Frame and Suspension Service

Question 1

1. One possible cause for frame sidesway is:
   a) overloading.
   b) operation on rough terrain.
   c) an accident, collision or rollover.
   d) uneven load distribution.

Answer 1

c) an accident, collision or rollover.

Question 2

2. The difference between frame sag and bow is _

Answer 2

A sagged frame is bent downward while a bowed frame is bent upward.

Question 3

3. Corrosion of frame material can be a result of:
   a) climatic conditions (rain, snow, ambient temperature).
   b) exposure to certain cargo materials.
   c) contact between two dissimilar metals such as aluminum and steel.
   d) all of the above.

Answer 3

d) all of the above.

Question 4

4. Four (4) factors that accelerate frame stress and therefore the possibility of frame
cracking are:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Answer 4

a) overloading,
b) unevenly distributed load,
c) operating on rough terrain and
d) loose or worn crossmember attaching bolts.

Question 5

5. Improper frame alignment can be a source of tracking and alignment problems.
   a) true
   b) false

Answer 5

a) true

Question 6

6. When marking a frame rail, you should use:
   a) chalk or soapstone.
   b) a centre punch.
   c) a scriber.
   d) none of the above are correct.

Answer 6

a) chalk or soapstone.

Question 7

7. Two (2) reasons for using hardened washers on bolted frame connections are:
   a)
   b)

Answer 7

a) to prevent the head of the bolt and nut from embedding into the attached part or
frame rail and
b) to help distribute the load preventing localized overstressing of frame parts.

Question 8

8. One advantage of using Huck® fasteners for attaching frame components is they:
   a) allow some flexing of frame components.
   b) do not allow flexing of frame components.
   c) can be reused many times.
   d) do not require any special tools for installation or removal.

Answer 8

b) do not allow flexing of frame components.

Question 9

9. Heat-treated frame rails must be heated in order to straighten them.
   a) true
   b) false

Answer 9

b) false

Question 10

10. A vehicle equipped with a leaf spring suspension is leaning to one side. A possible
cause of this fault is:
a) leaking shock absorber.
b) axle misalignment.
c) leaking air springs.
d) broken leaf springs.

Answer 10

d) broken leaf springs.

Question 11

11. List three (3) possible causes for an air spring suspension to bottom.
    a)
    b)
    c)

Answer 11

. Any three (3) of the following are correct.

a) low system air pressure.
b) excessive ride system air leakage.
c) air spring cut or punctured.
d) maladjusted ride height control valve.
e) faulty ride height control or dump valve.

Question 12

12. State the procedure for checking shock absorber operation.

Answer 12

. Remove the lower shock mount and then pull the shock piston rod out and push it in
4 or 5 times. You should feel resistance to shock absorber movement in both
directions but greater resistance when the piston rod is pulled out.

Question 13

13. It is acceptable to replace a single leaf in a leaf spring assembly if an individual leaf
    is damaged.
    a) true
    b) false

Answer 13

b) false

Question 14

14. A compound like Alumilastic® is used on the surfaces of aluminum suspension
    components that contact other metals because it:
    a) provides good lubrication.
    b) acts as an adhesive.
    c) prevents corrosion reactions.
    d) is a water sealant.

Answer 14

c) prevents corrosion reactions.

Question 15

15. The thrust from a properly aligned drive axle will act

Answer 15

15. along the frame centreline.

Question 16

16. Equalizer beam end bushing clearance can be checked by

Answer 16

. jacking the beam end up with a hydraulic jack and checking beam end movement.

Question 17

17. The best way to remove equalizer beam end and centre bushings is to:
    a) use appropriate presses and/or pullers.
    b) cut them out with a cutting torch.
    c) drive them out with a drift and hammer.
    d) cut them out with an air hammer chisel.

Answer 17

. a) use appropriate presses and pullers.

Question 18

18. The difference between bar pin and other types of equalizer beam end bushings is
    that:
    a) they are rubber bushings.
    b) they provide a point of axle aligmnent adjustment.
    c) they use through bolts to retain them in the beam end bore.
    d) they are bronze bushings.

Answer 18

. b) they provide a point of axle alignment adjustment.

Question 19

19. Rubber load cushions have a durometer number that indicates

Answer 19

the hardness of the rubber cushion which determines its load capacity.

Question 20

20. Drivers must drain air reservoirs at least daily in order to ensure that the:
    a) air spring suspension will be charged with air.
    b) air spring suspension will maintain the correct ride height.
    c) pressure in the air spring suspension will be correct.
    d) moisture and contamination in the reservoirs will be removed.

Answer 20

. d) moisture and contamination in the reservoirs will be removed.

Question 21

21. The driver will have difficulty connecting a tractor to a trailer if the ride height on the
    air spring suspension is adjusted too high.
    a) true
    b) false

Answer 21

a) true

Question 22

22. When the load is removed from a vehicle equipped with an air spring suspension, the
    ride height control valve will:
    a) automatically provide a higher ride height.
    b) automatically provide a lower ride height.
    c) exhaust air from the air springs until the correct ride height is reached.
    d) supply air to the air springs until the correct ride height is reached.

Answer 22

c) exhaust air from the air springs until the correct ride height is reached.

Question 23

23. Adjusting the ride height on an air spring suspension that is equipped with an
    adjustable valve mounting is accomplished by making a linkage adjustment.
    a) true
    b) false

Answer 23

b) false