Name:
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Date:
1. What connects a Pitman arm to the steering control arm?
a.
drag link
b.
tie-rod
c.
steering knuckle
d.
Ackerman arm
2. What device does a steering knuckle pivot on?
a.
Pitman arm
b.
kingpin
c.
Ackerman arm
d.
steering control arm
b
3. What size steering wheel is most commonly used on heavy-duty trucks?
a.
18-inches (46 cm)
b.
20-inches (50 cm)
c.
22-inches (56 cm)
d.
24-inches (60 cm)
4. Technician A says that a kingpin can be straight. Technician B says that a kingpin can be tapered. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
5. What is used to retain a straight kingpin in a steering knuckle assembly?
a.
draw key
b.
snap rings
c.
cotter pins
d.
bearing caps
6. How many Ackerman arms would you find on a typical single axle truck steering system?
a.
one
b.
two
c.
three
d.
four
b
7. What connects a pair of Ackerman arms on a truck steering system?
a.
drag link
b.
Pitman arm
c.
steering column
d.
tie-rod assembly
d
8. Which of the following components defines steering toe-out on turns?
a.
Pitman arm
b.
Ackerman geometry
c.
drag link
d.
steering control arm
b
9. Technician A says that a cross tube assembly connects a pair of Ackerman arms. Technician B says that tie rod ends
have ball sockets built into them. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
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10. Technician A says that to adjust steering toe, one of the crosstube tie-rod ends must be removed from an Ackerman
arm so that it can be rotated. Technician B says that a tie-rod crosstube has left-hand threads on one side, and right-hand
threads on the other. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
b
11. If you increase the length of a tie rod on a typical heavy-duty truck steering system, what happens to the toe setting?
a.
toe-out increases
b.
toe-in decreases
c.
toe-in increases
d.
toe remains neutral
12. Technician A says that objective of a toe specification in commercial truck steering systems is achieve zero toe when
the truck is fully loaded and running at highway speeds. Technician B says that when setting toe on the shop floor on a
truck equipped with radial tires, it is common to set it either at zero or with a fractional toe-in. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
13. When checking out the front end geometry of a heavy duty truck, which of the following steps should be performed
FIRST?
a.
neutralize suspension by driving unit back and forth in a straight line
b.
jack the front end up and scribe the front tires
c.
disconnect the drag link
d.
check the over-center adjustment of the steering gear
14. When a truck equipped with radial steering tires specifies a toe-in, which of the following specifications is more
likely?
a.
1/16-inch (1.5 mm)
b.
1/8-inch (3 mm)
c.
3/16-inch (4.5 mm)
d.
1/4-inch (6 mm)
15. When the front tires of a truck both lean outward slightly at the top, which of the following is indicated?
a.
positive camber
b.
negative camber
c.
positive caster
d.
negative caster
16. A truck is placed on alignment turntables with the wheels in the straight ahead position. After removing the pins and
zeroing the protractor scales, the wheels are turned all the way left until they contact the turn stop. How will the protractor
scale read?
a.
right turn angle exceeds the left
b.
left turn angle exceeds the right
c.
both turn angles should be within 1-degree
b
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17. What two steering components does an Ackerman arm connect?
a.
steering knuckle and steering control arm
b.
drag link and Pitman arm
c.
steering knuckle and tie-rod end
d.
drag link and tie-rod end
d
18. How is should steering knuckle vertical clearance be adjusted?
a.
adding or subtracting shims
b.
selecting the correct draw key
c.
using the appropriate bushings
d.
adjusting a stop bolt and jam nut
19. Which of the following types of manual steering gears are used on heavy-duty trucks?
a.
worm and roller
b.
rack and pinion
c.
recirculating ball
d.
both A and C
d
20. Which of the following is the maximum permitted freeplay specification for a 22-inch steering wheel on a truck?
a.
1.75 inches (4.5 cm)
b.
2.20 inches (5.6 cm)
c.
2.50 inches (6.4 cm)
d.
