Suspension Parts
What part holds the vehicle's weight?
The spring
What connects the rack and pinion to the knuckle?
Tie rod end
What do we check first before beginning an alignment?
Tire pressure, look for worn or damaged parts
How might worn parts affect an alignment?
The measurements may not stay where you set them/Not completely accurate
Name a vehicle in our shop with leaf springs.
Squarebody, Mr. Thompson's Silverado
What is the name of the part that slows the oscillation of the spring?
Shock absorber or Strut
What type of steering will a 4x4 vehicle usually have?
Drag link/parallelogram
What measurements will the alignment machine show us?
Caster, Camber, and toe
What should we do to steering and suspension parts every time we service the vehicle, if we can? Hint: throw-away world
Grease them
Name a vehicle in our shop with MacPhearson Strut suspension.
Kia, VW, Volvo, Taurus
What connects the control arm to the knuckle?
Ball joints
Name the three types of power steering.
Hydraulic, electric, electric-over-hydraulic
What measurement will ALWAYS be adjustable on the front of a vehicle?
Toe
Why do we check parts even if someone just replaced them?
Looking for proper installation and checking for other potentially worn parts
Why might you print the before and after measurements of an alignment?
For service records/For the customer to see proof of the repair
Name the three types of spring.
Coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars
What steering technology has been used more and more since EV's became popular?
Four-wheel steering
Which measurement will we NOT have on the rear? Why?
Caster, it is only need on the axle that steers
Name a method that can be used to remove tie rod ends or ball joints.
Hammer to the knuckle, puller tool, pickle fork
What is the name of the bar that some solid/live axle vehicles have?
Panhard bar/ track bar
Which type of spring is adjustable?
Torsion bar
How do we check steering components for wear or excessive play?
Dry park test/shakedown on lift
How much difference in measurement is allowed side-to-side on caster and camber?
0.50 degrees
Where do you shake the tire to check for play in the tie rod ends?
9 o'clock and 3 o'clock
What is an easy way to check the alignment without using the computer/alignment rack?
Check the tires for unusual wear patterns/damage