Servicing The Suspension System

Bouncing the car and observing the amount of residual bounces will indicate a shock's ability to operate.

Toe is the angle of the tires when viewed from above.

The cradle in the metal structure that supports a vehicle's drivetrain and is an extension of the frame. If it is bent, any or all of the alignment angles could be changed.

Vehicle wander refers to the tendency of a vehicle to drift or veer off course while driving. This can be caused by various factors, including worn joints and bushings, which can affect the stability and control of the vehicle. Additionally, looseness in steering and suspension components can lead to a lack of responsiveness and precision in the steering system, contributing to vehicle wander. Lastly, if the caster angle, which is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle, is off, it can result in steering instability and cause the vehicle to wander. Therefore, all of the mentioned factors can contribute to vehicle wander.

All of the above will effect ride height.

Vehicles that have struts, either modified or MacPherson, use a coil spring.

The centerline of SAI is the scrub radius.

Slight film on a shock can be considered normal is some instances, B and C however, are both examples of what could be found bad with a shock.

Best practice would tell us to replace shocks or struts in pairs.

Steering knuckles can be made of either cast aluminum or cast iron.

The steering knuckle connects the wheels to the suspension and steering system. It is a crucial component that allows the wheels to turn and pivot as directed by the driver's input through the steering system. The steering knuckle is responsible for maintaining the proper alignment and control of the wheels, ensuring a smooth and controlled driving experience.

Camber is the side to side vertical tilt of a wheel assembly.

Some shocks do have oil which heats up and absorbs the energy of motion. This in turn, dampens the spring oscillations and improves ride quality.

The steering knuckle connects the wheels to the suspension and steering system. It is a crucial component that allows the wheels to turn and pivot when the steering wheel is turned. The steering knuckle is responsible for transmitting the steering input from the steering system to the wheels, allowing for control and maneuverability of the vehicle.

Tech A is correct because an automotive suspension system does work with the steering system to help keep the wheels in correct alignment. The suspension system consists of various components such as springs, shock absorbers, and control arms that work together to absorb shocks and vibrations, maintain stability, and ensure proper wheel alignment. By providing support and flexibility, the suspension system helps to keep the wheels in the correct alignment, allowing for better handling and control of the vehicle.

A bulge on the side of a tire indicates a broken belt on the inside of the tire.

A coil spring suspension on a solid axel will only allow for movement up and down.

When making a turn, the inner tire needs to make a smaller turning radius than that of the outer tire. This is the Ackermann principle.

A rear suspension U-bolt is responsible for clamping the leaf spring to the axle housing. This helps to secure the leaf spring in place and ensure proper suspension and stability of the vehicle.

Tech B is correct. The steering damper is responsible for reducing the vibrations and shocks that are transmitted to the steering wheel when driving on irregular road surfaces. If the steering damper is worn out or damaged, it will not effectively absorb these shocks, resulting in excessive road shock at the steering wheel. Tech A's suggestion about the power steering gear spool valve does not address the specific issue of excessive road shock at the steering wheel.

The unsprung mass of a vehicle refers to the mass of the wheel and brake assemblies. This includes the weight of the wheels, tires, brake components, and any other parts directly connected to the wheels. The unsprung mass is important because it affects the vehicle's handling and suspension performance. A higher unsprung mass can lead to reduced traction, slower response to bumps, and decreased overall stability. Therefore, it is crucial to minimize the unsprung mass to optimize the vehicle's performance and ride quality.

Each tie rod on each side of the vehicle connects the wheel assembly to the center link. The tie rod is an essential component of the steering system, responsible for transmitting the steering movement from the center link to the wheels. It helps to maintain proper alignment and control of the wheels, ensuring stability and smooth steering.

A shackle is a device used to fasten the rear of a leaf spring to the car frame. It provides a secure connection between the leaf spring and the frame, allowing for proper suspension and support of the vehicle.

Unsprung mass is the components' mass which are not held up or supported by the vehicle's suspension.

Both Techs A and B are correct. Tech A is correct in saying that a turning radius is how large a circle the vehicle can turn. This refers to the amount of space needed for the vehicle to complete a full turn. Tech B is also correct in saying that a thrust angle is the average angle of the rear wheels and its relationship to the vehicle's center line. This refers to the alignment of the rear wheels, which affects the vehicle's stability and handling.

Technician B is correct. Vehicles with coil springs need control rods or struts to prevent lateral movement. Leaf springs, on the other hand, do not require control arms or struts for this purpose.

Alignment angle adjustments are always performed from rear to front and from the angle that creates the largest adjustment, to the one that makes the finest adjustment. Therefore, rear caster, camber, toe, then front caster, camber, toe angles are adjusted.

A dog or crab walk are the most commonly used terms to describe a vehicle with excessive thrust angle.

Both technicians are correct. Tech A is correct in saying that MacPherson strut assemblies are often changed because the vehicle bounces too much on irregular roads. MacPherson struts are a type of suspension system that helps absorb shocks and vibrations, so if they are worn or damaged, the vehicle may bounce excessively on uneven surfaces. Tech B is also correct in saying that on some models, the alignment must be checked after new MacPherson struts are installed. This is because changing the struts can affect the alignment of the wheels, so it is necessary to check and adjust the alignment if needed.

The power steering pump reservoir can be mounted to the pump itself or it can be remotely mounted. This means that it can be located either directly on the pump or at a distance from it. Therefore, the correct answer is both A and B.

