Suspension and Steering

For every task in Suspension and Steering, the following safety requirement must be strictly enforced:

Comply with personal and environmental safety practices associated with clothing; eye protection; hand tools; power equipment; proper ventilation; and the handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals/materials in accordance with local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations.

NATEF Tasks	Description	Priority Designation
A	General Suspension and Steering Systems Diagnosis
IV.A.1	Identify and interpret suspension and steering concern; determine necessary action.	P-1
IV.A.2	Research applicable vehicle and service information, such as suspension and steering system operation, vehicle service history, service precautions, and technical service bulletins.	P-1
IV.A.3	Locate and interpret vehicle and major component identification numbers (VIN, vehicle certification labels, calibration decals).	P-1
B	Steering Systems Diagnosis and Repair
IV.B.1	Disable and enable supplemental restraint systems (SRS).	P-1
IV.B.2	Remove and replace steering wheel; center /time supplemental restraint system (SRS) coil (clock spring).	P-1
IV.B.3	Diagnose steering column noises, looseness, and binding concerns (including tilt mechanisms); determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.B.4	Diagnose power steering gear (non-rack and pinion) binding, uneven turning effort, looseness, hard steering, and fluid leakage concerns; determine necessary action.	P-3
IV.B.5	Diagnose power steering gear (rack and pinion) binding, uneven turning effort, looseness, hard steering, and fluid leakage concerns; determine necessary action.	P-3
IV.B.6	Inspect steering shaft universal-joint(s), flexible coupling(s), collapsible column, lock cylinder mechanism, and steering wheel; perform necessary action.	P-2
IV.B.7	Adjust manual or power non-rack and pinion worm bearing preload and sector lash.	P-3
IV.B.8	Remove and replace manual or power rack and pinion steering gear; inspect mounting bushings and brackets.	P-1
IV.B.9	Inspect and replace manual or power rack and pinion steering gear inner tie rod ends (sockets) and bellows boots.	P-1
IV.B.10	Inspect power steering fluid levels and condition.	P-1
IV.B.11	Flush, fill, and bleed power steering system.	P-2
IV.B.12	Diagnose power steering fluid leakage; determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.B.13	Remove, inspect, replace, and adjust power steering pump belt.	P-1
IV.B.14	Remove and reinstall power steering pump.	P-3
IV.B.15	Remove and reinstall power steering pump pulley; check pulley and belt alignment.	P-3
IV.B.16	Inspect and replace power steering hoses and fittings.	P-2
IV.B.17	Inspect and replace pitman arm, relay (centerline/intermediate) rod, idler arm and mountings, and steering linkage damper.	P-2
IV.B.18	Inspect, replace, and adjust tie rod ends (sockets), tie rod sleeves, and clamps.	P-1
IV.B.19	Test and diagnose components of electronically controlled steering systems using a scan tool; determine necessary action.	P-3
C	Suspension Systems Diagnosis and Repair
	1. Front Suspension
IV.C.1.1	Diagnose short and long arm suspension noises, body sway, and uneven riding height concerns; determine necessary action.	P-1
IV.C.1.2	Diagnose strut suspension system noises, body sway, and uneven riding height concerns; determine necessary action.	P-1
IV.C.1.3	Remove, inspect, and install upper and lower control arms, bushings, shafts, and rebound bumpers.	P-3
IV.C.1.4	Remove, inspect, and install, strut rods(compression/tension) and bushings.	P-2
IV.C.1.5	Remove, inspect, and install upper and/or lower ball joints.	P-2
IV.C.1.6	Remove, inspect, and install steering knuckle assemblies.	P-2
IV.C.1.7	Remove, inspect, and install short and long arm suspension system coil springs and spring insulators.	P-2
IV.C.1.8	Remove, inspect, install, and adjust suspension system torsion bars; inspect mounts.	P-3
IV.C.1.9	Remove, inspect, and install stabilizer bar bushings, brackets, and links.	P-2
IV.C.1.10	Remove, inspect, and install strut cartridge or assembly, strut coil spring, insulators (silencers), and upper strut bearing mount.	P-1
IV.C.1.11	Lubricate suspension and steering systems.	P-2
	2. Rear Suspension
IV.C.2.1	Remove, inspect, and install coil springs and spring insulators.	P-2
IV.C.2.2	Remove, inspect, and install transverse links, control arms, bushings, and mounts.	P-2
IV.C.2.3	Remove, inspect, and install leaf springs, leaf spring insulators (silencers), shackles, brackets, bushings, and mounts.	P-3
IV.C.2.4	Remove, inspect, and install strut cartridge or assembly, strut coil spring, and insulators (silencers).	P-2
	3. Miscellaneous Service
IV.C.3.1	Inspect, remove, and replace shock absorbers.	P-1
IV.C.3.2	Remove, inspect, and service or replace front and rear wheel bearings.	P-1
IV.C.3.3	Test and diagnose components of electronically controlled suspension systems using a scan tool; determine necessary action..	P-3
D	Wheel Alignment Diagnosis, Adjustment and Repair
IV.D.1	Differentiate between steering and suspension concerns using principles of steering geometry (caster, camber, toe, etc).	P-1
IV.D.2	Diagnose vehicle wander, drift, pull, hard steering, bump steer, memory steer, torque steer, and steering return concerns; determine necessary action.	P-1
IV.D.3	Perform alignment inspection; perform necessary action.	P-1
IV.D.4	Measure vehicle-riding height; determine necessary action.	P-1
IV.D.5	Check and adjust front and rear wheel camber; perform necessary action.	P-1
IV.D.6	Check and adjust caster; perform necessary action.	P-1
IV.D.7	Check and adjust front wheel toe; adjust as needed.	P-1
IV.D.8	Center steering wheel.	P-1
IV.D.9	Check toe-out-on-turns (turning radius); determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.D.10	Check SAI (steering axis inspection) and included angle; determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.D.11	Check and adjust rear wheel toe.	P-2
IV.D.12	Check rear wheel thrust angle; determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.D.13	Check for front wheel setback; determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.D.14	Check front cradle (subframe) alignment; determine necessary action.	P-3
E	Wheel and Tire Diagnosis and Repair
IV.E.1	Diagnose tire wear patterns; determine necessary action.	P-1
IV.E.2	Inspect tires; check and adjust air pressure.	P-1
IV.E.3	Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, and noise; determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.E.4	Rotate tires according to manufacturer's recommendations.	P-1
IV.E.5	Measure wheel, tire, axle, and hub runout; determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.E.6	Diagnose tire pull (lead) problem; determine necessary action.	P-2
IV.E.7	Balance wheel and tire assembly (static and dynamic).	P-1
IV.E.8	Dismount, inspect, repair, and remount tire on wheel.	P-2
IV.E.9	Reinstall wheel; torque lug nuts.	P-1
IV.E.10	Inspect and repair tire.	P-2

Back to the task list