2.75 inches (7.0 cm)
d
21. When troubleshooting a hard steering problem on a highway tractor that occurs only when towing a loaded trailer,
which of the following should be checked out first?
a.
trailer suspension
b.
fifth wheel lubrication
c.
tractor rear suspension
d.
tractor kingpin lubrication
b
22. Higher than specified toe-in can cause which of the following tire wear patterns?
a.
accelerated wear to both the inside and outside shoulders of the tread
b.
scuffing and feather-edge wear across the width of the tread
c.
accelerated wear and scuffing at the center of the tread
d.
cupped and uneven wear across inside treads
b
23. Which of the following alignment factors have the potential to cause the greatest amount of tire wear?
a.
toe
b.
camber
c.
caster
d.
KPI
24. Which of the following statements regarding toe adjustment is true?
a.
do not adjust until camber and caster are known to be correct
b.
neutralize the suspension before adjusting
c.
make toe measurements at axle spindle height
Name:
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d.
all of the above
d
25. After adjusting tie-rod ends, which of the following precautions should be observed when tightening the clamps?
a.
ensure that the tie-rod end threads extend into the tie–rod beyond the split slot
b.
ensure the clamps and fasteners do not interfere with other components during a full turn
c.
ensure that there is a space between the clamp and the end of the crosstube
d.
all of the above
d
26. Which of the following accurately describes caster as it applies to heavy-duty trucks?
a.
a directional stability angle
b.
front end is set with some positive caster
c.
tandem-drive trucks need less positive caster than single drive axle trucks
d.
all of the above
d
27. When the wheels are turned to full lock on a truck with 3 degrees of positive caster, which of the following should be
observed?
a.
front bumper on one side should raise slightly and the other side should lower
b.
steering wheel should attempt to return to straight ahead when released
c.
both A and B are correct
d.
neither A nor B are correct
28. A truck that is being measured for alignment is determined to have a positive frame angle of 2 degrees and the caster
measurement is 5 degrees positive. What is the true caster angle?
a.
7 degrees
b.
5 degrees
c.
3 degrees
d.
2 degrees
29. Which of the following is the least likely complaint on a truck set with excessive positive caster?
a.
hard steering
b.
wandering
c.
low speed shimmy
d.
darting
b
30. Which of the following is NOT good practice when adjusting for positive caster?
a.
more positive caster should be set on the left side
b.
there should be no more than 1/2 degree difference from left to right
c.
the thickest part of the caster shim goes toward the rear
d.
caster readings must factor for any frame angle off level
31. A truck front-end measures excessive negative camber on the left, and specified camber on the right. Which of the
following could result from this condition?
Name:
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a.
left tire wears excessively on the inside shoulder
b.
left tire wears excessively on the outside shoulder
c.
truck will tend to lead to the right
d.
both A and C
d
32. What is the directional tracking of one axle in relation to other axles on a multi-axle vehicle known as?
a.
toe-out
b.
thrustline
c.
trackline
d.
caster
b
33. When a vehicle is driven in the straight-ahead position and the thrustline of the axles do not all track perpendicular to
the vehicle, which of the following conditions can result?
a.
dog-tracking
b.
suspension damage
c.
tire damage
d.
all of the above
d
34. When using a light beam alignment system to check axle tracking on a highway semi-trailer, how should the kingpin
flag assembly be mounted to the trailer?
a.
on the kingpin perpendicular to the vehicle centerline
b.
on the kingpin aligned longitudinally to the vehicle centerline
c.
on axle extensions
d.
clamped to the foremost part of the upper coupler plate
35. Technician A says that manual steering gear should be filled with a 75W gear oil for operations in northern winter
conditions. Technician B says that use of 90W gear oil in a manual steering gear can produce hard steering in certain
conditions. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
36. Technician A says that all steering defects should be considered OOS and the vehicle deadlined until the conditioned
is repaired. Technician B says that excessive toe-in may cause some accelerated tire wear but should not require a vehicle
to be OOS deadlined. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
37. Technician A says that under-inflated steering tires while producing harder steering actually increases driver control in
emergency maneuvers. Technician B says that over-inflated tires are dangerous because the road-contact footprint is
reduced, decreasing driver control. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
b
Name:
Class:
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38. What measuring tool should be used to check kingpin upper and lower bushing freeplay?
a.
thickness gauges
b.
dial indicator
c.
internal micrometer
d.
telescoping gauges and micrometer
39. What is the tool of choice required to remove a tie-rod end ball socket from an Ackerman arm?
a.
pickle fork
b.
slide hammer
c.