Air bubbles in the power steering fluid can be caused by a low fluid level. When the fluid level is low, air can enter the system and mix with the fluid, causing bubbles. This can result in a loss of power steering effectiveness and potentially lead to damage to the power steering system. It is important to regularly check and maintain the proper fluid level to prevent this issue.

Both A and B are correct because the center link and the drag link both connect the pitman arm to the idler arm. The center link is a crucial component of the steering system that connects the pitman arm to the idler arm, while the drag link also connects the pitman arm to the idler arm and helps to control the movement of the wheels. Therefore, both options A and B accurately describe the connection between the pitman arm and the idler arm.

The automotive suspension system is responsible for several functions, including providing a smooth ride for passengers, keeping tires in firm contact with the road, and allowing the body to tilt when heavily loaded. However, the suspension system does not directly control the turning of the front wheels for steering. This function is primarily performed by the steering system, which is separate from the suspension system.

The ball joint in the upper control arm is typically not loaded, and is therefore a following ball joint.

Tech B is correct. Excessive tie rod end play is not okay when aligning a car as it can cause steering instability and uneven tire wear. On the other hand, the setback, which refers to the difference in the distance between the front and rear axles on each side of the vehicle, is typically not adjustable and is determined by the vehicle's design.

Tech B is correct. The main problems in the power steering system are play and hard steering. This means that there is excessive movement or looseness in the steering wheel, and the steering requires more effort than usual. Leaks can also be a problem in the power steering system, but it is not mentioned as one of the main problems. Therefore, Tech A is incorrect in stating that leaks are one of the main problems.

When unloading the ball joints on a front suspension with the coil spring located between the lower control arm and the frame, it is important to place a safety stand under the lower control arm. This is because the lower control arm supports the weight of the vehicle and provides stability to the suspension system. Placing a safety stand under the lower control arm ensures that the suspension is properly supported and prevents any potential accidents or damage while working on the ball joints.

If the caster is out of specification and not adjustable on the vehicle, the technician should first check the cradle (subframe) alignment. The cradle alignment can affect the caster angle, so it is important to ensure that the cradle is properly aligned before attempting any other adjustments or repairs. This will help to determine if the misalignment of the cradle is causing the caster to be out of specification. Once the cradle alignment is checked and corrected if necessary, the technician can then reassess the caster angle and make any additional adjustments or repairs as needed.

Excessive toe-out on the left rear wheel can cause the thrust angle on a front-wheel drive vehicle to be more than specified and the thrust line to be positioned to the left of the geometric centerline. Toe-out refers to the condition where the front edges of the tires are pointed outward. When the left rear wheel has excessive toe-out, it can cause the rear of the vehicle to push to the left, resulting in the thrust angle being off and the vehicle not tracking straight.

Both techs are correct. A torsion bar is a type of suspension system component that is used to provide support and stability to the vehicle's frame. It is typically connected to the vehicle's frame on one end and the suspension system control arm on the other end. Therefore, both Tech A and Tech B are correct in their statements about how a torsion bar fastens to the vehicle's frame and suspension system control arm.

In a short/long arm type front suspension system, the lower control arm is longer than the upper control arm. This allows the lower control arm to move up and down independently, accommodating movement in the suspension while still maintaining steering geometry. This design helps to improve the stability and handling of the vehicle by allowing the suspension to move freely while keeping the steering components in the correct position.

Tech B is correct. The steering wheel does transmit the driver's steering effort to the steering box. The steering column, on the other hand, connects the steering wheel to the steering mechanism and allows for the transfer of both linear and rotational movement from the steering wheel to the steering knuckle.

Excessive body sway while cornering is usually caused by a lack of stability and control in the suspension system. A worn strut rod bushing can contribute to this issue as it affects the stability and alignment of the suspension components. Therefore, it is not an exception and could be a potential cause of the problem.

Both Techs A and B are correct. Tech A is correct in stating that setback is not adjustable. Setback refers to the difference in the distance between the centerline of the front wheels and the centerline of the rear wheels on a vehicle. It is a fixed measurement and cannot be adjusted. Tech B is correct in stating that setback can cause a pull on a front-wheel-drive car. If there is a difference in setback between the left and right sides of the front wheels, it can cause the car to pull to one side while driving.

Both Techs A and B are correct. Camber refers to the angle of the wheels in relation to the vertical axis, and it can be adjusted using shims. Caster, on the other hand, refers to the angle of the steering axis in relation to the vertical axis, and it can also be adjusted using shims. Therefore, both Tech A and Tech B are correct in their statements.

The twin-tube shock is the most commonly used shock in automobiles.

Panhard or track rods are used with coil spring suspensions to prevent the rear axle from moving from side to side without restricting its vertical movement. These rods are attached to the chassis at one end and to the axle at the other end, creating a lateral link that keeps the axle in line with the chassis. This helps to maintain stability and control during cornering and prevents excessive body roll.

The correct answer is A. Inadequate caster on the left front wheel. Caster refers to the angle of the steering axis in relation to the vertical axis of the vehicle. Inadequate caster on the left front wheel can cause the vehicle to pull to the left while driving straight ahead. This happens because inadequate caster can result in unequal weight distribution on the front wheels, causing the vehicle to veer to one side.

Positive is the backward tilt of the steering axis.

Excessive inside tire wear on the right rear tire can be caused by a bent rear spindle. The rear spindle is a part of the suspension system that connects the rear wheel to the axle. If it is bent, it can cause the tire to tilt inward, resulting in excessive wear on the inside edge of the tire. This misalignment can also lead to poor handling and uneven tire wear on other tires. Therefore, a bent rear spindle is a likely cause of this problem.