ASE Practice Test (A4: Suspension & Steering)

Question 1

Which of the following indicates excessive play between the rack piston and sector on an integral power steering gear?

Accepted Answer

Lost motion within steering gear

Answer

Excessive play between the rack piston and sector in an integral power steering gear directly results in 'lost motion' within the steering gear. This means the steering wheel can be turned a certain amount before the road wheels begin to respond, leading to a vague, loose, or unresponsive steering feel for the driver.

Question 2

A technician discovers that the toe-out-on-turns (turning radius) is incorrect during a wheel alignment. The cause could be a bent:

Accepted Answer

Steering arm

Answer

Toe-out-on-turns, or Ackermann angle, is a critical alignment specification determined by the geometry of the steering arms. If a steering arm is bent, it will alter the relationship between the inner and outer wheel angles during a turn, causing an incorrect toe-out-on-turns condition. The other components listed primarily affect other alignment angles or steering feel, not this specific turning characteristic.

Question 3

High steering effort is noticed on a sport utility vehicle. Technician X believes it could be a result of a sheared shift tube. Technician Y believes that it’s a misaligned steering column assembly. Who is correct?

Accepted Answer

Technician Y

Answer

Technician Y is correct. A misaligned steering column assembly can cause binding or increased friction in the steering shaft and its bearings, leading to significantly higher steering effort. Technician X is incorrect; a sheared shift tube affects the transmission's shifting mechanism and would not directly cause high steering effort.

Question 4

Which operation should be performed first when removing the power steering pump?

Accepted Answer

Disconnect the power steering return hose from the remote reservoir or pump and allow the fluid to drain

Answer

The first operation when removing a power steering pump is to disconnect the power steering return hose and allow the fluid to drain. This minimizes spills and mess when the pressure and feed hoses are subsequently disconnected. Draining the system beforehand ensures a cleaner and safer removal process.

Question 5

A bent cradle could cause this difference if suspension components are mounted to the cradle.

Accepted Answer

a bent engine cradle.

Answer

A bent engine cradle (or subframe) can cause significant differences in suspension geometry because it provides mounting points for the engine, transmission, and often critical suspension components. If the cradle is bent, these mounting points will be misaligned, leading to uneven suspension component positioning and various handling or alignment issues.