ASE T5 Suspension & Steering Certification Exam
Complete Practice Test | 150 Questions
Verified for 2025 | 100% Correct Answers with
Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Steering System Diagnosis and Repair (Questions 1-40)
1. The driver of a truck says that he hears a clattering noise from the front axle when driving on
a rough road. Technician A says the cause could be worn shock absorber mounting bushings.
Technician B says the cause could be worn shackle bushings. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: Either a worn shackle bushing or worn shock bushing can cause noise due to
looseness when the truck hits a bump. If there is clearance between the rubber bushing and
mounting bolt, or if the rubber bushing has worn very thin, elongated, or broken, the result will
be a clattering noise as the suspension motion repeatedly takes up clearance .
2. The driver of a truck says that it is too hard to steer and that the steering wheel return is too
fast. Which of these is the most likely cause?
A. Too much negative caster
B. Too much positive caster
C. Too much negative camber
D. Too much positive camber
Correct Answer: B) Too much positive caster
Explanation: Caster action is the most critical suspension alignment specification for steering
wheel return to center. Caster lifts the truck as the wheel is turned; when caster is too high, the
weight of the truck exerts too much force in centering the steering, creating hard steering and
fast return .
3. A steering gear binds when turning to the left after it has been adjusted. The most likely
cause is that the:
A. Worm bearing preload was set too high
B. Steering shaft U-joints are sticking
,C. Gearbox was not centered when the lash was adjusted
D. Recirculating ball nut thrust adjustment is off
Correct Answer: A) Worm bearing preload was set too high
Explanation: Excessive worm bearing preload shows up as binding when steering is turned to
one extreme because friction becomes excessive due to the combination of normal load and too
much preload. Sticking U-joints would cause rough rotation at all steering angles .
4. Technician A says that steering columns are collapsible to prevent the column from causing
serious injury to the driver during a collision. Technician B says that when a steering column has
been collapsed, the entire column must be replaced. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: Steering columns are designed to be collapsible to prevent the column from
seriously impacting the driver during a front-end collision. If an accident has occurred and the
steering column has partially collapsed, the entire column must be replaced—it cannot be
repaired .
5. Which of these is most likely to cause steering wheel shimmy?
A. Too much positive caster
B. Out-of-balance wheels
C. Air in the power steering system
D. Low tire pressure
Correct Answer: B) Out-of-balance wheels
Explanation: Out-of-balance wheels cause a high-frequency vibration that shows up in the
wheel as shimmy. Caster affects self-centering action, air in the system causes hard steering,
and low tire pressure causes poor tread contact .
6. A constant buzzing noise comes from the power steering pump. Technician A says the cause
could be air in the system. Technician B says the cause could be that the relief valve is stuck in
the open position. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: A) Technician A only
,Explanation: When power steering fluid becomes aerated, bubbles cause rough, uneven flow
and consequent noise. When a relief valve sticks open, fluid flows more smoothly (less
restricted), causing no noise but poor power assist instead .
7. The steering gear sector shaft preload is to be set. Technician A says the steering wheel must
be in the center position. Technician B says the drag link should be disconnected from the
pitman arm. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: The steering wheel must be in the center position because clearances in the box
are tightest at center; setting preload elsewhere would cause binding at center. The drag link
must be disconnected because preload produces very small friction that must be measured
separately from the rest of the steering system .
8. A vehicle has exhibited power steering fluid leakage. Disassembly of components has
revealed deteriorated seals in both the pump and steering gear. Technician A says to find out if
the vehicle has been run severely overloaded. Technician B says to check for use of an
incorrect replacement hose. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: The most likely cause is overheating of the fluid, causing all system seals to
deteriorate. Running a vehicle severely overloaded or installing a hose with too small a diameter
could overheat the power steering fluid and create widespread seal failure .
9. The driver of a new truck says that he feels a light tire thump. Technician A says the cause
could be an out-of-balance tire. Technician B says the cause could be an over-inflated tire. Who
is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: A) Technician A only
Explanation: An out-of-balance tire produces uneven forces, causing the tire to bounce as the
heavier portion rotates. Overinflated tires produce constant forces but may cause uneven wear
and imprecise steering—not a thumping sensation .
