Course Outline for Automotive Technology 204
Automotive Suspension and Steering

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 03/03/2021
Catalog Description:

ATEC 204 - Automotive Suspension and Steering

117.00 Hours

May be repeated 99 time(s)
Automotive Suspension and Steering fundamentals including: Diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of modern automotive steering, suspension, supplemental restraint, tire pressure monitoring, and alignment systems, theory of operation, common automotive steering and suspension systems, wheel alignment principles, methods of diagnosis, adjustment and repair, suspension service equipment. This course is free and students may repeat this course until mastery of the skills is met. This course is a noncredit course that is equivalent to the ATEC credit course of the same title. Both options cover the same content and students will be enrolled in the same class at the same time. If a student chooses to move from noncredit to credit courses, please meet with ATEC faculty to discuss assessing equivalency and credit by exam. This course is part of a Certificate of Completion. Available Certificates can be found in the Chabot College Catalog.
Prerequisite: ATEC 250 or ATEC 50 (same as APAU 9724) or equivalent (may be taken concurrently)
0948.00 - Automotive Technology*
Pass/No Pass/Satisfactory Progress
Type Hours
Lecture 27.00
Laboratory 90.00
Total 117.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this 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;
  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. inspection and calibration of tire pressure monitoring systems.
Course Content:

Course Content (Lecture)

  1. Automotive safety and shop practices
  2. Proper care and manipulation of basic hand and specialty tools
  3. Front and rear suspension types, fundamentals, operation, inspection and service procedures, including electronic suspension
  4. Wheel and tire fundamentals, operating, inspection and service procedures
  5. Wheel bearings, theory, inspection and service procedures
  6. Springs, struts, and shock absorber fundamentals, operating and service procedures
  7. Steering system types, steering gears, manual and power assisted, fundamentals, inspection and service procedures 
  8. Wheel alignment fundamentals, angles, inspection and service procedures 
  9. Laboratory practice in the inspection, diagnosis, adjustment and repair of automotive steering and suspension systems
  10. Noise, vibration, harshness, electronic steering suspension fundamentals and diagnosis
  11. Tire pressure monitoring
  12. Hazardous waste handling
  13. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel safety. 
  14. Hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel applicable systems awareness
  15. Soft Skills

Course Content (Laboratory)

 
  1. Demonstrate proper shop safety and working practices, including tools and equipment, and hazardous waste handling
  2. Diagnose, service, and repair suspension system components
  3. Perform tire and wheel diagnosis, service and repair
  4. Service wheel bearings
  5. Diagnose, service, and repair of steering system components
  6. Perform pre-alignment inspections
  7. Measure ride height, determine necessary action
  8. Perform 4 wheel alignments
  9. Perform tire pressure servicing and monitoring calibration
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Demonstration
  3. Guest speakers
  4. Laboratory
  5. Field Trips
  6. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Read chapter titled "Wheel Alignment Principles"
  2. Complete review quiz at the end of chapter
  1. Class Participation
  2. Laboratory exercises
  3. Homework
  4. Quizzes
  5. Midterm Examination
  6. Final Examination
  7. Practical Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. repair tire using internal patch;
  2. dismount, inspect, and remount tire on wheel; balance wheel and tire assembly (static and dynamic);
  3. perform pre-alignment inspection and measure vehicle ride height; determine necessary action.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Halderman, James (2017). Automotive Chassis Systems (7th). Pearson.
  • Safety glasses
  • Shop/safety clothing
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Automotive Suspension and Steering fundamentals including: Diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of modern automotive steering, suspension, supplemental restraint, tire pressure monitoring, and alignment systems, theory of operation, common automotive steering and suspension systems, wheel alignment principles, methods of diagnosis, adjustment and repair, suspension service equipment. This course is a noncredit course that is equivalent to the ATEC credit course of the same title. Both options cover the same content and students will be enrolled in the same class at the same time.
Prerequisite: ATEC 250 or ATEC 50 (same as APAU 9724) or equivalent (may be taken concurrently)