A driver reports excessive steering wheel free play on a Class 8 truck with an integral power steering gear. Which condition is the MOST likely cause?
Steering System
Question · Easy
Technician A says an integral power steering gear combines the steering gear and the hydraulic assist in one housing. Technician B says a linkage (external) power steering system uses a separate power cylinder mounted to the linkage. Who is correct?
Question · Medium
Chapter 1: Exam Overview & Heavy-Duty Chassis Foundations
1.1 ASE T5 Exam Specifications & Diagnostic Test Strategy
Study guide
During a power steering pressure test on a heavy truck, the technician closes the load valve momentarily and reads relief pressure. Why must the valve never be held closed for more than a few seconds?
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A heavy truck steers hard in both directions equally, but the power steering pump produces correct relief pressure. Which is the MOST likely cause?
Question · Hard
What is the primary function of the steering gear poppet (relief) adjustment in an integral heavy-truck steering gear?
A truck wanders and the driver must constantly correct steering. Inspection finds a drag link socket that moves when pried. What should the technician do?
1.2 Commercial Truck Chassis Layout & Suspension Geometry Principles
Technician A says kingpin wear can be checked by measuring vertical movement (lift) at the wheel with the axle supported. Technician B says kingpin wear is checked by horizontal movement (rock) at the top and bottom of the tire. Who is correct?
On a heavy truck steer axle, the recommended way to check tie rod (cross tube) end wear is to:
A heavy-truck integral steering gear has been adjusted and now binds at the on-center (straight-ahead) position only. What is the MOST likely cause?
What is the correct procedure for adjusting steering gear mesh (over-center / sector lash) on an integral gear?
1.3 Pre-Diagnostic Road Testing & Customer Complaint Analysis
A power steering system on a heavy truck whines and steering effort increases. Fluid in the reservoir is foamy. The MOST likely cause is:
On a truck equipped with an auxiliary (slave) steering cylinder on a heavy front axle, the cylinder's purpose is to:
A steering shaft universal joint is suspected of being worn. The BEST inspection method is to:
Technician A says a steering damper (stabilizer) reduces road shock and shimmy. Technician B says a steering damper should be replaced if it leaks or offers no resistance when stroked by hand. Who is correct?
Chapter 2: Steering Columns, Gears & Mechanical Linkages
2.1 Steering Columns, Intermediate Shafts & Universal Joints
The steering wheel is off-center (not straight) when the truck travels straight ahead, but the truck tracks correctly and toe is in spec. The correct correction is to:
Before adjusting toe on a heavy-truck steer axle, the technician should FIRST:
A power steering pump reservoir shows milky fluid on a truck with an integral cooler. The MOST likely cause is:
Steering effort is normal turning right but high turning left on a truck with an integral gear. This MOST likely indicates:
2.2 Recirculating-Ball Manual & Integral Power Steering Gears
When replacing a pitman arm on a heavy truck, the technician must:
A heavy truck exhibits steering shimmy at highway speed. Which of these is LEAST likely to be the cause?
The power steering belt on a heavy truck squeals under hard, low-speed turns. The MOST likely cause is:
Technician A says manual (non-assisted) steering gears on lighter medium trucks still require periodic lubricant level and lash checks. Technician B says a manual steering gear can be adjusted for worm bearing preload and sector mesh. Who is correct?
2.3 Steering Linkage, Pitman Arms, Drag Links & Kingpins
A heavy truck pulls toward one side and the driver fights the wheel. After confirming alignment, brakes, and tire pressures are good, the technician should next suspect:
When bleeding air from a heavy-truck integral power steering system, the recommended method is to:
On a multi-leaf front spring suspension, a broken leaf at the spring's main (master) leaf would MOST likely cause:
Suspension Frame Fifth Wheel
Technician A says an air spring (air bag) suspension uses a height control valve to maintain ride height as load changes. Technician B says incorrect ride height on an air suspension can change driveline angles and alignment. Who is correct?
Chapter 3: Hydraulic Power Steering Systems & Diagnostics
3.1 Power Steering Pumps, Pressure/Flow Testing & Flow Control Valves
A height control valve on an air-ride suspension is checked and found to never exhaust air, leaving the truck riding too high. The MOST likely cause is:
On a tandem-axle truck with a walking-beam (equalizing-beam) suspension, the primary purpose of the equalizing beam is to:
A worn equalizing-beam center bushing on a tandem suspension would MOST likely cause:
When measuring ride height on an air-suspension truck, the technician should:
3.2 Steering Gear Adjustments: Over-Center Lash, Preload & Poppets
A heavy truck has a sagging rear leaf spring on one side. Which condition is MOST likely to result?
Technician A says spring U-bolts should be retorqued after a leaf spring repair and during break-in. Technician B says U-bolts should be torqued in a crisscross pattern in stages to specification. Who is correct?
A truck frame rail shows a crack starting at a drilled hole near a crossmember bracket. The correct general repair approach is to:
Why is welding on a heat-treated truck frame rail generally restricted or prohibited unless OEM-approved?
3.3 Auxiliary Assist Cylinders, Fluid Conditioning & System Diagnostics
Loose frame fasteners (Grade 8 bolts) at a crossmember are found during inspection. The technician should:
A fifth wheel will not lock onto the trailer kingpin. After confirming proper coupling height, the FIRST thing to inspect is:
Technician A says fifth wheel pivot pins, bracket pins, and the top plate should be lubricated on a maintenance schedule. Technician B says excessive fifth wheel free play (slack) between the locking jaws and kingpin should be adjusted or repaired. Who is correct?
A correct fifth wheel lock test is performed by:
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