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Course Syllabus

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

  1. Students will safely perform the tasks listed in the current edition of ASE Education Foundation Certification and Accreditation for Automobile Training Programs.
  2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of steering angles; i.e., Caster, Camber, Toe, etc.
  3. Students will use the appropriate specialized tools and equipment to diagnose and repair steering and suspension systems.
  4. Students will properly complete a 4-wheel alignment on a vehicle, taking measurements and making adjustments.
  5. 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.