8 lb sledge and chisel
d.
oxy-acetylene torch
40. Technician A says that when inspecting kingpins minor abrasive wear is not significant if it has not penetrated the
hard-surfacing. Technician B says that after installation, kingpin bushings should be broached into their bores. Who is
correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
41. Technician A says that many of today’s unitized steering axles are designed to run maintenance-free for the life of the
axle. Technician B says that many types of unitized steering axles are lubed for life with synthetic grease and never
require additional lube. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
42. In a truck manual steering gear, which of the following components could be referred to as the driven gear
component?
a.
input shaft
b.
steering column
c.
worm gear
d.
sector shaft
43. Which of the following best describes how a Pitman shaft connects to the output or sector shaft of a steering gear?
a.
splines and bolt-secured clamp
b.
ball socket and cotter pin
c.
jam nut and cotter pin
d.
wedged shaft, nut, and cotter pin
44. What is the reason for the hourglass shape that is used on the worm gear on some manual steering gear?
a.
increases ratio during over-center operation
b.
increases ratio as steering cuts into a turn
c.
ensures less steering effort required for straight-ahead driving
d.
thicker teeth are required for greater force required to turn the vehicle
45. When you remove shims acting on a worm gear, which of the following is likely to result?
a.
worm gear endplay increases
b.
worm gear preload decreases
c.
worm gear preload increases
d.
sector shaft endplay decreases
Name:
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46. Technician A says that a Pitman arm is usually timed to a sector shaft by means of center alignment marks. Technician
B says that to center an off-center steering wheel, set the steering tires in the straight-ahead position, remove the Pitman
arm, center the steering wheel, then reconnect the Pitman arm. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
47. Technician A says that power steering systems on heavy-duty highway trucks can be described as hydrostatic systems.
Technician B says that all current highway truck power steering systems default to manual operation in the event of a loss
of hydraulic power. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
48. If a power steering gear shifts position on its mounting point on the frame, which of the following can be affected?
a.
hard steering
b.
binding steering
c.
erratic response
d.
all of the above
49. What are typical peak pressures on a highway truck, hydraulic steering-assist system?
a.
120 psi (8 bar)
b.
800 psi (55 bar)
c.
1500 psi (103 bar)
d.
3000 psi (207 bar)
50. Which of the following is required in a power steering analyzer?
a.
flow meter
b.
flow meter and pressure gauge
c.
flow meter, pressure gauge, and gate valve
d.
flow meter, pressure gauge, gate valve, and thermometer
51. Technician A says that the best way to warm power steering fluid to operating temperature is to start the engine and
then cycle the steering from full lock to full lock until the temperature exceeds 140 degrees. Technician A says that the
maximum reading on a power steering flow meter will be observed when the gate valve is almost fully closed. Who is
correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
52. Technician A says that an advantage of a power steering analyzer is that all of the system checks can be performed
without running the engine. Technician B says that to check the system relief valve setting using a power steering
analyzer, the flow control valve should be choked down. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
Name:
Class:
Date:
53. Technician A says that air power steering assist systems are usually retrofit to truck manual steering systems.
Technician B says that air power steering assist systems are very rare on modern trucks. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B
54. When is the most steering effort require of a truck driver?
a.
loaded and parking
b.
unloaded at highway speeds
c.
loaded at highway speeds
d.
loaded and overtaking another truck
55. Technician A says that when computer-controlled, electronically variable steering (EVS) is used on current trucks, it
must have a full redundancy to mechanical operation. Technician B says that an advantage of EVS is that hydraulic-assist
pressure can be managed independently from engine speed. Who is correct?
a.
Technician A only
b.
Technician B only
c.
Both A and B
d.
Neither A nor B