wheel
which was installed one spline off could cause a crooked steering wheel.
When does a positive camber angle exist?
A. When the top of the tire leans outward
B. When the top of the tire leans inward
C. When the upper ball joint is rearward of the lower ball joint as viewed from the side
D. When the rear axle is crooked - ANSWER When the top of the tire leans outward.
The top of the tire leans out with positive camber.
Why is the camber angle important?
A. Because it directly affects ride stiffness
B. Because it is a tire wearing angle and it affects steering control
C. Because it can cause vibration
D. Because it affects the operation of the brakes - ANSWER Because it is a tire
wearing angle and it affects steering control. Camber is a tire wear angle and can
cause a pull in the steering.
The caster angle on the left front wheel has been set at 1 degree negative. The right
front caster angle has been set at 1 degree positive. What would be the most likely
result?
A. The car would pull to the right
B. The car would pull to the left
C. The car would travel straight ahead
D. The left tire would show second rib wear - ANSWER The car would pull to the left. A
car will usually pull to the most negative caster setting.
Technician A says that camber and SAI make up the included angle. Technician B says
that the purpose of the turning angle is to reduce tire scuffing during cornering. Who is
right? - ANSWER Both A and B. Both Technicians are correct. Included angle is found
Questions And Answers
A vehicle has worn jounce bumpers. Which of the following could be the cause?
A. Leaking shocks
B. Leaking power steering pump
C. Leaking power steering gear
D. Worn strut bearings - ANSWER Leaking shocks. Leaking shocks can allow the
vehicle to bottom out on rough road surfaces.
A worn idler arm would affect which alignment angle?
A. Camber
B. Caster C. Toe
D. SAI - ANSWER Toe. Toe is directly affected by the idler arm. A worn idler arm
would allow toe to change while traveling down the road.
A shifted front cradle could affect any of these EXCEPT:
A. Front camber.
B. Front caster.
C. Thrust line.
D. Thrust angle. - ANSWER Thrust line. The thrust line is the direction the rear wheels
are pointing; this would not be affected by a shifted front cradle.
There is a pull on acceleration and deceleration. Technician A says spring eye bushings
could be the cause. Technician B says worn strut rod bushings could be the cause.
Who is right? - ANSWER Both Technicians are correct. Spring eye bushings and worn
strut rod bushings can both allow the control arm to move when the vehicle is driven.
A composite leaf spring is being installed in a vehicle. Which of the following is correct?
A. The spring can be installed using a pry bar.
B. The spring can be compressed with vise grips.
C. The spring should be painted after installation.
D. The spring should not be scratched during installation. - ANSWER The spring
,should not be scratched during installation. The spring needs to be handled with care. If
the spring is dented or scratched, it will be weakened and break.
Which of the following alignment specification would most likely need a steering
damper.
A. 6 degrees caster.
B. 2 degrees camber
C. 2 degrees caster
D. 6 degres camber - ANSWER 6 degrees caster. Vehicles with high caster settings
are most likely to use a steering damper to help control front-wheel shimmy.
A customer complains of a popping noise while turning the steering wheel. Which of the
following is the most likely cause?
A. Rear shock mounts
B. Rear toe adjusters
C. Front shock mounts
D. Front tie rods - ANSWER Front tie rods. Worn front tie roads can make a popping
noise when the steering wheel is rocked back and forth.
A power steering pump hose is leaking on a vehicle. Which of the following is the most
likely cause?
A. Separated motor mounts
B. Loose drive belt
C. Air in the fluid
D. Broken pump mounts - ANSWER Separated motor mounts. It is possible that
separated motor mounts could cause the hoses to be stretched and leak.
Which angle has the greatest affect on steering wheel return?
A. Camber
B. SAI
C. Toe
D. Caster - ANSWER Caster. Caster greatly affects steering wheel return.
There is a vibration which can be felt in the steering wheel at speeds above 30 mph.
Which of the following could be the cause?
A. Front wheels out of balance
B. Rear wheels out of balance
C. Caster
D. Camber - ANSWER Front wheels out of balance. A vibration felt in the steering
wheel is most likely caused by the front wheels being out of balance.
,The hole in the steering knuckle into which the ball joint stud goes is out of round.
Which of the following is the best method of repair.
A. Measure the wear and check against manufacturer's specifications.
B. Replace the steering knuckle
C. Ream the hole.
D. Shim the hole. - ANSWER Replace the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle must
be replaced.
The left front tire on a vehicle shows outside tread wear. Which of the following is
the most likely cause? A. Worn shock absorbers
B. Tires overinflated
C. Camber adjustment incorrect
D. Caster adjustment incorrect - ANSWER Camber adjustment incorrect. Excessive
positive camber will cause cupping across the tire tread.
Which of the following would cause toe-out-on-turns to be out of specification?
A. Bent tie rods
B. Bent steering arm
C. Bent lower control arm
D. Bent upper control arm - ANSWER Bent steering arm. A bent steering arm would
change toe-out-on-turns.
A vehicle is dog-trcking. Which alignment angle is most likely the cause?
A. Rear toe
B. Front toe
C. Rear camber
D. Front camber - ANSWER Rear toe. Rear toe sets the thrust line, which will affect
dog-tracking.
A vehicle is equipped with an air ride suspension. The vehicle will not lower when
necessary. Which of the following could cause this problem?
A. Compressor relay
B. Compressor
C. Sensor
D. Fuse - ANSWER Sensor. The sensor is responsible for sending a signal that the
rear is too high.
Which of the following is the correct way to adjust tapered roller bearings?
A. Torque and the back off OEM specification
, B. Torque to OEM specification
C. Adjust to a minimum of .150 " (3.80mm) end-play.
D. Torque to 50 ft lbs. - ANSWER Torque and then back off OEM specification. It is
typical to torque the bearing while rotating the wheel and then back off the nut a
certain amount.
A vehicle has a crooked steering wheel when driving down the road. Technician A says
this could be caused by failure to install the steering wheel correctly. Technician B says
this could be caused by rear toe being out of adjustment. Who is correct? - ANSWER
Both Technicians are correct. Rear toe being out of proper adjustment will cause a
thrust angle to exist which will cause crooked steering wheel. Also, a steering wheel
which was installed one spline off could cause a crooked steering wheel.
When does a positive camber angle exist?
A. When the top of the tire leans outward
B. When the top of the tire leans inward
C. When the upper ball joint is rearward of the lower ball joint as viewed from the side
D. When the rear axle is crooked - ANSWER When the top of the tire leans outward.
The top of the tire leans out with positive camber.
Why is the camber angle important?
A. Because it directly affects ride stiffness
B. Because it is a tire wearing angle and it affects steering control
C. Because it can cause vibration
D. Because it affects the operation of the brakes - ANSWER Because it is a tire
wearing angle and it affects steering control. Camber is a tire wear angle and can
cause a pull in the steering.
The caster angle on the left front wheel has been set at 1 degree negative. The right
front caster angle has been set at 1 degree positive. What would be the most likely
result?
A. The car would pull to the right
B. The car would pull to the left
C. The car would travel straight ahead
D. The left tire would show second rib wear - ANSWER The car would pull to the left. A
car will usually pull to the most negative caster setting.
Technician A says that camber and SAI make up the included angle. Technician B says
that the purpose of the turning angle is to reduce tire scuffing during cornering. Who is
right? - ANSWER Both A and B. Both Technicians are correct. Included angle is found
