HET4 Suspension Flashcards
1st week suspension
What is a better way to label “Power Steering”?
Part-time, Power-Assist
What is the purpose of a slip joint in a steering system?
To handle the travel in the suspension
What can cause “False Brinelling” in U-Joints?
A lack of lubrication, can be caused my driving in a straight line for long periods of time.
What is the purpose of the “high spot” of a steering gear?
- Keeps steering gear in the “straight position”
2. Lets operator know when the wheels are in the straight position
What type of motion does the steering gear convert?
Rotary motion or linear motion, also it changes 90 degrees
When should steering stops be adjusted?
Whenever tire cut is changed
Where is a thrust bearing located in the front steering system?
On the lower side of the steering knuckle between the axle and knuckle
Where does the thrust bearing go on a Elliot steering system?
On the lower side of the axle, between the knuckle and axle
What does a thrust bearing have to do?
Carry the load of the vehicle
On a recirculating ball steering gear what is the purpose of the adjustment screw?
It adjusts backlash
What components connect to the Drag Link?
Upper steering arm and pitman arm
What is considered the input on a steering system?
Steering wheel
Do all on-road equipment have SRS (supplemental restraint system) in the steering wheel?
No, can be optional
What component allows steering wheels to have switches in them?
Clockspring assembly
What are the types of drives available for power steering systems?
Gear driven
Belt driven
List the components that make up a power steering system?
Specific Oil (fluid) Reservoir with or without filter Pump Pressure relief valve/Flow control One or more power steering gear assembly Connecting hoses and fittings
Road feel can also be called?
Feedback
True or False:
You can mix different types of oil together in the power steering system?
False. Use only the correct type of fluid for the power steering system. To change types you must do a complete flush
What is the downfall to the size of reservoir in the power steering system?
The fluid can become too hot
How many pieces is a drag link?
Solid, 2 piece or 3 piece
True or False:
It is acceptable to heat and weld steering parts?
False, it is never okay to weld or heat steering components
What could result if a steering wheel is turned when it is disconnected from the steering system?
You could damage the clockspring
How can you prevent damage to the clocspring during suspension service?
Immobilize the steering wheel
What must be added to the system to allow tilt and telescoping steering wheels?
Additional U-joints, Springs and Gas-Shocks
What is the general degree of movement of a sector shaft gear in both directions on a manual steering gear system?
30 degrees
Is timing of the sector shaft important?
Yes, the shaft and pitman arm should be marked
What keeps the king pin from rotating in the steering knuckle?
Draw keys
What is used as a wear surface for king pins?
Roller bearings or bushings
What is the minimum clearance between tires and other components?
1 inch or 2.5cm, decided by steering stops
True or False:
Are king pins tapered?
They can be tapered but are generally straight
What can be used to combat power steering oil temperature rising to high?
Power steering coolers
What is generally the max pressure of a power steering system?
1900-2275 PSI (13 000-15 560kPa)
What would be the customer complaint if power steering relief valve is set to LOW?
Poor assist or Hard steering
Which is more commonly used on On-Road trucks?
1.Rack and Pinion Style steering gear
or
2.Integral Power steering gear system
- integral Power Steering Gear System
Why is the viscosity of power steering fluid important?
The system must work in hot and cold temperatures, the clearances are very small in the system.
What is the lower steering arm also called?
Ackerman
What side of the vehicle is the steering gear generally mounted?
Driver’s side
What is used when the axles are over 16 000lbs gross?
Dual steering gear systems
When a vehicle has two steering axles it is referred to as?
Tandem Steering
What can be the result of poppets failing in an integral power steering gear assembly?
Power assist in one directions only or no power assist
What is the purpose of the poppet valves in the steering systems?
To reduce pressure when reaching end of travel
What is another term for full travel?
Lock to Lock
True or False
Rack and pinion steering systems have upper steering arms?
False
What does the rack in a “rack and pinion steering system” take the place of?
Tie Rod assembly
True or False?
Lower steering arms are set to a specific angle?
True
When checking slip joints, how should it be inspected?
Check for play in all directions.
What would be the operators complaint if there is too much play in a slip joint?
If play is “side to side”, operator complaint will be there is play in the steering.
What are three types of steering systems?
Integral power, rack and pinion, manual
At what position should be the steering wheel spokes be at?
4 and 8 O’clock (plus or minus 10 degrees)
Why is steering wheel position important?
To keep gauges and warning lights visible to the operator
When the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position is there tension on the clock spring?
Yes
What controls when power assist is used?
