AUT 404 - Basic Suspension & Steering

1. Perform proper shop safety procedures.
   1. Apply work area safety skills.
   2. Demonstrate safe personal working habits.
   3. Practice safe tool and equipment usage.
   4. Follow manufacturer and government warnings and regulations and repair procedures.
2. Discuss characteristics of vehicle handling.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of suspension systems.
   1. Identify front suspension system design and nomenclature.
   2. Identify rear suspension system design and nomenclature
   3. Explain the importance of correct curb height.
   4. Discuss design and operation of shock absorbers.
   5. Determine diagnostic procedure used to evaluate shock absorber serviceability.
   6. Discuss Electronic Level and Ride Control Systems.
4. Suspension Systems Diagnosis and Repair.
   1. Research applicable vehicle and service information, vehicle service history, service precautions, and technical service bulletins.
   2. Identify and interpret suspension and steering system concerns; determine necessary action.
   3. Diagnose short and long arm suspension system noises, body sway, and uneven ride height concerns; determine necessary action.
   4. Diagnose strut suspension system noises, body sway, and uneven ride height concerns; determine necessary action.
   5. Inspect, remove and install front suspension system components using correct tools and procedures.
   6. Inspect, remove and install rear suspension system components using correct tools and procedures.
5. Steering system design and operation.
   1. Identify types of steering systems.
   2. Identify steering linkage component nomenclature.
   3. Discuss power steering hydraulic theory.
   4. Determine power steering systems component nomenclature.
6. Steering System Diagnosis and Repair.
   1. Diagnose steering column noises, looseness, and binding concerns (including tilt mechanisms); determine necessary action.
   2. Diagnose power steering gear (rack and pinion/non-rack and pinion) binding, uneven turning effort, looseness, hard steering, and noise concerns; determine necessary action.
   3. Evaluate steering system linkage; determine necessary action.
7. Discuss Suspension and Steering System Alignment Angles.
   1. Explain operation and purpose of caster angle.
   2. Explain operation and purpose of camber angle.
   3. Explain operation and purpose of steering axis inclination angle.
   4. Explain operation and purpose of the turning radius angle.
   5. Explain operation and purpose of toe angle.
   6. Differentiate between alignment types.
   7. Discuss typical alignment adjustment procedures.
   8. Discuss alignment related handling concerns.
   9. Discuss non-alignment related handling concerns.
8. Wheel Alignment Diagnosis, Adjustment, and Repair.
   1. Diagnose vehicle wander, drift, pull, hard steering, bump steer, memory steer, torque steer, and steering return concerns; determine necessary action.
   2. Perform pre-alignment inspection and measure vehicle ride height; perform necessary action.
   3. Prepare vehicle for wheel alignment on alignment machine; perform four-wheel alignment by checking and adjusting front and rear wheel caster, camber and toe as required; center steering wheel.
   4. Check toe-out-on-turns (turning radius); determine necessary action.
   5. Check SAI (steering axis inclination) and included angle; determine necessary action.
   6. Check rear wheel thrust angle; determine necessary action.
   7. Check for front wheel setback; determine necessary action.
9. Wheels and Tires Diagnosis and Repair.
   1. Inspect tire condition; identify tire wear patterns; check for correct tire size and application (load and speed ratings) and adjust air pressure; determine necessary action.
   2. Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, and noise; determine necessary action.
   3. Diagnose tire pull problems; determine necessary action.