AUTO 1405 Automotive Suspension and Steering Lab
- Division: Business and Applied Tech
- Department: Transportation Technology
- Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 0; Lab: 6
- Clock/Hour Requirements: 90
- Corequisites: Auto 1401
- 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 gives students the hands-on lab experience for AUTO 1401. Students study steering gears, rack and pinion, conventional and MacPherson struts, alignment angles, and alignment with computerized four-wheel alignment fixture. This lab class AUTO 1405 must be taken concurrently with the lecture AUTO 1401.
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
- Students will safely perform the tasks listed in the current edition of ASE Education Foundation Certification and Accreditation for Automobile Training Programs.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of steering angles; i.e., Caster, Camber, Toe, etc.
- Students will use the appropriate specialized tools and equipment to diagnose and repair steering and suspension systems.
- Students will properly complete a 4-wheel alignment on a vehicle, taking measurements and making adjustments.
- Students will maintain a reasonably clean work environment.
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.
Key Performance Indicators: Students will be graded on the completion of their ASE Education Foundation task list through, demonstration, the completion of lab sheets, participation, and shop clean up.ASE task list, demonstration, and lab sheets 80 to 90%Participation 0 to 20%Shop Clean up 5 to 20%Representative Text and/or Supplies: Today's Technician, Automotive Suspension & Steering Systems, Mark Schnubel, Cengage Learning, current editionPedagogy Statement: This is a lab class taught in conjunction with a lecture class, AUTO 1401. Students will be taught using demonstration, supervised lab assignments, and live work in the Automotive Repair Shop with guidance and assistance from the instructors.Instructional Mediums: Lab