ASEP 145 - Steering, Suspension, Alignments & Brakes Level 2

Credits: 4
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

1. SUSPENSION AND STEERING

1. Diagnose and complete general Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Suspension and Steering.
   1. Research vehicle service information such as fluid type, vehicle service history, service precautions, technical service bulletins, and recalls including xEVs and vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
   2. Identify suspension and steering system components and configurations.
   3. Retrieve and record on-board diagnostics, DTCs, monitor status, and freeze frame data; clear codes and data when directed.
   4. Disable, enable, and properly handle SRS/airbag system components during vehicle service following manufacturers' procedures.
   5. Identify and interpret suspension and steering system concerns; determine needed action.
2. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Steering Systems.

1.  Inspect rack and pinion steering gear, tie rod ends (sockets), and bellows boots; repair or replace as needed.
2. Inspect power steering fluid level and condition.
3. Drain and replace power steering system fluid; use proper fluid type per manufacturer specification.
4. Inspect for power steering fluid leakage; determine needed action.
5. Remove, inspect, replace, and/or adjust power steering pump drive belt.
6. Inspect, remove, and/or replace power steering hoses and fittings.
7. Inspect, remove, and/or replace pitman arm, relay (center link/intermediate) rod, idler arm, mountings, and steering linkage damper.
8. Inspect, replace, and/or adjust tie rod ends (sockets), tie rod sleeves, and clamps (non-rack and pinion).
9. Inspect and test electric power steering system; determine needed action.
10. Remove and replace steering wheel; center/time supplemental restraint system (SRS) coil (clock spring).
11. Diagnose steering column noises, looseness, and binding concerns (including tilt/telescoping mechanisms); determine needed action.
12. Diagnose power steering gear (non-rack and pinion) binding, uneven turning effort, looseness, hard steering, and noise concerns; determine needed action.
13. Diagnose power steering gear (rack and pinion) binding, uneven turning effort, looseness, hard steering, and noise concerns; determine needed action.
14. Inspect steering shaft universal joint(s), flexible coupling(s), collapsible column, lock cylinder mechanism, and steering wheel; determine needed action.
15. Remove and replace rack and pinion steering gear; inspect mounting bushings and brackets.
16. Remove and reinstall the power steering pump.
17. Remove and reinstall press fit power steering pump pulley; check pulley and belt alignment.

3. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Suspension Systems.

1. Inspect, remove, and/or replace upper and/or lower control arms, bushings, and shafts.
2. Inspect and replace rebound/jounce bumpers.
3. Inspect, remove, and/or replace track bar, strut rods/radius arms, and related mounts and bushings.
4. Inspect, remove, and/or replace upper and/or lower ball joints (with or without wear indicators).
5. Inspect, remove, and/or replace suspension system coil springs and spring insulators.
6. Inspect, remove, and/or replace torsion bars and mounts
7. Inspect, remove, and/or replace front/rear stabilizer bar (sway bar) bushings, brackets, and links.
8. Inspect, remove, and/or replace strut assembly, strut coil spring, insulators, and upper strut bearing mount.
9. Inspect, remove, and/or replace components of rear suspension systems (Coil, Leaf, and Torsion Beam).
10. Inspect, remove, and/or replace components of electronically controlled suspension systems.
11. Inspect, remove, and/or replace steering knuckle assemblies.
12. Diagnose suspension system noises, body sway, and uneven ride height concerns; determine needed action.

4. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Related Suspension and Steering Service.

1. Inspect, remove, and/or replace shock absorbers; inspect mounts and bushings.
2. Inspect, service, and/or replace front and rear wheel bearings.
3. Describe the function of electronically controlled suspension and steering systems and components, (i.e., active suspension and stability control).

5. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Wheel Alignment.

1. Determine the need to recalibrate a vehicle’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that may require calibration after repairs or adjustments.
2. Perform pre-alignment inspection, place vehicle in service mode as required; measure vehicle ride height; determine needed action.
3. Describe four-wheel alignment angles (camber, caster, toe, setback, and thrust angle) and effects on vehicle handling\tire wear.
4. Prepare vehicle for wheel alignment on alignment machine; perform four-wheel alignment by checking and adjusting front caster, front and rear camber, and toe as required; center steering wheel.
5. Check toe-out-on-turns (turning radius); determine needed action.
6. Check steering axis inclination (SAI) and included angle; determine needed action.
7. Check rear wheel thrust angle; determine needed action.
8. Check for front wheel setback; determine needed action.
9. Identify front and/or rear cradle (subframe) misalignment; determine needed action.
10. Reset steering angle sensor.
11. Diagnose vehicle wander, drift, pull, hard steering, bump steer, memory steer,  torque steer, and steering return concerns; determine needed action.

6. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Wheels and Tires.

1. Inspect tire condition/age; identify tire wear patterns; check for correct tire size, application (service-class, load, and speed ratings), and air pressure as listed on the tire information placard/label.
2. Rotate tires according to manufacturer’s recommendation including vehicles equipped with tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
3. Dismount, inspect, and remount tire on wheel (with/without TPMS); balance wheel and tire assembly.
4. Inspect tire and wheel assembly for air loss; determine needed action.
5. Repair tire following tire manufacturer approved procedure.
6. Identify indirect and direct tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS); calibrate/relearn system; verify operation of instrument panel lamps.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of steps required to remove and replace sensors (per OEM/sensor manufacturer) in a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
8. Perform Road Force balance/match mounting.
9. Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, and noise; determine needed action.
10. Measure wheel, tire, axle flange, and hub runout; determine needed action.
11. Diagnose tire pull problems; determine needed action.

