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. Excessive 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 causes 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; the steering will pull to the side with the most positive camber.

52. The steering on a vehicle with a rack and pinion power steering system binds while making left-hand turns. 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. Loose tie rods result in steering wander and feathered tire wear. They make a clunking or popping noise while turning.

Answer C is wrong. A binding steering universal coupling or intermediate shaft will bind in more than one spot each time the faulty universal joint completes a revolution.

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 turning 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. Which of the following is LEAST likely to cause this noise?

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

53.

Answer A is wrong. Rear control arms fastened to the body by a large rubber bushing and extended 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 toe angle changes and wander.

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

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

54. The customer states that the TPMS warning light on the instrument panel remains on after startup and that after driving the vehicle for several miles, the 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 synchronizes the sensor to the controller. It senses and registers essential information like the sensor's ID.

Answer D is correct. Temperature affects air pressure. As the tire heats from driving, the air pressure inside the tire 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 panel/sticker 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. Overinflating wears the center of a tire's tread.

Answer C is wrong. Too much camber wears the tire's inner or outer tread.

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