Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
AUTO D062A
Course Title (CB02)
Automotive Suspension, Steering and Alignment
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Operation of automotive suspension, steering and alignment systems. Overview of maintenance, repair and troubleshooting procedures.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This CTE, CSU transferable course belongs on the Certificate of Achievement and AS degree in Automotive Chassis Technology. It is also intended to better prepare students for work in the automotive industry in the areas of suspension, steering, and alignment, as advised by our industry advisory committee.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
9.0
Maximum Credit Units
9.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours9.018.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
108.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
216.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
216.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

  • ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.
  • Elementary algebra or equivalent (or higher), or appropriate placement beyond elementary algebra

AUTO D051A and AUTO D051B

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Assignments

  1. Multiple-choice quizzes that requires the students to identify and diagnose suspension, steering, alignment systems
  2. Reading from textbook and informational handouts
  3. Performance research paper

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Multiple choice examinations, each focused on the areas of suspension, steering, and alignment to be evaluated for correctness.
  2. Performance research assignment paper focusing on an area of interest related to one of the course objectives to be evaluated for the comprehensive understanding of steering, suspension, and alignment.
  3. Final exam consisting of multiple-choice questions that requires the students to identify and diagnose steering, suspension, and alignment.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Safety glasses
Essential College Facilities:
  • Lecture classroom and automotive facility
  • Access to automotive repair web sites
  • All DATA electronic information system (WEB based), http://library.alldatapro.com
  • Mitchell on demand electronic information system (WEB based), http://Shopkey5.com

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Halderman, James D. "Automotive Chassis Systems 7th Edition". Prentice Hall, 2017.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
"Alldata" electronic information system at www.alldata.com
"Mitchell on-demand" electronic information system at www.mitchell1.com

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Define undercar systems
  • Categorize information related to wheel alignment systems
  • Develop a wheel alignment repair plan

CSLOs

  • Understand proper under car inspection procedures.

  • Understand proper vehicle wheel alignment procedures.

Outline

  1. Define undercar systems
    1. Steering systems
      1. Recirculating ball type systems
      2. Rack and pinion systems
      3. Manual and hydraulic assist for steering
    2. Suspension systems
      1. King pin suspension system
      2. Solid axle systems
      3. Twin I-Beam suspension
      4. Short/Long arm suspension
      5. MacPherson Strut suspensions
      6. Leaf spring systems
      7. Torsion bar systems
    3. Tires and wheels
      1. Tire and wheel inspection including pressure, wear pattern, and date codes
      2. Proper removal and replacement procedures
      3. Wheel offset, back spacing, and bolt circle.
      4. Reading tire sidewall information for rim size, aspect ratio, tread width, tread wear, traction temperature ratings.
    4. Wheel alignment angles
      1. Caster and its effect on driveability and tire wear.
      2. Camber and its effect on driveability and tire wear.
      3. Toe in and toe out and its effect on driveability and tire wear.
  2. Categorize information related to wheel alignment systems
    1. Proper road test procedures and techniques to help determine the root cause of concern.
    2. Vehicle inspection procedure
      1. Ride height
      2. Steering system inspection prior to alignment.
      3. Analyze tire wear for alignment adjustment and suspension repair.
    3. Proper customer communication techniques.
      1. Procedure to adjust Camber.
      2. Procedure to adjust Caster.
      3. Procedure to adjust Toe.
    4. Wheel alignment angles
  3. Develop a wheel alignment repair plan
    1. Preparing a repair cost estimate and repair plan
      1. Determine cost of parts and mark up calculations for profit.
      2. Determine total labor hours to billed per industry guidelines.
      3. Legal procedures and documentation for a repair up sell.
    2. Verification of component failure
      1. Steering component failures
      2. Suspension component failures.
    3. Repair techniques and wheel alignment angle settings
      1. Alignment machine setup.
      2. Obtaining alignment angles.
      3. Interpreting data from alignment machine for repair.
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