Automotive Technology/Suspension and Steering
This page is written for those taking the ASE A4 test
- Always mark the placement of any part before removal
Steering
[edit | edit source]Always disable the Air Bag system before any change to the steering column.
Steering Columns should be locked into place to preserve timing and prevent overextending the clock-spring.
Replace Bushings when they no longer hold the part in position. Replace Bearings when they have any visible play, or have a turning torque outside of specification.
Adjustments can affect front wheel toe
Diagnosis
[edit | edit source]Bump steer can be caused by
- Loose idler arm
- Loose rack mountings
- Loose or damaged mounting
Steering wheel free play can be caused by
- Worn couplings
- worn u joint
- Loose mounting
Steering problems are sometimes subframe alignment problems
Manual Steering Gears
[edit | edit source]Also known as worm gears
Noises, binding, looseness, hard steering point to bearing and lubrication problems.
Rack and Pinion Steering Gear
[edit | edit source]Other parts
[edit | edit source]Air bag Steering wheel Clock spring
Worm gear Idler arm Rack and pinion
Tie rods
Power Steering Units
[edit | edit source]Power steering uses hydraulic pressure to apply force to the worm gear or rack
Diagnosis
[edit | edit source]Weeping, or a slight fluid leak requires repair or replacement
- inspect power steering fluid
- Remove and replace power steering pump belt, tensioner, pulley
- diagnose power steering pump problems
- Remove and replace power steering pump
- power steering pressure test
- Remove and replace power steering hydraulics
- Steering gear worm bearing preload and sector lash
- Remove and replace steering gear seals and gaskets
![](http://178.128.105.246/cars-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/RecirculatingBall.png/220px-RecirculatingBall.png)
- Remove and replace rack and pinion unit
- Remove and replace rack and pinion steering gear bellows/boots.
- flush, fill, bleed power steering hydraulics
- Diagnose, Remove and replace variable-assist steering systems
- Rack and Pinion Steering
- can provide assistance by applying pressure to one side
Steering Linkage
[edit | edit source]- Inspect and adjust steering linkage geometry
![](http://178.128.105.246/cars-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Ackermann.svg/220px-Ackermann.svg.png)
Pitman arm
[edit | edit source]Pitman arm is only bent in collisions, and wears on other parts. These are pressed on, and are difficult to separate from the splines.
Center link
[edit | edit source]If bent, will affect front wheel toe
Idler arm
[edit | edit source]- Remove and Replace tie rods
- Remove and Replace steering linkage damper
Remove and Replace
Suspension
[edit | edit source]![](http://178.128.105.246/cars-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Suspension.jpg/220px-Suspension.jpg)
Front Suspension
[edit | edit source]Rear Suspension
[edit | edit source]Alignment
[edit | edit source]Frame
[edit | edit source]Springs
[edit | edit source]You should understand spring frequency, even if you never measure the frequency of the spring. Most spring are made of a chrome-vanadium alloy. Very tough stuff.
- Constant-velocity joint
- Usable in torque transfer
Suspension
[edit | edit source]ASE Task List
[edit | edit source]Glossary
[edit | edit source]- Aspect ratio
- Bead
- The lip of the tire that seals the rim flange
- Belt
- Material under the tread
- Center section AKA Spider
- Center of a steel wheel
- Conicity
- DOT tire code
- E-metric tire
- High flotation tire
- Inner liner
- Load index
- Lug nuts
- Major splice
- Offset
- Ply steer
- Rim width
- Run-flat
- Sidewall
- Speed rating
- TPC
- Unsprung Weight
- Weight below the spring in a vehicle
- Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQG)
- Tires sold in the USA are rated in Tread wear, Traction, and Temperature Resistance as per NHTSA.
- Wear bars
- raised features located at the bottom of the tread grooves that indicate the tire has reached its wear limit