Suspension and Steering Diagnosis

Question 1

A low curb height measurement on the left side of a vehicle is most likley caused by:

a) a broken or sagged right front spring
b) a broken or sagged left front spring
c) a leaking left front strut
d) a worn out left rear shock absorber

Answer 1

b) a broken or sagged left front spring

Question 2

Torsilastic control arm bushings must be torqued:

a) in the full rebound position
b) in the full jounce position
c) before installing the control arm
d) at curb height

Answer 2

d) at curb height

Question 3

When the body of a vehicle continues to bounce after going through a dip, it probably needs:

a) new springs
b) less tire pressure
c) new stabilizer bushings
d) new shock absorbers

Answer 3

d) new shock absorbers

Question 4

Outer tie rod ends are most accurately checked for wear by using:

a) a tie rod deflection tool
b) a pry bar
c) plier sto squeeze the joint
d) the dry park check for lateral movement

Answer 4

d) the dry park check for lateral movement

Question 5

Wear indicator load carrying ball joints should be:

a) checked only on a frame contact hoist
b) unloaded before inspection
c) inspected with ball joints loaded
d) be checked by pry bar and ball joint inspection gauge

Answer 5

c) inspected with ball joints loaded

Question 6

During control arm bushing installation:

a) it is always necessary to spot weld the replacement bushing
b) it is best to use an oversize bushing as a replacement
c) care must be taken not to distort the control arm
d) positioning of the bushing is not important

Answer 6

c) care must be taken not to distort the control arm

Question 7

When installing a slotted nut on a tie rod end or ball joint:

a) do not use a cotter pin if the hole does not align with the slot
b) always torque the not to 90 ft. lbs. before installing a cotter pin
c) torque the nut to specifications and then back off the nut to align the slots with the hole
d) torque the nut to minimum specifications and then tighten further until the slots and the hole are aligned

Answer 7

d) torque the nut to minimum specifications and then tighten further until the slots and the hole are aligned

Question 8

A bent steering arm should be:

a) replaced
b) heated and straightened
c) straightened while cold
d) shimmed no more than 6.35 mm (0.250 in)

Answer 8

a) replaced

Question 9

A vehicle pulls slightly to the left at all times. The cause could be:

a) excessive toe-in (+)
b) excessive toe-out (-)
c) low tire pressure on both front wheels
d) unevenly adjust caster

Answer 9

d) unevenly adjusted caster

Question 10

Whiel road testing a vehicle, you feel a pull to the left on the steering wheel during heavy braking, accompanied by a loud clank. The most likely problem is:

a) worn control arm bushings
b) too much positive camber on the right
c) weak shock absorbers
d) too much positive caster on the left

Answer 10

a) worn control arm bushings

Question 11

Front wheel toe change during jounce and rebound is normal providing the change is:

a) the same on each side
b) positive on jounce and negative on rebound
c) opposite on each side
d) less than ¼°

Answer 11

a) the same on each side

Question 12

Bump steer is caused by unequal:

a) camber change
b) toe change
c) caster change
d) tie rod adjustment

Answer 12

b) toe change

Question 13

Seized upper strut mount bearings could cause:

a) bump steer
b) torque steer
c) memory steer
d) low-speed shimmy

Answer 13

c) memory steer