ASE Practice Test (A3: Manual Drive Train & Axles)
What is the MOST LIKELY cause of a broken center adapter plate, rear extension housing mating surface, or transmission case?
Correct answer: Oil leak
You would notice an oil leak with a damaged transmission case. It’s also a possible symptom of a damaged rear extension housing mating surface or center adapter plate. The other things wouldn’t occur as a result of these damaged parts.
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:
Correct answer: worn driveshaft slip joint splines.
Slip joint spline wear is uncommon and unlikely to cause noticeable vibration.
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?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technicians are correct.
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?
Correct answer: Y only
Technician Y is correct. A broken tooth on the counter (cluster) gear could be the cause of the clunking or knocking noise.
Under a load, the transaxle jumps out of gear. Which of the following is the MOST LIKELY cause?
Correct answer: Maladjusted, loose or worn shift linkage
If the shift linkage is loose, maladjusted or worn, you might notice the transaxle jump out of gear. Broken or worn synchronizers and having a clutch that needs adjustment will lead to hard shifting. If the cover springs are weak, that would lead to noise while in reverse.
During the removal and replacement of a manual transmission:
Correct answer: the clutch disc must be aligned with an aligning tool before transmission installation.
If the clutch disc is not aligned, the transmission input shaft can be damaged and/or the transmission will not be properly aligned.
All of these components can be removed from a transmission/transaxle before removing it from the vehicle, EXCEPT:
Correct answer: Front bearing retainer (quill)
The front bearing retainer component cannot be removed from a transmission/transaxle before removing it from the vehicle.
A manual transaxle makes a clunking noise on acceleration and on deceleration. Technician X says that a loose differential case pinion shaft could be the cause. Technician Y says that worn CV joints could be the cause. Who is right?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technicians are coorect. A loose differential case pinion shaft could be the cause and also worn CV joints.
Technicians are having a conversation about the snap rings used in a manual transaxle. Technician X states that snap rings are used on some main shafts as a selective fit. Technician Y thinks that snap rings contain a correct side that always needs to face up so the pliers can grab hold. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Both technicians
Both of these technicians are correct. The snap rings do have a selective fit. They also should be appropriately placed so that the pliers can grab hold of them for replacement.
Technician X says u-joints must be in phase to prevent vibration. Technician Y says when re-assembling a drive shaft the u-joints do not have to be in alignment for proper operation provided they are greased with the proper lubricant. Who is right?
Correct answer: X only
Technician X is correct because u-joints must be in phase to avoid vibration because they will not cancel each other out. Technician Y is wrong because they must be in alignment or a vibration will result.
A car is brought in with concerns about difficult shifting, particularly in first gear. Technician X says the first speed blocking ring is the MOST likely cause. Technician Y says the clutch could be out of adjustment. Who is right?
Correct answer: Y only
Technician Y is correct because the clutch being out of adjustment will cause shifting problems particularly in the lower range gears. Technician X is wrong because a defective blocking ring generally does not cause shifting problems into first gear.
While talking about faulty CV joints, Technician X states that faulty inboard and outboard axle joints on a FWD vehicle might make noise while traveling straight. Technician Y feels that the outboard CV joint noise occurs more frequently while cornering. Who is correct?
Correct answer: Both technicians
Both technicians are correct. The faulty inboard trunnion leads to a thunking noise while traveling in a straight line during acceleration and deceleration. In addition, a faulty outboard CV joint leads to a loud clacking sound while cornering. It’s also possible to hear a winding or clicking sound while moving forward.
Technician X says a vibration at high speed can be caused by an incorrect rear "U" joint operating angle. Technician Y says a squeaking noise in reverse is caused by a worn cross shaft bearing surface. Who is right?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technicians are right.
A four-wheel drive vehicle vibrates while the front axle is engaged. Technician X says that a failed front axle shaft CV joint could be the cause. Technician Y says that different front and rear tire diameters could be the cause. Who is right?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technician are right. A failed front axle shaft CV joint and a different front and rear tire diameters could be the cause of the problem.
The ring gear to pinion backlash is to too low (less than specifications). Which of the following places does the ring gear tooth pattern connect to as a result of this?
Correct answer: Toe contact with both convex and concave sides
If the pinion contains the right depth with too light clearance between the ring gear and pinion, there will be incorrect contact between the two. The ring gear tooth pattern shows toe contact on both the convex and concave sides. There would be no other type of ring gear to pinion contact.
Technician X says the drive shafts on a FWD (front wheel drive) vehicle are usually removed with a pry bar or special puller. Technician Y says the axle nuts on a FWD vehicle are NOT reusable. Who is right?
Correct answer: Both X and Y
Both technicians are correct.
In the illustration, which of these is the technician measuring?
Correct answer: Side gear clearance
The correct answer is side gear clearance.
The shim-type differential's case bearing preload is accurate, but the backlash appears to be excessive. To adjust this, you could:
Correct answer: Remove shims from the right side and add shims to the left
You want to remove shims from the right and then add the equal amount to the left side. This moves the ring gear inward. It also decreases the backlash without altering preload.
A growling sound is heard from the rear of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle during cornering only. Technician X says incorrect drive pinion bearing preload could be the cause. Technician Y says defective rear axle bearings may be the cause. Who is right?
Correct answer: Y only
Technician Y is correct because rear wheel bearing noise is heard while cornering. Technician X is wrong because a preload problem would be heard going straight not cornering.
