ASE ASE Steering & Wheel Alignment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which alignment angle describes the inward or outward tilt of the top of the wheel as viewed from the front of the vehicle?
- Caster
- Camber (Correct answer)
- Toe
- Thrust angle
Correct answer: Camber
Camber is the vertical tilt of the wheel measured in degrees; positive camber tilts the top outward, negative camber tilts it inward.
Question 2: What alignment angle has the GREATEST effect on straight-line stability and steering returnability?
- Camber
- Toe
- Caster (Correct answer)
- Setback
Correct answer: Caster
Caster is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis; positive caster promotes straight-line stability and self-centering of the steering wheel.
Question 3: Which type of steering gear converts rotary motion of the steering wheel into linear motion at the tie rods?
- Recirculating ball
- Rack and pinion (Correct answer)
- Worm and sector
- Cam and lever
Correct answer: Rack and pinion
A rack and pinion gear uses a circular pinion gear that meshes directly with a linear rack, translating rotation into side-to-side movement.
Question 4: A vehicle pulls consistently to the left during braking. Which component is the MOST likely cause?
- Unequal caster angle
- Sticking right front brake caliper (Correct answer)
- Worn tie rod end on left side
- Bent steering rack
Correct answer: Sticking right front brake caliper
A sticking caliper on the right front applies braking force only on that side during deceleration, pulling the vehicle toward the left.
Question 5: What is the thrust angle on a four-wheel alignment?
- The angle between the front axle centerline and the ground
- The angle between the rear axle thrust line and the vehicle centerline (Correct answer)
- The caster split between left and right front wheels
- The camber difference between the rear wheels
Correct answer: The angle between the rear axle thrust line and the vehicle centerline
Thrust angle is the direction the rear axle pushes the vehicle relative to its centerline; a non-zero thrust angle causes the vehicle to dog-track.
Question 6: What does toe-in mean in wheel alignment?
- The front of the tires are farther apart than the rear
- The front of the tires are closer together than the rear when viewed from above (Correct answer)
- The top of the tires tilt inward
- The steering axis tilts toward the driver
Correct answer: The front of the tires are closer together than the rear when viewed from above
Toe-in means the leading edges of the tires point slightly toward each other, which compensates for suspension flex under driving loads.
ASE ASE Steering & Wheel Alignment 1
Which alignment angle describes the inward or outward tilt of the top of the wheel as viewed from the front of the vehicle?