ASE Suspension and Steering Diagnostics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vehicle pulls to the right only during braking. Which is the MOST likely cause?
- Excessive positive camber on the right
- A worn lower control arm bushing on the left (Correct answer)
- Mismatched tire pressures
- Incorrect toe-out on turns
Correct answer: A worn lower control arm bushing on the left
A worn control arm bushing lets the wheel shift under braking load, changing alignment and causing a brake-only pull.
Question 2: When checking a MacPherson strut vehicle for ball joint wear, where should the jack be placed?
- Under the lower control arm, near the ball joint
- Under the frame so the wheel hangs freely (Correct answer)
- Under the strut tower
- Under the tie rod end
Correct answer: Under the frame so the wheel hangs freely
On MacPherson strut designs the lower ball joint is a follower, so the vehicle is supported by the frame to unload it before checking play.
Question 3: Technician A says a bent steering arm can cause toe to change incorrectly as the wheels turn (toe-out on turns error). Technician B says a bent steering arm affects caster. Who is correct?
- Technician A only (Correct answer)
- Technician B only
- Both A and B
- Neither A nor B
Correct answer: Technician A only
A bent steering arm changes the Ackermann geometry, so toe-out on turns is affected, but caster is not.
Question 4: A customer complains of a clunk when driving over bumps at low speed. Which component is the MOST likely cause?
- Worn sway bar end links (Correct answer)
- An out-of-balance tire
- Incorrect thrust angle
- Low power steering fluid
Correct answer: Worn sway bar end links
Loose sway bar links commonly clunk over small bumps as the suspension moves.
Question 5: What is the MOST likely result of a weak or sagging rear coil spring?
- Reduced front caster and changed headlight aim (Correct answer)
- Increased front toe-in only
- Cupped front tires only
- Hard steering at low speeds
Correct answer: Reduced front caster and changed headlight aim
A sagging rear raises the front relative to the rear, lowering effective caster and changing headlight aim.
Question 6: During a power steering pressure test, the gauge reads below specification with the shutoff valve briefly closed. What does this indicate?
- A faulty steering gear
- A defective pump or flow control/relief valve (Correct answer)
- A restricted return line
- Air in the fluid only
Correct answer: A defective pump or flow control/relief valve
Low pressure with the valve closed isolates the pump, so the pump or its relief valve is at fault.
Question 7: A vehicle with electronic power steering (EPS) has heavy steering and a warning lamp on. What should the technician check FIRST?
- Power steering fluid level
- Scan for DTCs and check battery voltage (Correct answer)
- Steering gear preload
- Tie rod end condition
Correct answer: Scan for DTCs and check battery voltage
EPS relies on electrical inputs and stores codes, and low system voltage often reduces assist.
ASE Suspension and Steering Diagnostics 2
A vehicle pulls to the right only during braking.
Which is the MOST likely cause?