May 12, 2024  
2023-2024 College Catalog 
    
2023-2024 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

GTC 143 - Suspension, Steering, and Brakes

3 Credits, 4 Contact Hours
2 lecture periods 2 lab periods

Principles and procedures for automotive suspension system service. Includes safety, adjustment and repair of front and rear suspension systems, and related suspension component service. Diagnosis and repair of automotive  hydraulic brake systems. Includes personal and environmental safety, hydraulic system diagnosis and repair, drum and disc brake diagnosis and repair, power assist units diagnosis and repair, wheel bearings, park brake, and brake electrical diagnosis and repair, and anti-lock brake systems (ABS) components and operation.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate the ability to inspect, remove/replace, and service shock absorbers and wheel bearings.
  2. Perform removal replacement procedures on control arm bushings and ball joint.
  3. Perform removal replacement procedures on a Macpherson strut and cartridge.
  4. Perform inspection and removal/replacement procedures on coil springs, control arms, and related components.
  5. Perform inspection and removal/replacement procedures on leaf springs and related
  6. Perform diagnosis and repair of drum brake components.
  7. Perform diagnosis and repair of disc brake components.
  8. Perform bleeding procedures of a brake hydraulic system.
  9. Perform fabrication procedures for SAE & ISO flares,   removal/replacement/adjustment of wheel bearings, seals, races, and wheel studs.
  10. Perform brake master cylinder bench bleed procedures and removal/replacement of brake lines, hoses, fittings, and supports.
  11. Perform evaluation and machining of drums and rotors.components.

 


Outline:
  1. Suspension Fundamentals
    a. Suspension Components
    b. Suspension Designs
    c. Suspension Identification

 

  1. Tire Mounting, Repair, and Balancing
    a. Overview of Tire Design and Tire Purpose
    b. Inspecting Tires for Wear
    c. Mounting and Dismounting of Tires
    d. Balancing Tires
    e. SureTrack Purpose and Operation

 

  1. Coil Spring and Track Bar Service
    a. Coil Spring Design and Function
    b. Coil Spring Inspection and Diagnosis
    c. Servicing Coil Spring

 

  1. MacPherson Strut Service
    a. Macpherson Strut Inspection and Diagnosis
    b. Servicing MacPherson Strut

 

  1. Suspension Diagnosis and Repair
    a. Diagnosing suspension components
    b. Servicing suspension components

 

  1. Steering System Design and Repair
    a. Power components and design
    b. Power steering diagnosis
    c. Rack and pinion removal and replacement

 

  1. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
    a. ADAS purpose and design
    b. ADAS components and operation
    c. Performing camera realignment

 

  1. Wheel Alignment
    a. Overview of 4 Wheel Alignment and Purpose
    b. Pre-alignment Checks and Purpose
    c. 4 Wheel Alignment Service

 

  1. Safety and Hazardous Materials Handling
    a. Proper Clothing and Protective Equipment
    b. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
    c. Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations
    d. Fire Extinguishers, Exits and Evacuation Procedures   
     

  2. General Brake Systems Diagnosis

  1. Complete work order to include customer information, vehicle identifying information, customer concern, related service history, cause, and correction.

  1. Identify and interpret brake system concern; determine necessary action.

  2. Research applicable vehicle and service information; such as brake system operation, vehicle service history, service precautions, and technical service bulletins.

  3. Locate and interpret vehicle and major component identification numbers

  4. Hydraulic System Diagnosis and Repair:

    1. Diagnose pressure concerns in the brake system using hydraulic principles (Pascal’s Law).

    2. Measure brake pedal height, travel, and free play (as applicable); determine necessary action.

    3. Check master cylinder for internal/external leaks and proper operation; determine necessary action.

    4. Remove, bench bleed, and reinstall master cylinder.

    5. Diagnose poor stopping, pulling or dragging concerns caused by malfunctions in the hydraulic system; determine necessary action.

    6. Inspect brake lines, flexible hoses, and fittings for leaks, dents, kinks, rust, cracks, bulging or wear; tighten loose fittings and supports; determine necessary action.

    7. Replace brake lines, hoses, fittings, and supports.

    8. Fabricate brake lines using proper material and flaring procedures (double flare and ISO types).

    9. Select, handle, store, and fill brake fluids to proper level.

    10. Inspect, test, and/or replace metering (hold-off), proportioning (balance), pressure differential, and combination valves.

