2024 Edition

ASE A4 Practice Test

ASE identifies suspension and steering as an individual service area for certification. The suspension and steering service area involves the following components:

Steering system
Suspension system
Wheel Alignment
Wheel and Tire Service

Tests.com's ASE A4 Practice Test was written by Dr. John Kershaw, an ASE test prep expert: ASE test question developer; ASE Certified Master Technician; ASE Master Truck Technician; and Auto Industry Technical Instructor. Dr. Kershaw was among the first to receive ASE certification in 1972.

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Steering Systems Diagnosis and Repair

1.	Technician A says if the steering column input shaft is not aligned correctly there would be noise. Technician B says if the lubricant level is low in a linkage-assist type power steering column, there will be a noise when turning the steering wheel. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both technicians are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

2.	A sport utility vehicle has high steering effort. Technician A says this could be caused by a sheared shift tube. Technician B says the steering column assembly is misaligned. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician B is correct because column misalignment causes high steering effort due to binding. A sheared tube will result in loss of steering ability. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

3.	Technician A says whenever working on the steering column, consult the on-line service information for the recommended airbag disabling procedure. Technician B says the u-joint or flexible coupling must be removed before the steering wheel can be removed. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician A is correct because you must use the OEM information because, if done incorrectly, it can result in air bag deployment and possible personal injury. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

4.	This question has the word LEAST. For this question, look for the choice that would LEAST LIKELY cause the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. While driving a vehicle at 40 miles per hour there is a vibration in the steering wheel. Which of the following is the LEAST likely cause?
		a. Improper wheel balance
		b. Worn control arm bushings
		c. Bent wheel
		d. Shifted belt inside tire
Of the answer options, a worn control arm bushings is the least likely to cause vehicle vibration as described. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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5.	On an integral power steering gear, which of the following indicates excessive play between the rack piston and sector?
		a. Lost motion within steering gear
		b. Steering wheel vibration
		c. Hard steering condition when cold
		d. Hard steering condition when hot
A lost motion is caused by excessive play between the rack piston and sector Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Suspension Systems Diagnosis and Repair

6.	Two technicians are discussing vehicle ride height. Technician A says when the vehicle ride height is too low the vehicle could pull to that side. Technician B says ride height does not affect front camber. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician A is correct because if one side is different in height it will cause a pull. Ride height does affect camber and must be corrected before any alignment adjustments. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

7.	Two technicians are discussing the ride height measuring procedure. Technician A says bent components can cause incorrect ride height. Technician B says for proper measurement of the ride height, the vehicle must have a full tank of fuel. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both Technicians are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

8.	When replacing a lower control arm bushings on a short arm long arm (SLA) suspension, the replacement should be:
		a. Tightened and torqued in a vise
		b. Tightened using the torque turn method
		c. Torqued with vehicle weight on suspension
		d. Torqued with control arm resting on frame
The suspension needs to be loaded when bushing retention bolts are tightened. The other choices are wrong. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

9.	Which of the following conditions is likely to indicate a worn control arm bushing?
		a. Ball joint play
		b. Front suspension sag
		c. Rubber bushing is cracked
		d. Fails the bounce test
Cracking of the rubber bushing is an indicator of wear. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

10.	Two technicians are discussing the replacement of a rebound or jounce bumper. Technician A says if a vehicle fails the jounce test the cause is a defective jounce bumper. Technician B says you need to remove the lower ball joint to replace the jounce bumper on an SLA (short arm long arm) suspension. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both technicians are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Related Steering and Suspension Service

11.	When a shock absorber is to be considered for replacement due to a fluid leak, which of the following applies?
		a. It must show an oil film on the outside.
		b. It fails the bounce test.
		c. It should be weighed to determine if it is low on oil.
		d. It should be removed and inverted to see if it drips oil.
A shock that fails the bounce test is defective regardless of leakage. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

12.	This question has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT meet the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. All of the following statements about a conventional shock absorber are true, EXCEPT:
		a. A slight oil leakage film is considered normal.
		b. A worn or leaking shock will not cause a vehicle to lean.
		c. Purge the air from new shocks before installing.
		d. Oil leakage will cause the vehicle to fail a bounce test.
A shock that fails the bounce test is defective regardless of leakage. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

13.	Two technicians are discussing wheel bearing adjustment on an SLA (short arm long arm) suspension. Technician A says you adjust the front wheel bearings with the vehicle on the ground. Technician B says to use factory procedures when adjusting front wheel bearings. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Technician B is correct because procedures may vary and it is best to follow OEM procedures. Technician A is wrong because the vehicle must be unloaded to make the adjustment on SLA suspensions. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

14.	The steering wheel sensor is typically located at which of the following locations?
		a. Base of the steering column
		b. Under the air bag
		c. On top of the rack and pinion gear
		d. Inside the rack and pinion gear
Steering wheel sensors are located at the base of the steering column. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

15.	Which of the following electronically controlled suspension sensors is tested by unbolting it with the ignition on, engine off (KOEO) and reviewing scan tool data for correct operation?
		a. VSS (vehicle speed sensor)
		b. WSS (wheel speed sensor)
		c. G-sensor
		d. Yaw Rate sensor
A G-sensor is tested by unbolting it with the ignition on, engine off (KOEO) and reviewing scan tool data for correct operation. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Wheel Alignment Diagnosis, Adjustment and Repair

16.	A driver comes in with a wandering concern on an SLA (short arm long arm) suspension. Technician A says a worn relay rod ball socket may be the cause. Technician B says the tie rod adjusting limit may be out of specification. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both technicians are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

17.	Technician A says many torsion bars are adjustable to allow for ride height adjustment. Technician B says torsion bars are usually marked left and right and should never be switched side to side. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both technicians are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

18.	Technician A says the rear camber determines the thrust angle. Technician B says the rear toe angle determines the thrust angle. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
B is correct because the vehicle thrust angle is determined by the rear toe adjustment. Rear camber adjustments are not used by many manufacturers. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

19.	In the Figure, which of the following conditions is shown when viewed from the front of the vehicle?
		a. Positive camber
		b. Negative camber
		c. Toe-in
		d. Toe-out
Positive movement is when the top of the tire is moved out when viewed from the front. Negative camber is when the top is moved in when viewed from the front. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

20.	Two technicians are describing camber. Technician A says camber affects tire wear. Technician B says rebound causes a slight negative change in camber on a SLA (Short/Long arm) suspension. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B
Both technicians are correct. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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Written by:
Dr. John Kershaw
ASE Test Prep Expert

ASE Test Question Developer

ASE Certified Master Technician

ASE Master Truck Technician

Auto Industry Technical Instructor

Among first ASE Certified in 1972

Actual ASE A6 Topics

• General Electric/Electronic

• Battery and Starting Systems

• Charging Systems

• Lighting Systems
• Instrument Cluster/ Driver Info.

• Body Electrical Systems

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Number of Questions on the Actual ASE A Series Tests

A1 – Engine Repair (60)

A2 – Automatic Transmission/Transaxle (60)

A3 – Manual Drive Train & Axles (50)

A4 – Suspension & Steering (50)