ASE A2 Unit Removal, Installation and Disassembly — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician is installing an automatic transmission on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. After sliding the converter onto the input shaft and stator support, which check best confirms the converter is fully seated in the pump before the transmission is raised to the engine?
- The converter turns freely by hand in both directions with no resistance
- The converter can be pulled forward about an inch and will spring back against the pump
- The converter drive lugs or studs sit slightly behind the bell housing mounting face when checked with a straightedge (Correct answer)
- The converter pilot hub is flush with the front of the transmission case
Correct answer: The converter drive lugs or studs sit slightly behind the bell housing mounting face when checked with a straightedge
Measuring the converter lugs or studs against the bell housing face with a straightedge shows whether the hub is fully engaged with the pump drive gear. If the lugs sit proud of the specification, the converter is not seated.
The converter hub has to engage the pump drive gear and the stator support has to enter the pump. If the converter is not fully seated, bolting the transmission to the engine forces the converter forward and can break the pump or crack the case. A straightedge across the bell housing face shows how far the lugs or studs sit below it, and the service manual gives the specification. Free rotation by hand does not prove the hub is engaged in the pump, so the measurement is the reliable check.
Question 2: A technician must reprogram a transmission control module with a manufacturer calibration update using a pass-through programming tool. Which step is most important to take before starting the flash?
- Connect a battery maintainer to hold stable system voltage during programming (Correct answer)
- Disconnect the battery to reset the module memory first
- Drain the transmission fluid so the sensors read zero
- Leave the key on with the engine running so the module stays awake
Correct answer: Connect a battery maintainer to hold stable system voltage during programming
Voltage that drops during a flash can corrupt the software and leave the module unusable. A battery maintainer or power supply holds voltage steady.
A reflash rewrites the module's memory. If voltage sags or the programming session is interrupted partway through, the module can be left with incomplete software and stop communicating. Technicians connect a regulated power supply or battery maintainer and make sure the scan tool and cables are secure before starting. The ignition is normally left on with the engine off, and the battery stays connected throughout.
Question 3: While inspecting a gear-type oil pump, a technician needs to measure gear end clearance. Which method is correct?
- Measure the gear width with a caliper and subtract the pump body depth
- Rock the drive gear by hand and judge the movement
- Spin the pump on the bench and listen for noise
- Lay a straightedge across the pump body and measure the gap to the gear face with a feeler gauge (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Lay a straightedge across the pump body and measure the gap to the gear face with a feeler gauge
End clearance is the gap between the gear face and a straightedge laid on the pump body. A feeler gauge measures that gap, and the reading is compared to specification.
Pump gear end clearance, or side clearance, is the small gap above the gears when the pump body is the reference. Place a straightedge across the pump body face and slide feeler blades between the straightedge and the gear. Excessive clearance lets fluid leak past, which lowers line pressure. The technician compares the reading with the specification and replaces worn parts. Gear-to-pocket and gear-tooth clearances are checked the same way.
Question 4: Which tools are used to accurately measure the inside diameter of a transmission bushing so it can be compared to specification?
- A feeler gauge and a straightedge
- A telescoping gauge and an outside micrometer (Correct answer)
- A dial indicator and a magnetic base
- A thread pitch gauge and a caliper depth rod
Correct answer: A telescoping gauge and an outside micrometer
A telescoping gauge is set inside the bushing and then measured with a micrometer, which gives the inside diameter.
A telescoping gauge expands to touch the bore walls and is then locked. The technician measures it with an outside micrometer to read the bushing inside diameter. The shaft journal is measured with the micrometer, and the difference gives the running clearance. If that clearance is above specification, the bushing or shaft is replaced to prevent fluid leakage and pressure loss.
Question 5: When inspecting a planetary carrier assembly, a technician checks pinion gear end play by inserting a feeler gauge between each pinion and the carrier. What does a reading above specification indicate?
- The sun gear is installed backward
- The carrier is within normal wear limits for a high-mileage unit
- The pinion thrust washers or carrier are worn and the assembly should be replaced or repaired (Correct answer)
- The pinion needle bearings are too tight
Correct answer: The pinion thrust washers or carrier are worn and the assembly should be replaced or repaired
Excess pinion end play means the thrust surfaces or the carrier are worn beyond limits. The assembly needs repair or replacement.
Pinion gears ride on needle bearings or bushings and are held by thrust washers between the pinion and carrier. Measuring the gap with a feeler gauge checks the wear in the thrust surfaces. A gap above the limit can cause gear noise, worn pinion teeth, and metal debris. The carrier is replaced or serviced as the manual directs.
