ASE Practice Test (A3: Manual Drive Train & Axles)

Question 1

What is the MOST LIKELY cause of a broken center adapter plate, rear extension housing mating surface, or transmission case?

Accepted Answer

Oil leak

Answer

A severe oil leak can lead to insufficient lubrication within the transmission, causing internal components to overheat, seize, or break. This internal component failure can then place excessive stress on the transmission case, center adapter plate, or rear extension housing, ultimately leading to their breakage. Thus, an unaddressed oil leak can be a contributing cause to such structural failures.

Question 2

On a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle, all of the following problems may cause a vibration that is more obvious while changing throttle position EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

worn driveshaft slip joint splines.

Answer

Worn U-joints, worn front-drive axle joints, and incorrect driveshaft angles all create vibrations that are typically exacerbated or change with throttle position due to varying torque loads. Worn driveshaft slip joint splines, however, usually cause a distinct 'clunk' or 'thump' during acceleration or deceleration as the driveshaft extends or compresses, rather than a continuous vibration that changes with throttle input.

Question 3

The manual transmission fluid is being checked during a routine maintenance. Technician X says gold-colored particles in the fluid can be from worn blocking rings. Technician Y says aluminum colored shavings can be from the gear wear. Who is right?

Accepted Answer

Both X and Y

Answer

Technician X is correct because blocking rings (synchronizer rings) in manual transmissions are commonly made of brass or bronze, which are gold-colored, so their wear would introduce gold particles. Technician Y is also correct, as many transmission components, including some gears or synchronizer hubs, are made of aluminum, and their wear would produce aluminum-colored shavings in the fluid. Both indicate internal component wear.

Question 4

A four-speed, fully synchronized transmission has a clunking or knocking noise in first and reverse only. Technician X says that a broken tooth on the clutch (input) gear could be the cause. Technician Y says that a broken tooth on the counter (cluster) gear could be the cause. Who is right?

Accepted Answer

Y only

Answer

Technician Y is correct because the counter (cluster) gear is directly involved in transmitting power for both first gear and reverse. A broken tooth on this gear would specifically cause a clunking or knocking noise when these gears are engaged. A broken tooth on the clutch (input) gear, however, would typically affect all forward gears, not just first and reverse.

Question 5

Under a load, the transaxle jumps out of gear. Which of the following is the MOST LIKELY cause?

Accepted Answer

Maladjusted, loose or worn shift linkage

Answer

When a transaxle jumps out of gear under load, it indicates that the gear is not being held securely. The most common and often simplest cause is an issue with the external shift linkage. Maladjusted, loose, or worn shift linkage components can prevent the gear from fully engaging or allow it to disengage under the stress of engine torque, causing it to jump out of gear.