Torsion Bar
When the control valve is at its neutral position, what type of center is it in?
Open Center (back to tank)
What is on the ends of the rack piston?
Poppet valves
When the poppet opens, what should a technician see?
1/8” gap between the steering stop and the axle pad
What is the most common type of power steering pump?
Vane Pump
List the steering components in order starting from the steering column.
Steer column worm shaft and ball nut assembly sector shaft pitman arm drag link upper steering arm left steering arm (left side) tie rod end (left side) tie rod (tube) tie rod end (right side) lower steering arm (right side) right steering knuckle
True or False
Does the secondary steering gear need to be timed?
True
True or False
The secondary steering gear backlash must be adjusted?
False
What can appear to be a suspension issue but its caused by other parts?
Dragging brakes
Tires (brands, pressure,tread issues)
What should you do first as a technician before operational testing a vehicle?
Visual Inspection and talk to the operator
How long must you wait after disconnecting a battery before working on a SRS?
At least two minutes
What is the safest way to check that wheels are in the straight position?
Measure from a point of each tire to the same place on the frame.
When removing a steering wheel, what are some important steps?
- Make an alignment mark on the steering wheel and the steering column shaft
- Use a correct puller
- Be aware of wiring for horn and clock spring
What can be damaged if an operator uses the steering wheel to climb in a truck regularly?
Damage the pivot pins in a tilt steering column
Loosen mounting fasteners
Damage Bushings
eventually causing a steering and handling complaint
What is the result of a damaged drag link?
Steering wheel is in the straight position but the wheels are not.
What are some visual inspections of a drag link?
Clamping bolt is tight Boot is not damaged Grease fitting is usable Castellated nuts have cotter pins No movement between the tapered end and their mounting sockets on the steering arm and pitman arm
Before taking a vehicle on a road tests what must you confirm?
The vehicle won’t risk yourself and the public and that you will not further damage the vehicle
True or False
It is normal for bearings to creep slightly?
True, extends bearing life
True or False
If a new bearing spins easily on a spindle, should the spindle be replaced?
True, the spindle is to worn
When lengthening or shortening the wheel base of a vehicle what also needs to be changed?
Lower steering arms
What part of a tire will wear prematurely if a tire is driven with consistently to high of a tire pressure?
The center of the tread will wear before the outer treads
What part of a tire will wear prematurely if a tire is driven consistently with too low of a tire pressure?
The outer treads of a tire will wear before the center treads
What could be wrong with a vehicles alignment if the tires are showing feathering?
Toe-in is set inccorectly
One side of a tire is wearing quickly what is the alignment problem?
Camber is excessive in the front suspension
What can cause excessive camber in a vehicle?
Worn ball joints
Sagging Springs
Worn control arm bushings
Poor alignment (vehicle did not have its normal load during alignment)
When an air bag has been deployed is there a chance of damaging the clockspring?
Yes, always check the clockspring after an SRS has deployed
How would you reset a clockspring?
turn the over counter-clockwise till it locks. turn the cover clockwise 4.5 turns and align the arrows on the top cover and bottom housing. TAPE assembly and install
Why is alignment of the slip joint important?
If a slip joint is out of phase it could cause binding in the steering
What is the correct way to remove a pitman arm?
Using the correct puller assembly
When the sector shaft is at the bottom of the steering box what is it called?
Regular
If there are multiple timing marks on a pitman arm, what should the technician do to find correct position?
Refer to manufacturer’s instruction (specification)
If a protective boot is missing from a component what is most likely needed?
Replacement of the whole component, due to contamination risk
What are the two types of movement you need to check for to inspect a kingpin and bushing wear?
Horizontal movement and vertical movement
What is important to do when replacing kingpin bushings?
That bushings are driven to the correct depth to leave room for grease seals
Where should the seam of a kingpin bushing be in relation to the spindle?
The seam should be 90 degrees to the spindle
What directions must a reamer only be used in?
Clockwise
For the kingpin and steering knuckle where should shims be located to adjust knuckle vertical movement?
On the top of the axle only. Thrust bearing is on the bottom
When choosing a pressure gauge, what range should it have?
Twice of what you believe you need, they are most accurate in their mid range
How much force should be used to check movement in tie rods?
Hand pressure (100lbs or 445 Newtons)
If a fifth wheel is not lubricated, can it act like a steering system problem?
Yes, a trailer that is not hooked up correctly and cannot move as it needs can act like a steering system issue
What can cause noisy steering?
System is going over relief
Pump is failing