Question 6: A technician measures the clearance of a multiple-disc clutch pack by inserting a feeler gauge between the pressure plate and the snap ring, with the clutch pack stacked. The clearance is greater than specification. What is the usual correction?
- Install a thicker selective snap ring or pressure plate (Correct answer)
- Install a thinner selective snap ring
- Add one more steel plate and friction plate
- Shorten the return spring
Correct answer: Install a thicker selective snap ring or pressure plate
Too much clearance is taken up by a thicker selective snap ring or pressure plate. This restores the correct clutch pack clearance.
Clutch pack clearance affects how fast the clutch applies. Excess clearance lets the piston travel farther, which can cause slow, soft apply and slipping. Adjusting it with a thicker selective snap ring or pressure plate reduces the gap. If the clearance is too small, a thinner part is used so the clutch does not drag. The number of plates is set by the manufacturer and is not normally changed.
Question 7: A technician measures transmission input or output shaft end play with a dial indicator mounted on the case. If end play is outside specification and the unit uses selective parts, how is it normally corrected?
- Tighten the case bolts beyond the torque specification
- Add shims behind the torque converter
- Replace the shaft seal rings
- Change to a selective thrust washer or spacer of different thickness (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Change to a selective thrust washer or spacer of different thickness
End play is adjusted with a selective thrust washer or spacer in the correct thickness. The dial indicator measurement determines which size is needed.
End play is the total axial movement of the shaft in the case. A dial indicator reads the movement as the shaft is pushed and pulled. Too much end play can cause wear and fluid pressure loss. Too little can cause binding and heat. The technician chooses a thrust washer or spacer of the appropriate thickness from the service manual to bring end play into specification.
Question 8: A transmission is being lowered from a vehicle on a transmission jack. What should the technician do to keep the torque converter from sliding forward out of the transmission?
- Loosen the bell housing bolts one at a time
- Install a converter holding bracket or strap across the bell housing opening (Correct answer)
- Drain the fluid from the converter before removing the transmission
- Leave the filler tube in place to hold the converter
Correct answer: Install a converter holding bracket or strap across the bell housing opening
A converter holding bracket or strap keeps the converter in place while the transmission is moved. Without it, the converter can slide out and drop, spilling fluid and damaging parts.
The converter is heavy and only held by the pump hub and stator support. When the transmission is tilted or pulled back, the converter can slide out and fall, which can injure the technician and damage the converter or pump hub. A holding bracket bolted to the bell housing, or a strap or clamp, keeps it in place. It also keeps the converter seated until the transmission is mounted again.
Question 9: During valve body inspection, a technician finds that a spool valve is sluggish in its bore. What is the best test of whether the valve and bore are acceptable?
- Force the valve in with a small hammer and see if it stays
- Measure the valve with a caliper only
- The lubricated valve should fall through the bore under its own weight when the body is tilted (Correct answer)
- The valve should need light finger pressure to move
Correct answer: The lubricated valve should fall through the bore under its own weight when the body is tilted
A clean, lubricated valve should move freely and fall by its own weight. If it does not, the valve or bore is dirty, burred, or worn.
Spool valves must move without sticking so that hydraulic circuits shift at the right time. After cleaning the valve and bore and lubricating them with ATF, the technician checks that the valve falls through the bore under its own weight. A sticky valve can cause harsh or delayed shifts. Burrs can be cleaned by the method in the service manual, and worn bores may need a new valve body. Forcing a valve can damage it.
Question 10: When bolting the torque converter to the flexplate, which procedure is correct?
- Install all bolts by hand first, then tighten them evenly in a crisscross pattern to specification (Correct answer)
- Tighten each bolt fully in turn as it is installed
- Use an impact wrench and tighten in any order
- Install only half the bolts if the others are hard to reach
Correct answer: Install all bolts by hand first, then tighten them evenly in a crisscross pattern to specification
Starting all the bolts by hand and tightening evenly in a pattern prevents flexplate and converter distortion. The bolts are then torqued to specification.
The flexplate is thin and can be bent by tightening one bolt fully before the others. That can cause vibration and bearing wear. A technician rotates the engine to bring each bolt hole into the access opening, installs all bolts by hand, and tightens them evenly in a crisscross pattern to the torque specification. After this, the technician checks that the converter turns freely with the engine. All bolts must be installed to carry the load safely.
ASE A2 Unit Removal, Installation and Disassembly
A technician is installing an automatic transmission on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
After sliding the converter onto the input shaft and stator support, which check best confirms the converter is fully seated in the pump before the transmission is raised to the engine?
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