ASE A Series Exam Questions

Page 9 of 25

161.

A CV axle is being removed. Technician A says removing the hub nut with an impact wrench can damage the hub bearing. Technician B says a pickle-fork tool should only be used on a tie rod that is going to be replaced.

Who is correct?

  • Both A and B

  • Technician A 

  • Technician B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Both A and B

Both technicians are correct. The force from an impact wrench can damage the sensitive hub bearing. And pickle-fork tools should only be used on tie rods that are to be replaced, because they can damage the tie rod boot.

162.

Two technicians are discussing cylinder head installation. Technician A says torque-to-yield bolts can be reused. Technician B says torque-to-yield bolts are tightened to a specified torque, then turned an additional number of degrees.

Who is correct?

  • Technician B

  • Technician A

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician B

Technician B is correct: torque-to-yield bolts are tightened to a specified torque, then turned an additional number of degrees, stretching them to achieve proper clamp force. Technician A, however, is incorrect: torque-to-yield bolts can break off or fail prematurely if reused.

Always check the repair manual for head bolt specifications.

163.

A vehicle exhibits excessive body sway. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

  • Sagging springs 

  • Binding steering linkage 

  • Loose wheel bearings 

  • Excessive steering gear play

Correct answer: Sagging springs

Although the other options could cause steering problems, only sagging springs would cause body sway.

164.

Dual split master cylinders are being discussed. Technician A says a failure in the primary system will result in a brake pedal that is harder than normal. Technician B says if there is a failure in the front brake hydraulic system, the primary piston will operate normally and exert pressure on the secondary piston.

Who is correct?

  • Technician B

  • Technician A

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician B

Only technician B is correct. If there is a failure in the front brake hydraulic system, driven by the master cylinder secondary piston, the primary piston will drive the rear brakes normally, and the driver will experience poor braking performance.

If there is a failure in the rear brake hydraulic system, driven by the master cylinder primary piston, the primary piston will not build pressure to drive the secondary piston. To counteract this, the primary piston contacts the secondary piston mechanically to drive the front brakes. Typically, in the event of a primary system failure, such as a wheel cylinder leak or brake line failure, the driver will notice that the brake pedal seems lower than normal. The driver may also notice reduced braking performance.

165.

A brake booster is being replaced, and pushrod length is being measured. Technician A says if the pushrod is too short, it may apply pressure to the master cylinder even when the brake pedal is not depressed. Technician B says if the pushrod is too long, then a total loss of braking can occur.

Who is correct?

  • Technician B

  • Technician A

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician B

Only technician B is correct. If the pushrod is too long, it may apply braking force even when the pedal is not depressed. This can cause the brake pads to overheat and fade or the brake fluid to boil, either of which could lead to a total loss of braking.

166.

Most transfer cases require which type of fluid?

  • Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)

  • 80W-90 gear lube

  • 10W-30 engine oil

  • Hydraulic fluid

Correct answer: Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)

Transfer cases are usually filled with automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Some transfer cases are filled with 80W-90 gear oil. Always check the owner's manual or repair manual for transfer case fluid and additive specifications.

167.

Technician A says a relay is an electromagnetic switch that uses a moveable core. Technician B says a solenoid is an electromagnetic switch that uses a moveable arm.

Who is correct?

  • Neither A nor B

  • Technician A

  • Technician B

  • Both A and B

Correct answer: Neither A nor B

Relays and solenoids are both examples of electromagnetic switches. The difference is that relays use a moveable arm, and solenoids use a moveable core. Solenoids are also capable of handling more current than relays are.

168.

Front-wheel-drive vehicles typically use which hydraulic circuit or master cylinder design?

  • Diagonal split

  • Quick take-up

  • Dual split

  • Dual proportioning 

Correct answer: Diagonal split

The front brakes on a front-wheel-drive vehicle do about 90% of the braking. Because of this, the rear brakes would not be sufficient in the event of a front brake failure. This is why most front-wheel-drive vehicles use a diagonally split system, which can be achieved within the master cylinder or by varying brake line routing, compared to a front-rear split system, for example. With this system, if there is a failure, at least one section will still function.

169.

A technician notes that a grinding noise can be heard with the transmission in neutral and the clutch released. Which is the most likely cause?

  • Transmission input shaft bearing

  • Lack of lubrication at the fork and pivot

  • Worn throwout bearing

  • Worn pilot bearing

Correct answer: Transmission input shaft bearing

The transmission input shaft bearing is the most likely cause because none of the other parts in this question would be in motion or under load in the conditions described.

Lack of lubrication at the clutch fork and pivot would cause a chirping noise that went away when the clutch was depressed. A worn throwout bearing would get louder as the clutch was depressed. The pilot bearing would cause a squealing noise when the clutch was disengaged; the pilot bearing and input shaft spin together when the clutch is engaged.

