Suspension System Diagnosis Retake (8/23/2026)

Technician A says that the setup shown is used to measure the ball joint for excessive axial play. Technician B says that the setup shown is used to inspect the control arm bushing for excessive play. Who is right?

A Only

The rear of a sport utility vehicle is sagging. Which is the LEAST LIKELY cause?

Leaking shock absorbers

Which of these suspension systems is identified in the illustration shown?

Multi-link independent rear suspension

The steering wheel is slow to auto-return to center after making a turn. Technician A says that a binding ball joint could be the cause. Technician B says that an overtightened power steering pump belt could be the cause. Who is right?

A only

The springs on a vehicle with a MacPherson strut suspension are being replaced. Technician A says that a spring compressor must be used. Technician B says that an alignment must be performed after replacement of the springs. Who is right?

Both A and B

Technician A says a vehicle with torsion bar suspension can be adjusted to repair ride height. Technician B says to take measurements before and after adjustments are performed. Who is correct?

Both A and B

Even at low speeds, a vehicle leans and has excessive body sway when making a turn. Which of the following is MOST likely causing this condition?

Worn stabilizer bar bushings

A loud clunking noise comes from a vehicle's front end during braking and acceleration. This could be caused by:

worn control arm bushings

A solid clunk is felt and heard when going over bumps. Which of these could be the cause?

Worn front strut mounts

Technician A says that the illustrated suspension is a modified strut type. Technician B says that in the illustrated suspension, the lower ball joint is a load carrying ball joint. Who is right?

Both A and B

Technician A says that worn springs can affect ride height. Technician B says that worn stabilizer bushings can affect ride height. Who is right?

A only

Technician A says that linear-rate coil springs have equal spacing between the coils. Technician B says that a variable-rate spring may have unequally spaced coils. Who is right?

Both A and B

When replacing the front MacPherson struts on a vehicle, a technician should also:

perform a wheel alignment

The measurement of how much weight it takes to compress a spring is called:

spring rate

The tapered hole indicated by the X in the illustration shown is excessively worn. Which of these is the correct repair?

Replace the steering knuckle

Technician A says that faulty shock absorbers can cause rebound bumpers to be damaged. Technician B says that faulty shock absorbers can cause premature spring failure. Who is right?

Both A and B

The lower control arm is being removed on the suspension system shown. Technician A says that the coil spring must be compressed prior to removal. Technician B says that the upper control arm must be removed prior to removal. Who is correct?

Neither A nor B

The ride (curb) height of a vehicles front end is 3" below manufacturers specifications. Technician A says that this could cause tire wear problems. Technician B says that this could cause vehicle handling problems. Who is correct?

Both A and B

Technician A says that vehicles equipped with front MacPherson strut suspension have upper ball joints. Technician B says that vehicle equipped with front MacPherson strut suspension have lower ball joints. Who is right?

Both A and B

A pickup truck with a solid rear drive axle has a broken shock absorber mount. Which of these could be the cause?

A seized shock absorber

A MacPherson strut replaces which of these short-long arm suspension system components?

Upper control arm

A vehicles ride (curb) height is found to be below manufacturers specifications. This could be caused by a bad:

spring

Technician A says that a MacPherson strut suspension system is lighter than a short/long arm (SLA) suspension system. Technician B says that a MacPherson strut suspension system allows more room in the engine compartment than a short/long arm (SLA) suspension system. Who is right?

Both A and B

The rear suspension rides lower than specifications on a vehicle equipped with 4-wheel air suspension. The front suspension is at normal ride height. Technician A says that a failed compressor could be the cause. Technician B says that a broken height position sensor could be the cause. Who is correct?

B only

During a pre-alignment inspection of a high mileage vehicle, a technician sees oil dripping from one of the vehicle's front shock absorbers. The technician should:

replace both front shock absorbers and coil springs