, 10. Technician A says that when diagnosing a power steering leak, the wheels should be in a
straight-ahead position. Technician B says that when diagnosing a power steering leak, the
steering wheel should be rotated from stop-to-stop to put pressure on the system. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: B) Technician B only
Explanation: When diagnosing a power steering leak, the area should be clean and the system
full. The engine should be started and the steering wheel rotated from stop-to-stop (without
holding against stops for more than two seconds) to pressurize the system and reveal leaks .
11. A bent steering arm was replaced and now the vehicle produces excessive tire side scrub
during sharp turns. What could cause this condition?
A. An incorrectly adjusted camber setting
B. A lack of kingpin lubrication
C. An incorrect steering arm
D. An incorrect toe setting
Correct Answer: C) An incorrect steering arm
Explanation: An incorrect steering arm could affect the Ackerman angle or toe-out on turns,
changing tire paths during turns and producing tire side scrub. Incorrect camber causes edge
wear, lack of lubricant causes stiffness, and incorrect toe causes scrubbing at all times .
12. A driver complains that after hitting a bump his vehicle suddenly veers to the right or left.
Which of these is the LEAST LIKELY cause?
A. A loose idler arm
B. A damaged relay rod
C. A worn tie rod end
D. A wheel out of balance
Correct Answer: D) A wheel out of balance
Explanation: Wheel balance issues cause shaking or vibration in the steering wheel, not veering
after bumps. Loose idler arms, damaged relay rods, and worn tie rod ends all create looseness
that causes veering when striking bumps .
13. A driver complains that he notices a vibration in the steering wheel while traveling at 28
mph. Of the conditions listed below, which is the LEAST LIKELY cause?
A. Improper wheel balance
B. Worn kingpin bushings
C. Bent wheel mounting surface
D. Shifted belt inside tire
Complete Practice Test | 150 Questions
Verified for 2025 | 100% Correct Answers with
Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Steering System Diagnosis and Repair (Questions 1-40)
1. The driver of a truck says that he hears a clattering noise from the front axle when driving on
a rough road. Technician A says the cause could be worn shock absorber mounting bushings.
Technician B says the cause could be worn shackle bushings. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: Either a worn shackle bushing or worn shock bushing can cause noise due to
looseness when the truck hits a bump. If there is clearance between the rubber bushing and
mounting bolt, or if the rubber bushing has worn very thin, elongated, or broken, the result will
be a clattering noise as the suspension motion repeatedly takes up clearance .
2. The driver of a truck says that it is too hard to steer and that the steering wheel return is too
fast. Which of these is the most likely cause?
A. Too much negative caster
B. Too much positive caster
C. Too much negative camber
D. Too much positive camber
Correct Answer: B) Too much positive caster
Explanation: Caster action is the most critical suspension alignment specification for steering
wheel return to center. Caster lifts the truck as the wheel is turned; when caster is too high, the
weight of the truck exerts too much force in centering the steering, creating hard steering and
fast return .
3. A steering gear binds when turning to the left after it has been adjusted. The most likely
cause is that the:
A. Worm bearing preload was set too high
B. Steering shaft U-joints are sticking
,C. Gearbox was not centered when the lash was adjusted
D. Recirculating ball nut thrust adjustment is off
Correct Answer: A) Worm bearing preload was set too high
Explanation: Excessive worm bearing preload shows up as binding when steering is turned to
one extreme because friction becomes excessive due to the combination of normal load and too
much preload. Sticking U-joints would cause rough rotation at all steering angles .
4. Technician A says that steering columns are collapsible to prevent the column from causing
serious injury to the driver during a collision. Technician B says that when a steering column has
been collapsed, the entire column must be replaced. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: Steering columns are designed to be collapsible to prevent the column from
seriously impacting the driver during a front-end collision. If an accident has occurred and the
steering column has partially collapsed, the entire column must be replaced—it cannot be
repaired .
