Deck 5: Shock Absorbers and Struts

Question 1

Technician A says the single-tube design of a heavy-duty shock absorber prevents excessive heat buildup. Technician B says the high-quality seal in a heavy-duty shock absorber provides longer life. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A worn shock absorber or strut may increase braking distance.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Excessive chassis oscillations may result in loss of steering control.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Struts perform the same function as shock absorbers; however, struts may also support the top of the steering knuckle.

Question 5

When removing a coil spring from a strut, some spring tension should be left on the upper strut mount before loosening the strut rod nut.

Question 6

Shock absorbers containing a nitrogen gas charge provide a less positive shock absorber action compared with shock absorbers without a gas charge.

Question 7

Technician A says when the suspension height is normal, the valve orifices in a travel-sensitive strut provide more resistance to oil movement. Technician B says a travel-sensitive strut provides more resistance to oil movement when the speed of upward or downward wheel movement increases. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 8

The magneto-rheological fluid used in some shock absorbers and struts contains:

A) Small, suspended metal particles
B) A dye for leak detection purposes
C) A viscous coupling additive
D) Pour point depressors

Question 9

Conventional and heavy-duty shock absorbers have the same design features to prevent heat buildup.

Question 10

Technician A says shock absorbers control spring action. Technician B says harsh riding may be caused by worn-out shock absorbers. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 11

All of the following statements about gas-filled shock absorbers and struts are true EXCEPT:

A) Gas-filled shock absorbers and struts have an identification label
B) New gas-filled shock absorbers or struts are wired in the compressed position
C) A gas-filled shock absorber or strut provides continuous damping action with very little wheel movement
D) A hydrogen gas charge is used in most shock absorbers and struts

Question 12

Shock absorbers control spring action.

Question 13

Gas-filled shock absorbers should extend when disconnected.

Question 14

When turning the front wheels to the right or left, strut chatter may indicate a binding upper strut mount.

Question 15

Technician A says when performing a shock absorber manual test, the shock absorber's resistance to movement may be greater on the rebound stroke compared with the compression stroke. Technician B says if the shock absorber's resistance to movement is jerky and erratic, shock absorber replacement is necessary. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 16

It is not necessary to support any suspension component when replacing a shock absorber or strut.

Question 17

Technician A says oil flow calibration in a shock absorber or strut must be in relation to the deflection rate of the spring. Technician B says oil flow calibration in a shock absorber or strut must be in relation to the length of the lower control arm. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 18

MacPherson strut replacement is being discussed. Technician A says that the lower rear strut hole may be elongated to allow for a camber adjustment on some vehicles. Technician B says that the lower rear strut hole may be elongated to allow for easier installation on difficult locations. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 19

During normal strut operation:

A) When the wheel moves upward the strut piston   also moves upward
B) The strut prevents wheel shimmy
C) The strut prevents excessive wheel oscillations
D) Downward wheel movement is called wheel  jounce

Question 20

The main function of a shock absorber or strut is to:

A) Prevent wheel shimmy
B) Reduce lateral wheel movement
C) Prevent fore-and-aft wheel movement
D) Control spring action

Question 21

Shock absorbers and struts provide all of these functions EXCEPT:

A) Improving ride quality
B) Improving tire tread life
C) Maintaining proper curb riding height
D) Improving directional stability

Question 22

On some vehicles, before a strut is removed from the steering knuckle what should be marked in relation to the strut mounting to avoid major alignment error?

Question 23

Technician A says shock absorbers should be replaced if there is a slight oil film on the lower tube. Technician B says shock absorbers should be replaced if they have severe dents in the lower tube. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 24

Compared to a conventional shock absorber, a heavy duty s hock absorber has:

A) A high-quality seal for longer life
B) Triple layers of steel in the lower tube unit
C) Higher viscosity oil
D) A larger diameter piston rod

Question 25

Heavy-duty shock absorbers are pressurized with nitrogen gas to a pressure of:

A) 180 psi
B) 260 psi
C) 360 psi
D) 540 psi

Question 26

All of these statements about gas-filled shock absorbers  are true EXCEPT:

A) The gas charge creates a mild boost in spring rate
B) The primary function of the gas charge is to   minimize aeration of the hydraulic fluid
C) A gas-filled shock absorber provides continuous  damping action with very little wheel movement
D) A hydrogen gas charge is used in most shock  absorbers and struts

Question 27

On a vehicle with a MacPherson strut front suspension system, there is a grinding noise coming from the right front area during low-speed parking lot maneuvers. What is the most likely cause?

A) Worn outer tie rod
B) Loose power steering drive belt
C) Weak strut cartridge
D) Worn upper strut bearing

Question 28

Technician A says load-leveling rear shock absorbers use a vent solenoid to release air from the shock absorbers and lower the rear suspension height. Technician B says an onboard compressor forces air into the rear load-leveling shock absorbers to raise the rear suspension height. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 29

What is the role of the shock absorber?

Question 30

Technician A says when a front strut is fully compressed, the spring bumper on the strut rod provides a cushioning action. Technician B says the top of the strut housing should contact the spring bumper on the strut rod before the coils in the spring contact each other. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 31

When a strut adjustment knob is set to a higher number, how does this affect the performance?

Question 32

Technician A says an enamel-coated coil spring should be taped in the areas where the spring compressor tool contacts the spring. Technician B says if the enamel coating is chipped on a coil spring, the spring deflection rate is reduced. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 33

Worn-out shock absorbers or struts may cause:

A) Steering pull
B) Suspension bottoming
C) Excessive steering free play
D) Lateral chassis oscillations

Question 34

What is the purpose of the rubber spring bumper on the strut piston rod?

Question 35

All of the following statements about shock absorber design and operation are true EXCEPT:

A) A nitrogen gas charge in a shock absorber prevents oil foaming
B) The oil flow through the orifices and valves is matched to the spring's strength and deflection rate
C) A typical shock absorber may have 70 percent of the total control on the extension cycle
D) During jounce wheel travel, the piston is moving upward in the shock absorber bore of the lower tube housing

Question 36

Travel-sensitive struts:

A) Have an adjustment on the outside of the strut
B) Provide more resistance to oil movement when   compressed
C) Provide more resistance to oil movement when  driving on a smooth road surface
D) Bypass some of the oil past the piston when  compressed

Question 37

Technician A says most shock absorbers and struts have a 50/50 ratio. Technician B says a strut with a 70/50 ratio has more resistance to movement on the extension cycle. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 38

Load leveling shock absorbers/struts may be equipped with what?

Question 39

What does the nitrogen gas charge in a shock absorber/strut do?

Question 40

A shock absorber with an 80/20 ratio offers more resistance to movement on which cycle?

Question 41

What does a single tube design in a heavy-duty shock absorber prevent?

Question 42

Describe oil movement in a shock absorber or strut during wheel jounce.

Question 43

Describe the vehicle safety hazards created by worn-out shock absorbers or struts.

Question 44

Describe the spring action during wheel jounce and rebound.

Question 45

What are shock absorbers/struts matched to on the suspension system?

Question 46

Describe the purpose of spring insulators.

Question 47

With regard to removing a coil spring from a strut, explain the precaution that must be observed before loosening the strut rod nut.

Question 48

Describe the spring action with a worn-out shock absorber.

Question 49

Explain what shock absorber/strut ratio is.

Question 50

The valve in most shock absorbers/struts is designed to vary the oil flow through the valve in relation to what?

Question 51

Describe the manual shock absorber test procedure.

Question 52

Explain the purpose of the nitrogen charge in shock absorbers and struts.