2026 Edition

ASE A4 Practice Test

Take this free ASE A4 Practice Test to study for your ASE A4 certification exam.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) identifies Suspension and Steering as an individual service area for certification (A4). The diagnosis and repair of the following subjects are covered:

Steering systems
Suspension systems
Wheel Alignment
Wheel and Tire Service

There are 50 questions on the exam, 40 of which are scored, and 60 minutes is given to complete it.

To prepare for the ASE A4 exam, use Tests.com's ASE A4 Practice Test. It is written by Dr. John Kershaw, an ASE test question developer and ASE Certified Master Technician. Our interactive test platform allows you to simulate the exam. Take as many practice tests as you need. There's no time limit or recurrent charges.

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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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct.

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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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Technician B is correct because column misalignment causes high steering effort due to binding. A sheared tube will result in loss of steering ability.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Of the answer options, a worn control arm bushings is the least likely to cause vehicle vibration as described.

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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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A lost motion is caused by excessive play between the rack piston and sector

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both Technicians are correct.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

The suspension needs to be loaded when bushing retention bolts are tightened. The other choices are wrong.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Cracking of the rubber bushing is an indicator of wear.

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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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct.

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.

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A shock that fails the bounce test is defective regardless of leakage.

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.

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A shock that fails the bounce test is defective regardless of leakage.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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.

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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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Steering wheel sensors are located at the base of the steering column.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A G-sensor is tested by unbolting it with the ignition on, engine off (KOEO) and reviewing scan tool data for correct operation.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct.

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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

B is correct because the vehicle thrust angle is determined by the rear toe adjustment. Rear camber adjustments are not used by many manufacturers.

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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

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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.

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 an SLA (Short/Long arm) suspension. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct.