Course Syllabus
Course: AUTO 1405
Division: Business and Applied Tech
Department: Transportation Technology
Title: Automotive Suspension and Steering Lab
Semester Approved: Fall 2020
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2025
End Semester: Spring 2026
Catalog 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.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 0; Lab: 6
Clock/Hour Requirements: 90
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: 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:
Students will safely perform the tasks listed in the current edition of ASE Education Foundation Certification and Accreditation for Automobile Training Programs. Students will complete 100% of priority 1, 90% of priority 2, and 90% of priority 3 tasks outlined by ASE Education Foundation. Students will be assessed by completion of lab sheets and ASE Education Foundation task lists
Students will demonstrate knowledge of steering angles; i.e., Caster, Camber, Toe, etc. Students will be assessed by completion of appropriate lab sheets, demonstration, and ASE Education Foundation task list.
Students will use the appropriate specialized tools and equipment to diagnose and repair steering and suspension systems. Students will be assessed by completion of appropriate lab sheets, demonstration, and ASE Education Foundation task list.
Students will properly complete a 4-wheel alignment on a vehicle, taking measurements and making adjustments. Students will be assessed by completion of appropriate lab sheets, demonstration, and ASE Education Foundation task list.
Students will maintain a reasonably clean work environment.
Students will be assessed by the cleanliness of their work area and the proper maintenance and storage of the equipment used during their lab activities.
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.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students will be graded on the completion of their ASE Education Foundation task list through, demonstration, the completion of lab sheets, participation, and shop clean up.
ASE task list, demonstration, and lab sheets 80 to 90%
Participation 0 to 20%
Shop Clean up 5 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Today's Technician, Automotive Suspension & Steering Systems, Mark Schnubel, Cengage Learning, current edition
Pedagogy Statement:
This is a lab class taught in conjunction with a lecture class, AUTO 1401. Students will be taught using demonstration, supervised lab assignments, and live work in the Automotive Repair Shop with guidance and assistance from the instructors.
Instructional Mediums:
Lab
Maximum Class Size: 25
Optimum Class Size: 15
