I. General Information

1. Course Title:
A4 Steering & Suspension

2. Course Prefix & Number:
AUTM 1104

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 4

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 6

4. Course Description:

This course teaches suspension systems using leaf springs, coil springs, MacPherson struts, torsion bars and wheel balance. It also covers the principles of operation, disassembly, checks and adjustments of power and manual steering gears, and manual and power rack and pinion systems. Also teaches the procedures required for checking and adjusting wheel alignment. This course provides a minimum of 100 clock hours of the 95 required NATEF clock hours.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Northwest Community College, AMST 1115 Alignment and Suspension, 3 credits
St. Cloud Community College, AUTO 1508 Automotive Wheel Alignment, 4 credits

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Automotive Technology, Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Determine what movements are necessary to the chassis to perform a four wheel alignment.
Utilize appropriate technology	Diagnose vehicle wander, drift, pull.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Understand alignment angles;
• Inspect, replace, and adjust tie rod ends (sockets), tie rod sleeves, and clamps;
• Remove, inspect, and install MacPherson strut cartridge or assembly, strut coil spring, insulators (silencers), and upper strut bearing mount;
• Perform pre-alignment inspection; perform necessary action;
• Check and adjust front wheel toe; adjust as needed;
• Diagnose tire pull (lead) problem; determine necessary action;
• Determine proper power steering fluid type; inspect fluid level and condition;
• Remove and install power steering pump;
• Remove, inspect, and service front and rear wheel bearings;
• Prepare vehicle for wheel alignment on the alignment rack;
• Perform four wheel alignment by checking and adjusting front and rear wheel caster, camber and toe as required, center steering wheel;
• Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, and noise; determine necessary action; and
• Inspect, diagnose, and calibrate tire pressure monitoring system.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Suspension Systems and Components
• Front suspension components and operation
• Rear suspension components and operation
• Electronic suspension systems components and operation
2. Steering
• Conventional steering gears
• Rack and pinion steering gears
• Steering linkages
• Power assisted steering
• Electric power steering
• Front steer vs. rear steer
3. Wheel Alignment
• Steering angles
• Pre-alignment checks
• Measuring alignment angles
4. Tires and Wheels
• Wheel types and identification
• Tire sizes and construction
• Tire ratings
• Tire pressure monitoring systems
• Types of wheel bearings
5. Bearing and Shafts
• Types of wheel bearings and seals along with recommended service procedures
• Types of drive shafts and service recommended service procedures

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Suspension
• Front suspension service
• Rear suspension service
• Electronic Suspension service
2. Steering
• Steering linkage diagnosis and replacement
• Power steering diagnosis and replacement
• Perform steering linage adjustments
• Test for bent parts in steering linkage
3. Wheel Alignment
• Perform undercar steering and suspension checks
• Perform rear wheel drive alignment
• Perform front wheel drive alignment
• Center steering wheel
4. Tires and Wheels
• Balance tires
• Rotate tires
• Remove and replace tires and rims
• Calibrate and test tire pressure monitoring system
5. Bearing and Shafts
• Diagnosis and replacement of wheel bearings
• Adjust wheel bearings
• Diagnosis and replacement of drive shafts and components