Suspension and Steering Flashcards

A wheel-and-tire assembly that bounces up and down (wheel tramp) at highway speed most likely has:

Answer: Static imbalance

Static imbalance is a heavy spot on the tire's centerline that causes vertical hop.

A vehicle pulls right after new tires are installed, and the alignment is within specs. Swapping the front tires side to side makes it pull left. What is the cause?

Answer: Tire conicity

If the pull reverses when the tires are swapped, the tire itself (conicity or ply steer) is causing it.

Setback exists when:

Answer: One front wheel is positioned behind the other

Setback is one front wheel sitting rearward of the other, often from collision damage or a shifted cradle.

During a bounce test, a corner of the vehicle keeps oscillating three or more times after release. This usually means:

Answer: The shock absorber or strut is worn

A good damper stops body movement within about one to one and a half cycles, so extra oscillation means it has lost damping.

After replacing a MacPherson strut assembly, the technician should:

Answer: Check and adjust the wheel alignment

Removing a strut can change camber and toe, so the alignment must be checked afterward.

When adjusting a recirculating-ball steering gear, which adjustment is made first?

Answer: Worm bearing preload

Worm bearing preload must be set first, with the pitman arm disconnected, before setting sector lash.

Power steering fluid looks foamy and the pump whines. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: Air in the system

Foaming means air in the fluid, often from a suction-side leak or poor bleeding, and it causes pump noise.