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Course Syllabus

AUTO 1401 Automotive Suspension and Steering

  • Division: Business and Applied Tech
  • Department: Transportation Technology
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Clock/Hour Requirements: 30
  • Corequisites: AUTO 1405
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2020
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2025
  • End Semester: Spring 2026
  • Optimum Class Size: 15
  • Maximum Class Size: 25

Course Description

This course covers the repair and adjustment of suspension and steering systems. Students study steering gears, rack and pinion, conventional and MacPherson struts, alignment angles, and alignment with computerized four-wheel alignment fixture. This lecture class AUTO 1401 must be taken concurrently with the lab AUTO 1405.

Justification

This course is required for Automotive Service Excellence (A.S.E.) certification and ASE Education Foundation accreditation. It is approved by the program advisory committee. It is a core course for the Automotive Technology AAS degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to safely perform the tasks listed in the current edition of the ASE Education Foundation Certification and Accreditation for Automobile Training Programs.
  2. Students will gain a basic knowledge of steering angles; i.e., Caster, Camber, Toe, etc.
  3. Students will be able recognize and use the appropriate specialized tools and equipment to diagnose and repair suspension and steering systems.
  4. Students learn the procedures to properly complete a 4-wheel alignment on a vehicle, taking measurements and making adjustments.

Course Content

Course specific safety
History and evolution of automotive suspension systems
Wheel bearing types
Tire and wheel design and repair
Four-wheel drive front end systems
Suspension electrical and electronic system design and operation
Four-wheel alignment
Spring types
Shock absorber and strut design types
Suspension angles; i.e. camber, caster, and toe.