    11. Inspect, test, and/or replace components of brake warning light system.

    12. Bleed and/or flush brake system.

    13. Test brake fluid for contamination.

 

  1. Drum Brake Diagnosis and Repair

    1. Diagnose poor stopping, noise, vibration, pulling, grabbing, dragging, or pedal pulsation concerns; determine necessary action.

    2. Remove, clean, inspect, and measure brake drums; determine necessary action.

    3. Refinish brake drum; measure final drum diameter.

    4. Remove, clean, and inspect brake shoes, springs, pins, clips, levers, adjustors/self-adjustors, other related brake hardware, and backing support plates; lubricate and reassemble.

    5. Inspect and install wheel cylinders.

    6. Pre-adjust brake shoes and parking brake; install brake drums or drum/hub assemblies and wheel bearings.

    7. Install wheel, torque lug nuts, and make final checks and adjustments.

 

  1. Disc Brake Diagnosis and Repair

    1. Diagnose poor stopping, noise, vibration, pulling, grabbing, dragging, or pulsation concerns; determine necessary action.

    2. Remove caliper assembly; inspect for leaks and damage to caliper housing; determine necessary action.

    3. Clean and inspect caliper mounting and slides/pins for operation; wear, and damage; determine necessary action.

    4. Remove, inspect and replace pads and retaining hardware; determine necessary action.

    5. Disassemble and clean caliper assembly; inspect parts for wear, rust, scoring, and damage; replace seal, boot, and damaged or worn parts.

    6. Reassemble, lubricate, and install caliper, pads, and related hardware; seat pads, and inspect for leaks.

    7. Clean, inspect, and measure rotor thickness, lateral runout, and thickness variation; determine necessary action.

    8. Remove and reinstall the rotor. 

    9. Refinish rotor on vehicle; measure final rotor thickness.

    10. Refinish rotor off vehicle; measure final rotor thickness.

    11. Retract caliper piston on an integrated parking brake system.

    12. Install wheel, torque lug nuts, and make final checks and adjustments.

    13. Check brake pad wear indicator system operation; determine necessary action.

 

  1. Power Assist Units Diagnosis and Repair

    1. Test pedal free travel; check power assist operation.

    2. Check vacuum supply to vacuum-type power booster.

    3. Inspect the vacuum-type power booster unit for leaks; inspect the check valve for proper operation; determine necessary action.

    4. Inspect and test hydraulically assisted power brake system for leaks and proper operation; determine necessary action.

    5. Measure and adjust master cylinder pushrod length.

 

  1. Miscellaneous (Wheel Bearings, Parking Brakes, Electrical, Etc.) Diagnosis and Repair

    1. Diagnose wheel bearing noises, wheel shimmy, and vibration concerns; determine necessary action.

    2. Remove, clean, inspect, repack, and install wheel bearings and replace seals; install hub and adjust bearings.

    3. Check parking cables and components for wear, binding, and corrosion; clean, lubricate, adjust or replace as needed.

    4. Check parking brake and indicator system operation; determine necessary action.

    5. Check operation of brake stop light system; determine necessary action.

    6. Replace wheel bearing and race.

    7. Inspect and replace wheel studs.

    8. Remove and reinstall sealed wheel bearing assembly.

 

  1. Electronic Brake, Traction and Stability Control Systems Diagnosis and Repair.

    1. Identify and inspect electronic brake control system components; determine necessary action.

    2. Diagnose poor stopping, wheel lock-up, abnormal pedal feel, unwanted application, and noise concerns associated with the electronic brake control system; determine necessary action.

    3. Diagnose electronic brake control system electronic control(s) and components by retrieving diagnostic trouble codes, and/or using recommended test equipment; determine necessary action.

    4. Depressurize high-pressure components of the electronic brake control system.

    5. Bleed the electronic control system hydraulic circuits.

    6. Remove and install electronic brake control system electrical/electronic and hydraulic components.

    7. Test, diagnose, and service electronic brake control system sped sensors (digital and analog), toothed ring (tone wheel), and circuits using a graphing multimeter (GMM)/digital storage oscilloscope (DSO)(includes output signal, resistance, shorts to voltage/ground, and frequency data).

    8. Diagnose electronic brake control system braking concerns cause by vehicle modifications (tire size, curb height, final drive ratio, etc.).

    9. Identify traction control/vehicle stability control system components.

    10. Describe the operation of a regenerative braking system.



Effective Term:
Fall 2023