Chabot College
Fall 2005
Course Outline for Automotive Technology 66
AUTOMOTIVE STEERING, SUSPENSION, and ALIGNMENT SYSTEMS
Catalog Description:
66 - Automotive Steering, Suspension and Alignment Systems
(May be repeated three times)
3 units
Diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of modern automotive steering, suspension and
alignment systems. Includes theory of operation, the study of common automotive steering and
suspension systems, wheel alignment principles, methods of diagnosis, adjustment and repair,
suspension service equipment. Prerequisite: Automotive Technology 50 (may be taken
concurrently) or equivalent, Strongly Recommended: Automotive Technology 65, Industrial
Technology 74 (may be taken concurrently). 1.5 hours lecture, 5 hours laboratory.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 26.25, laboratory 87.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course, the student should be able to:
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recognize unsafe working conditions and practices;
use common automotive shop equipment safely;
identify and recognize common automotive tools and equipment;
identify fasteners;
demonstrate proper procedures to repair a broken fastener and/or repair threads;
discuss automotive engine fundamentals;
perform engine vacuum tests;
perform cylinder compression tests;
perform cylinder leakage tests;
perform oil pressure tests;
perform oil and filter change;
assess and use service information;
demonstrate proper use of metric and standard micrometers;
demonstrate proper use of an analog or digital volt/ohmmeter;
select the appropriate automotive fluid for the selected application;
use appropriate methods for hazardous waste handling and disposal;
discuss potential areas of employment in the automotive industry.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. identify and interpret suspension and steering concern, and determine necessary action;
2. disable and enable supplemental restraint system (SRS);
3. remove and replace steering wheel, center/time supplemental restraint system (SRS) coil
(clock spring);
4. diagnose steering column noises, looseness, and binding concerns (including tilt
mechanisms) and determine necessary action;
5. inspect steering shaft universal-joint(s), flexible coupling(s), collapsible column, lock cylinder
mechanism, and steering wheel, and perform necessary action;
6. remove and replace manual or power rack and pinion steering gear, and inspect mounting
bushings and brackets;
7. inspect and replace manual or power rack and pinion steering gear inner and outer tie rod
ends (sockets) and bellows boots;
8. inspect power steering fluid levels and condition, flush, fill, and bleed power steering system;
Chabot College
Course Outline for Automotive Technology 66, Page 2
Fall 2005
9. diagnose power steering fluid leakage, inspect and replace power steering hoses and fittings;
10. remove, inspect, replace, and adjust power steering pump belt;
11. inspect and replace pitman arm, relay (centerlink/intermediate) rod, idler arm and mountings,
and steering linkage damper;
12. inspect, replace, and adjust tie rod ends (sockets), tie rod sleeves, and clamps;
13. diagnose short and long arm and strut suspension system noises, body sway, and uneven
riding height concerns, and determine necessary action;
14. remove, inspect and install strut rods and bushings, upper and/or lower ball joints, steering
knuckle assemblies, short/long arm coil springs and insulators;
15. remove, inspect, and install stabilizer bar bushings, brackets, transverse links, control arms,
bushings, mounts and links;
16. remove, inspect, and install strut cartridge or assembly, strut coil spring, insulators
(silencers), and upper strut bearing mount, and shock absorbers;
17. lubricate suspension and steering systems;
18. remove, inspect, and service or replace front and rear wheel bearings;
19. differentiate between steering and suspension concerns using principles of steering geometry
(caster, camber, toe, SAI (Steering Axis Inclination);
20. diagnose vehicle wander, drift, pull, hard steering, bump steer, memory steer, torque steer,
and steering return concerns, and determine necessary action;
21. perform pre-alignment inspection, measure vehicle riding height, and determine necessary
action;
22. check and adjust front and rear wheel camber, caster, and toe, center steering wheel, check
toe-out-on-turns, SAI and included angle, and rear wheel thrust angle;
23. inspect and diagnose tire wear patterns, wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, noise, tire pull (lead)
problems check and determine necessary action;
24. rotate and balance wheel and tire assemblies and adjust air pressure according to
manufacturer’s recommendations;
25. measure wheel, tire, axle, and hub runout, and determine necessary action;
26. dismount, inspect, repair, and remount tire on wheel, balance assembly, reinstall wheel, and
torque lug nuts;
27. test and diagnose components of electronically controlled suspension systems using a scan
tool, and determine necessary action.
Course Content:
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Automotive safety and shop practices
Proper care and manipulation of basic hand and specialty tools
Front and rear suspension types, fundamentals, operating, inspection and service procedures
Wheel and tire fundamentals, operating, inspection and service procedures
Wheel bearings, theory, inspection and service procedures
Springs, struts, and shock absorber fundamentals, operating and service procedures
Steering system types, steering gears, manual and power assisted, fundamentals, inspection
and service procedures
Wheel alignment fundamentals, angles, inspection and service procedures
Laboratory practice in the inspection, diagnosis, adjustment and repair of automotive steering
and suspension systems
Noise, vibration, harshness, electronic steering suspension fundamentals and diagnosis
Hazardous waste handling
Chabot College
Course Outline for Automotive Technology 66, Page 3
Fall 2005
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture/discussion
Laboratory
Guest speakers
Field trips
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Read chapter titled “Wheel Alignment Principles”
b. Perform pre-alignment inspection and complete laboratory worksheet
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Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Class participation
b. Performance of laboratory task lists and projects
c. Homework assignments
d. Quizzes
e. Midterm exam
f. Final exam
Textbook(s) Typical:
Automotive Suspension and Steering Systems, Tom Birch, Delmar Learning Publishers, 2003
Special Student Materials:
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Safety glasses
Shop/safety clothing
RJ 09/2004
AT 66 course outline