ASE ASE Steering & Wheel Alignment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the FIRST step a technician should perform before conducting a four-wheel alignment?
- Set toe on the rear axle
- Inspect tires, ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings for wear (Correct answer)
- Measure caster angle
- Adjust the steering wheel to center
Correct answer: Inspect tires, ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings for wear
Worn suspension and steering components produce inaccurate alignment readings and will not hold adjustments, so a pre-alignment inspection is mandatory.
Question 2: Which alignment angle is adjusted by changing the length of the tie rod on a rack and pinion steering system?
- Caster
- Camber
- Toe (Correct answer)
- Thrust angle
Correct answer: Toe
Rotating the tie rod on a rack and pinion system changes its effective length, which moves the wheel in or out to adjust the toe angle.
Question 3: What causes memory steer, where the vehicle pulls in the direction of the last turn made?
- Excessive positive caster
- Binding upper strut bearing or ball joint (Correct answer)
- Low tire pressure
- Loose wheel bearing
Correct answer: Binding upper strut bearing or ball joint
A binding strut bearing or ball joint prevents the steering from returning to center after a turn, causing the vehicle to follow the last turn direction.
Question 4: On a McPherson strut suspension, camber is MOST commonly adjusted using which method?
- Adjusting the control arm pivot bolt
- Rotating an eccentric bolt or cam bolt at the strut-to-knuckle attachment (Correct answer)
- Replacing the upper strut mount
- Bending the strut tower
Correct answer: Rotating an eccentric bolt or cam bolt at the strut-to-knuckle attachment
An eccentric cam or offset bolt at the strut-to-knuckle pinch bolt allows the knuckle to rotate, changing the wheel's camber angle.
Question 5: What does Steering Axis Inclination (SAI) represent?
- The angle of the tie rod relative to the ground
- The inward tilt of the steering axis from vertical as viewed from the front (Correct answer)
- The maximum steering wheel lock angle
- The angle between the caster and camber axes
Correct answer: The inward tilt of the steering axis from vertical as viewed from the front
SAI is the angle formed between the true vertical and the line through the upper and lower ball joints (or strut bearing and lower ball joint).
Question 6: A vehicle exhibits excessive tire wear on the inside edge of the front tires. Which alignment condition is MOST likely responsible?
- Excessive positive camber
- Excessive negative camber (Correct answer)
- Excessive toe-in
- Insufficient caster
Correct answer: Excessive negative camber
Excessive negative camber tilts the top of the wheel inward, concentrating tire contact load on the inner tread edge and accelerating wear there.
ASE ASE Steering & Wheel Alignment 2
What is the FIRST step a technician should perform before conducting a four-wheel alignment?