5. Which of these is most likely to cause steering wheel shimmy?
A. Too much positive caster
B. Out-of-balance wheels
C. Air in the power steering system
D. Low tire pressure
Correct Answer: B) Out-of-balance wheels
Explanation: Out-of-balance wheels cause a high-frequency vibration that shows up in the
wheel as shimmy. Caster affects self-centering action, air in the system causes hard steering,
and low tire pressure causes poor tread contact .
6. A constant buzzing noise comes from the power steering pump. Technician A says the cause
could be air in the system. Technician B says the cause could be that the relief valve is stuck in
the open position. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: A) Technician A only
,Explanation: When power steering fluid becomes aerated, bubbles cause rough, uneven flow
and consequent noise. When a relief valve sticks open, fluid flows more smoothly (less
restricted), causing no noise but poor power assist instead .
7. The steering gear sector shaft preload is to be set. Technician A says the steering wheel must
be in the center position. Technician B says the drag link should be disconnected from the
pitman arm. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: The steering wheel must be in the center position because clearances in the box
are tightest at center; setting preload elsewhere would cause binding at center. The drag link
must be disconnected because preload produces very small friction that must be measured
separately from the rest of the steering system .
8. A vehicle has exhibited power steering fluid leakage. Disassembly of components has
revealed deteriorated seals in both the pump and steering gear. Technician A says to find out if
the vehicle has been run severely overloaded. Technician B says to check for use of an
incorrect replacement hose. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: The most likely cause is overheating of the fluid, causing all system seals to
deteriorate. Running a vehicle severely overloaded or installing a hose with too small a diameter
could overheat the power steering fluid and create widespread seal failure .
9. The driver of a new truck says that he feels a light tire thump. Technician A says the cause
could be an out-of-balance tire. Technician B says the cause could be an over-inflated tire. Who
is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: A) Technician A only
Explanation: An out-of-balance tire produces uneven forces, causing the tire to bounce as the
heavier portion rotates. Overinflated tires produce constant forces but may cause uneven wear
and imprecise steering—not a thumping sensation .
, 10. Technician A says that when diagnosing a power steering leak, the wheels should be in a
straight-ahead position. Technician B says that when diagnosing a power steering leak, the
steering wheel should be rotated from stop-to-stop to put pressure on the system. Who is right?
A. Technician A only
B. Technician B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
Correct Answer: B) Technician B only
Explanation: When diagnosing a power steering leak, the area should be clean and the system
full. The engine should be started and the steering wheel rotated from stop-to-stop (without
holding against stops for more than two seconds) to pressurize the system and reveal leaks .
11. A bent steering arm was replaced and now the vehicle produces excessive tire side scrub
during sharp turns. What could cause this condition?
A. An incorrectly adjusted camber setting
B. A lack of kingpin lubrication
C. An incorrect steering arm
D. An incorrect toe setting
Correct Answer: C) An incorrect steering arm
Explanation: An incorrect steering arm could affect the Ackerman angle or toe-out on turns,
changing tire paths during turns and producing tire side scrub. Incorrect camber causes edge
wear, lack of lubricant causes stiffness, and incorrect toe causes scrubbing at all times .
12. A driver complains that after hitting a bump his vehicle suddenly veers to the right or left.
Which of these is the LEAST LIKELY cause?
A. A loose idler arm
B. A damaged relay rod
C. A worn tie rod end
D. A wheel out of balance
Correct Answer: D) A wheel out of balance
Explanation: Wheel balance issues cause shaking or vibration in the steering wheel, not veering
after bumps. Loose idler arms, damaged relay rods, and worn tie rod ends all create looseness
that causes veering when striking bumps .
13. A driver complains that he notices a vibration in the steering wheel while traveling at 28
mph. Of the conditions listed below, which is the LEAST LIKELY cause?
A. Improper wheel balance
B. Worn kingpin bushings
C. Bent wheel mounting surface
D. Shifted belt inside tire