2. BRAKES

1. Diagnose and complete general Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Brakes.

1. Research vehicle service information such as fluid type, system design (hydraulic, electronic, etc.), vehicle service history, service precautions, technical service bulletins, and recalls including xEVs and vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
2. Identify brake system components and configurations.
3. Retrieve and record on-board diagnostics, DTCs, monitor status, and freeze frame data; clear codes and data when directed.
4. Place a vehicle in service mode as needed before servicing the brake system.
5. Perform calibration/recalibration, initialization, or relearn procedures as required.
6. Describe procedure for performing a road test to check brake system operation, including an anti-lock brake system (ABS).
7. Install wheel and torque lug nuts/wheel fasteners.
8. Identify and interpret brake system concerns; determine needed action.

2. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Hydraulic System.

1. Diagnose pressure concerns in the brake system using hydraulic principles (Pascal’s Law).
2. Measure brake pedal height, travel, and free play (as applicable); determine needed action.
3. Check primary cylinder for internal/external leaks and proper operation; determine needed action.
4. Inspect brake lines, flexible hoses, and fittings for leaks, dents, kinks, rust, cracks, bulging, wear, and loose fittings/supports; determine needed action.
5. Select, handle, store, and fill brake fluids to proper level; use proper fluid type per manufacturer specification.
6. Bleed and/or replace fluid in the brake system.
7. Test brake fluid for contamination.
8. Identify, inspect, test, and replace components of brake warning light system.
9. Remove, bench bleed, and reinstall primary cylinder.
10. Diagnose poor stopping, pulling, or dragging concerns caused by malfunctions  in the hydraulic system; determine needed action.
11. Replace brake lines, hoses, fittings, and supports.
12. Fabricate brake lines using proper material and flaring procedures.

3. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Drum Brakes.

1. Remove, clean, and inspect brake drum; measure brake drum diameter; determine serviceability.
2. Refinish brake drum and measure final drum diameter; compare with specification.
3. Remove, clean, inspect, and/or replace brake shoes, springs, pins, clips, levers, adjusters/self-adjusters, other related brake hardware, and backing support plates; lubricate and reassemble.
4. Inspect wheel cylinders for leaks and proper operation; remove and replace as needed.
5. Pre-adjust brake shoes and parking brake; install brake drums or drum/hub assemblies and wheel bearings; perform final checks and adjustments.
6. Diagnose poor stopping, noise, vibration, pulling, grabbing, dragging, or pedal pulsation concerns; determine needed action.

4. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Disc Brakes.

1. Remove and clean caliper assembly; inspect for leaks, damage, and wear; determine needed action.
2. Inspect caliper mounting and slides/pins for proper operation, wear, and damage; determine needed action
3. Remove, inspect, and/or replace brake pads and retaining hardware; determine needed action.
4. Lubricate and reinstall caliper, brake pads, and related hardware; seat brake pads against rotor; inspect for leaks.
5. Clean and inspect rotor and mounting surface; measure rotor thickness, thickness variation, and lateral runout; determine needed action.
6. Remove and reinstall/replace rotor.
7. Refinish rotor on vehicle; measure final rotor thickness and compare with specification.
8. Refinish rotor off vehicle; measure final rotor thickness and compare with specification.
9. Retract and re-adjust caliper piston on an integrated parking brake system.
10. Describe importance of operating vehicle to burnish/break-in replacement brake pads according to manufacturer’s recommendation.
11. Diagnose poor stopping, noise, vibration, pulling, grabbing, dragging, or pulsation concerns; determine needed action.

5. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Power-Assist Units.

1. Check brake pedal travel with and without engine running to verify proper power booster operation.
2. Identify components of the brake power assist system (vacuum/ hydraulic/electric).
3.  Inspect vacuum-type power booster unit for leaks; inspect the check-valve for proper operation; check vacuum supply (manifold or auxiliary pump) to vacuum-type power booster; determine needed action.
4. Inspect and test hydraulically assisted power brake system for leaks and proper operation; determine needed action.

6. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Related Systems (i.e., Wheel Bearings, Parking Brakes, Electrical).

1. Remove, clean, inspect, repack/replace, and install wheel bearings; remove and install bearing races; replace seals; install hub and adjust bearings.
2. Check parking brake system components for wear, binding, and corrosion; clean, lubricate, adjust and/or replace as needed.
3. Check parking brake operation (including electric parking brakes); check parking brake indicator light system operation; determine needed action.
4. Check operation of brake stop light system.
5. Inspect and replace wheel studs/wheel fasteners.
6. Remove, reinstall, and/or replace sealed wheel bearing assembly.
7. Diagnose wheel bearing noises, wheel shimmy, and vibration concerns; determine needed action.

7. Diagnose and complete Level 2 ASE Education Foundation tasks for Electronic Brake Control Systems: Antilock Brake (ABS), Traction Control (TCS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Systems.

1. Identify and inspect electronic brake control system components and describe function (ABS, TCS, ESC); determine needed action.
2. Describe the operation of a regenerative braking system.
3. Bleed the electronic brake control system hydraulic circuits.