170.

Most rear HVAC systems contain all of the following except:

  • A second compressor

  • A second blower motor

  • A second evaporator 

  • A second heater core

Correct answer: A second compressor

Vehicles equipped with rear HVAC usually use a larger compressor, but they do not use a second one. They do, however, use a second blower motor, a second evaporator, and a second heater core.

171.

A vehicle pulls to one side when braking. Of the conditions listed, what is the most likely cause?

  • Defective strut rod bushing 

  • Weak coil spring

  • Bent steering knuckle 

  • Worn stabilizer bar link 

Correct answer: Defective strut rod bushing

Typical symptoms of a defective strut rod bushing include noise and a pull toward one side while braking.

A weak coil spring will usually result in excessive tire wear and bottoming out over bumps. Excessive tire wear is usually the first sign of a bent steering knuckle. The most common symptom of a worn stabilizer bar link is noise when turning or going over bumps.

172.

A rebound test is being performed. During the test, the steering wheel moves while the vehicle is being bounced.

All of the following could be the cause except:

  • A worn strut 

  • A bent tie rod 

  • A damaged steering rack

  • A damaged control arm 

Correct answer: A worn strut

If the steering wheel moves during a rebound test, suspect a bent control arm, bent steering rack, or bent tie rod. Worn struts would be indicated by lack of suspension dampening on the first rebound of the test.

173.

A limited slip differential chatters while corning. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

  • Lack of fluid additive 

  • Worn spider gears

  • Worn clutch packs 

  • Broken ring gear

Correct answer: Lack of fluid additive

Limited slip differentials usually use an additive that prevents chattering while corning. Replacing the fluid and adding the correct additive will usually solve this problem.

174.

What part of the tire protects the body plies and provides self-sealing of small punctures?

  • Inner liner

  • Tread

  • Sidewall

  • Bead

Correct answer: Inner liner

The inner liner is a soft rubber lining that protects the body plies and promotes self-healing.

The tread contacts the ground for traction. The sidewall is the exterior portion of the tire between the tread and the wheel, and the bead is the foundation of the tire where it grips the inside of the rim.

175.

What is the acceptable amount of tie rod end play?

  • 0.00"

  • 0.12"

  • 0.015"

  • 0.25"

Correct answer: 0.00"

Tie rod end ball-and-socket joints allow suspension travel and steering. Tie rod ends rotate in their sockets, so end play or clearance should be zero.

176.

Technician A says the wave form or graph from an oscilloscope typically displays in voltage. Technician B says an oscilloscope detects intermittent issues that would be difficult to detect with a volt meter.

Who is correct?

  • Both A and B

  • Technician A

  • Technician B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Both A and B

Both technicians are correct. The oscilloscope can detect intermittent issues that are otherwise difficult to find with a volt meter.

These readings are typically displayed in voltage and put into a wave form or graph. 

177.

Generally, what is the maximum allowable voltage drop across the power side of the starter circuit?

  • 0.50 to 1 volt

  • 0.10 to 0.20 volts 

  • 1 to 1.5 volts 

  • 1.5 to 2 volts 

Correct answer: 0.50 to 1 volt

A voltage drop test is used to determine if there is high resistance in a circuit. Generally, the maximum allowable voltage drop on the power side of the starter circuit during cranking is 0.50 volts to 1 volt.

178.

Technician A says a throttle position (TP) sensor reading of 4.24 volts means the throttle is closed. Technician B says a throttle position (TP) sensor reading of 0.50 volts means the throttle is wide open.

Who is correct?

  • Neither A nor B

  • Technician A

  • Technician B

  • Both A and B

Correct answer: Neither A nor B

Both technicians are incorrect. The throttle position sensor receives a 5-volt reference from the PCM. It then varies this voltage according to throttle position. TP voltage is proportional to throttle position. So, at wide open throttle, TP voltage should be around 4.5 volts. When the throttle is closed, TP voltage should be 0.45 volts.

179.

Technician A says diesel fuel for off-road use is dyed red. Technician B says diesel fuel for on-road use is dyed blue.

Who is correct?

  • Technician A

  • Technician B

  • Both A and B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Technician A

Only technician A is correct. Diesel fuel for on-road use is clear or green, and diesel fuel for off-road use is dyed red. This is to distinguish one type of diesel fuel from the other.

180.

Technician A says some blend doors are tested with a vacuum pump. Technician B says the blend door can be tested with a power probe.

Who is correct?

  • Both A and B

  • Technician A

  • Technician B

  • Neither A nor B

Correct answer: Both A and B

Both technicians are correct. Some blend doors are vacuum-operated and are best tested with a handheld vacuum pump. However, some blend doors are electronically controlled and can be tested with a power probe.