ASE A4 Practice Test Questions and Verified
Answers
Question 1
Shock absorbers are being installed in the rear of a rear wheel driver solid axle vehicle
with coil springs. Tech A says the axle must be supported before the shocks are
removed. Tech B says that the coil springs must be compressed with a spring
compressor. Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. both A and B
D. Neither A or B
Correct Answer
A. in this suspension design, the shocks are under tension from the coil spring when
the vehicle is raised and the suspension is at full rebound, therefore the axle must
be supported before the shocks are removed. It is not necessary to compress the
coil springs to remove the shocks.
Question 2
A vehicle equipped with power steering exhibits excessive steering effort. All hydraulic
system specs are correct and the alignment is within specs. Tech A says that this
condition may be caused by corrosion in the steering linkage ball studs. Tech B says
that the intermediate shaft U joints could be binding. Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither Tech
Correct Answer
C. Both techs are right. Worn dust boots on ball studs can allow contamination and
rusting of ball studs in their sockets. However, some vehicles have an intermediate
shaft connecting the steering column with the gear. The U-joints on this shaft are
subject to rust and binding.
Page 1 of 34
,Question 3
A driver says that the front end of his car vibrates up and down while traveling at
most road speeds. Tech A says that too much runout of the front wheels could be the
cause. Tech B says that a static out of balance of the front wheels could be the cause.
Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A or B
Correct Answer
C. Both Techs are right. Too much runout or static out of balance in the front wheels
will cause a vibration
Question 4
The ball joints on a Macpherson strut- type suspension are being replaced. Tech A
says that coil spring compressor should be installed before separating the control arm
and the spindle. Tech B says that the wheel alignment should be checked after the ball
joints have been replaced. Who is right?
A. tech A Only
B. Tech B Only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither
Correct Answer
B. The wheel alignment should be checked after the ball joint (or any suspension
part) is replaced. It is not necessary to install a coil spring compressor prior to
separating the control arm and the spindle because the MacPhearson strut
assembly contains a spring. However, a spring compressor should be used if the
strut is being disassembled.
Page 2 of 34
,Question 5
Tech A says that vehicle ride height is measured between the ground and the rocker
panel. Tech B says that ride height is measured between suspension components.
Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. neither A or B
Correct Answer
C. Both techs are right. Both measurements are commonly used. Consult the vehicle
service manual for specs and measuring locations.
Question 6
When the suspension is worked up and down on a vehicle equipped with a
Macpherson strut type suspension, The camber spec changes more on one side than
the other. Tech A says that camber can't be adjusted on a Macpherson Strut. Tech B
says that the strut on the side that camber changes the most may be bent. Who is
right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A or B
Correct Answer
B. While some MacPherson strut assemblies do not allow camber or caster
adjustments, many vehicles do have eccentrics or slotted mounting holes to provide
adjustment. An abnormal change in camber normally indicates a bent strut.
Page 3 of 34
, Question 7
Which of the following causes for ball joint replacement could also require steering
knuckle replacement?
A. Torn dust boot
B. worn ball and socket
C. wear indicator below surface
D. Broken ballstud
Correct Answer
D. If the ballstud has broken, it is possible that the tapered hole in the steering
knuckle has become distorted. You can check this by trying the new balljoint stud in
the hole: if there is any free-play or if the new tapered stud can rock in the hole, the
hole is rounded out. If this has occurred, the steering knuckle must be replaced.
Question 8
During a road test, a customer's car nose dives badly during braking, and also has a
vibration and seems to "float" at highway speeds. When the vehicle is inspected, the
tread on several tires appears choppy and scalloped, but the suspension components
appear OK. Tech A says the symptoms are caused by worn shock absorbers. Tech B
says new tires and an alignment will correct the problem. Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A and B
Correct Answer
A. Even if shock absorbers show no signs of physical damage, they can still be worn
out. Shocks wear gradually and should be replaced at regular intervals. the
symptoms described are typical of work shocks. the vibration is caused by the
choppy, scalloped tire tread wear, but if is worn shocks that have caused that wear.
The worn shocks allow the wheels to bounce excessively, causing the tires to scrub
against the road surface instead of roll, resulting in the tread deformities. Tech B is
wrong because an alignment will not cure these symptoms, and without new
shocks, the new tires will only wear in the same manner.
