Maricopa Community Colleges  APT141   19952-99999 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 12/13/94
APT141 19952-99999 LEC
LAB
6 Credit(s)
0 Credit(s)
3 Period(s)
7 Period(s)
Alignment, Steering, and Suspension
Designed for beginning automotive students. Fundamental principles of steering and suspension systems. Includes two- wheel and four-wheel alignment procedures. Emphasis on diagnosis, testing, service, and rebuilding. Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
APT141   19952-99999 Alignment, Steering, and Suspension
1. Dress and work in a professionally safe manner. (I)
2. Operate hand tools, power tools, and automotive equipment, conforming to safety standards. (I)
3. Classify fires and use fire extinguishers. (I)
4. Disable supplemental restraint systems, in accordance with manufacturer's procedures. (I)
5. Explain the theory of suspension and steering of the automobile. (II)
6. Explain the construction and design characteristics of tires, and apply the correct size and load designations to the automobile. (III)
7. Diagnose, test, service, and repair tire malfunctions. (III)
8. Balance tires and wheels both on and off the vehicle. (IV)
9. Identify and describe the various types of frames used in current automobiles. (IV)
10. Inspect, diagnose, test, service, and repair suspension systems according to manufacturer's specifications and safety standards. (V)
11. Inspect, diagnose, test, service, and repair steering systems according to manufacturer's specifications and safety standards. (V)
12. Explain the interrelationship between steering angles and suspension dynamics. (VI)
13. Align an automobile's steering and suspension, using manual and computerized electronic equipment. (VI)
14. Inspect, diagnose, test, service, and repair steering gears, pumps, and columns. (VII)
15. Inspect, diagnose, test, and replace shock absorbers. (V, VIII)
16. Inspect, diagnose, test, service, and replace rear suspension systems. (IX)
17. Inspect, diagnose, test, service, and repair chassis leveling systems. (X)
18. Align automobile headlights. (XI)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
APT141   19952-99999 Alignment, Steering, and Suspension
    I. Safety
        A. Technician and customers
        B. Tools and equipment
        C. Vehicle lifting
        D. Operation of vehicle in shop
        E. Fire
        F. Electrical
        G. Air bag
        H. Anti-lock brake system
      II. Basic Theory of Operation
          A. Suspension systems
          B. Steering systems
        III. Tires and Wheels
            A. Purpose
            B. Construction and design
            C. Size and load designations
            D. Causes of failure
            E. Service
            F. Wheel bearings
          IV. Balancing
              A. Evaluating tire condition
              B. Run-out
                1. Lateral
                2. Radial
              C. Static
              D. Dynamic
            V. Frames
                A. Ladder frame
                B. X frame
                C. Perimeter frame
                D. Sub-frame
                E. Unibody
              VI. Front Suspension and Steering Linkage
                  A. Types
                  B. Suspension
                    1. Components
                    2. Functions
                  C. Steering linkage
                    1. Components
                    2. Functions
                  D. Alignment factors
                  E. Component failures and effects on alignment
                  F. Pre-alignment inspections
                VII. Relationship of Alignment and Suspension Dynamics
                    A. Angles
                    B. Dynamics
                  VIII. Steering
                      A. Manual steering gears
                      B. Power steering gears
                      C. Pumps
                      D. Steering columns
                    IX. Rear Suspensions
                        A. Theory
                        B. Types
                        C. Springs
                        D. Shocks
                      X. Chassis Leveling Systems
                          A. Rear height control
                          B. Electronic controls
                        XI. Headlight Alignment
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