Page 4 of 34
Answers
Question 1
Shock absorbers are being installed in the rear of a rear wheel driver solid axle vehicle
with coil springs. Tech A says the axle must be supported before the shocks are
removed. Tech B says that the coil springs must be compressed with a spring
compressor. Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. both A and B
D. Neither A or B
Correct Answer
A. in this suspension design, the shocks are under tension from the coil spring when
the vehicle is raised and the suspension is at full rebound, therefore the axle must
be supported before the shocks are removed. It is not necessary to compress the
coil springs to remove the shocks.
Question 2
A vehicle equipped with power steering exhibits excessive steering effort. All hydraulic
system specs are correct and the alignment is within specs. Tech A says that this
condition may be caused by corrosion in the steering linkage ball studs. Tech B says
that the intermediate shaft U joints could be binding. Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither Tech
Correct Answer
C. Both techs are right. Worn dust boots on ball studs can allow contamination and
rusting of ball studs in their sockets. However, some vehicles have an intermediate
shaft connecting the steering column with the gear. The U-joints on this shaft are
subject to rust and binding.
Page 1 of 34
,Question 3
A driver says that the front end of his car vibrates up and down while traveling at
most road speeds. Tech A says that too much runout of the front wheels could be the
cause. Tech B says that a static out of balance of the front wheels could be the cause.
Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A or B
Correct Answer
C. Both Techs are right. Too much runout or static out of balance in the front wheels
will cause a vibration
Question 4
The ball joints on a Macpherson strut- type suspension are being replaced. Tech A
says that coil spring compressor should be installed before separating the control arm
and the spindle. Tech B says that the wheel alignment should be checked after the ball
joints have been replaced. Who is right?
A. tech A Only
B. Tech B Only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither
Correct Answer
B. The wheel alignment should be checked after the ball joint (or any suspension
part) is replaced. It is not necessary to install a coil spring compressor prior to
separating the control arm and the spindle because the MacPhearson strut
assembly contains a spring. However, a spring compressor should be used if the
strut is being disassembled.
Page 2 of 34
,Question 5
Tech A says that vehicle ride height is measured between the ground and the rocker
panel. Tech B says that ride height is measured between suspension components.
Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. neither A or B
Correct Answer
C. Both techs are right. Both measurements are commonly used. Consult the vehicle
service manual for specs and measuring locations.
Question 6
When the suspension is worked up and down on a vehicle equipped with a
Macpherson strut type suspension, The camber spec changes more on one side than
the other. Tech A says that camber can't be adjusted on a Macpherson Strut. Tech B
says that the strut on the side that camber changes the most may be bent. Who is
right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A or B
Correct Answer
B. While some MacPherson strut assemblies do not allow camber or caster
adjustments, many vehicles do have eccentrics or slotted mounting holes to provide
adjustment. An abnormal change in camber normally indicates a bent strut.
Page 3 of 34
, Question 7
Which of the following causes for ball joint replacement could also require steering
knuckle replacement?
A. Torn dust boot
B. worn ball and socket
C. wear indicator below surface
D. Broken ballstud
Correct Answer
D. If the ballstud has broken, it is possible that the tapered hole in the steering
knuckle has become distorted. You can check this by trying the new balljoint stud in
the hole: if there is any free-play or if the new tapered stud can rock in the hole, the
hole is rounded out. If this has occurred, the steering knuckle must be replaced.
Question 8
During a road test, a customer's car nose dives badly during braking, and also has a
vibration and seems to "float" at highway speeds. When the vehicle is inspected, the
tread on several tires appears choppy and scalloped, but the suspension components
appear OK. Tech A says the symptoms are caused by worn shock absorbers. Tech B
says new tires and an alignment will correct the problem. Who is right?
A. Tech A only
B. Tech B only
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A and B
Correct Answer
A. Even if shock absorbers show no signs of physical damage, they can still be worn
out. Shocks wear gradually and should be replaced at regular intervals. the
symptoms described are typical of work shocks. the vibration is caused by the
choppy, scalloped tire tread wear, but if is worn shocks that have caused that wear.
The worn shocks allow the wheels to bounce excessively, causing the tires to scrub
against the road surface instead of roll, resulting in the tread deformities. Tech B is
wrong because an alignment will not cure these symptoms, and without new
shocks, the new tires will only wear in the same manner.
Page 4 of 34
