Core Standards of the Course
Strand 1
Student will participate in personal and leadership development activities through SkillsUSA or another appropriate career and technical student organization.
Standard 1
Student will use communication skills to effectively communicate with others.
- Understand when it is appropriate to listen and to speak.
- Understand and follow verbal and written instructions for classroom and laboratory activities.
Standard 2
Student will effectively use teamwork to respectfully work with others.Standard 3
Student will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Analyze the cause of the problem.
- Develop a solution to address the problem.
- Implement the plan.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.
Standard 4
Student will be dependable, reliable, steady, trustworthy, and consistent in performance and behavior.
- Set and meet goals on attendance and punctuality.
- Prioritize, plan, and manage work to complete assignments and projects on time.
Standard 5
Student will be accountable for results.
- Use an achievement chart for activities and behaviors in class that encourages a personal evaluation of classroom performance.
- File a regular written report on progress toward completion of assignments and projects.
Standard 6
Be familiar with the legal requirements and expectations of the course.
Strand 2
Student will participate in work-place readiness activities.
Standard 1
Student will demonstrate employability skills.
- Use a career search network to find career choices.
- Write a resume including a list of demonstrated skills.
- Write a letter of application.
- Complete a job application.
- Participate in an actual or simulated job interview.
Standard 2
Student will participate in a work-based learning experience outside the classroom.
Strand 3
Students will understand general shop safety.
Standard 1
Learn safe working habits and procedures. Pass a safety test with 100 percent.
Standard 2
Review the different types and hazards of solvents used.
Standard 3
Review the different types, purposes, and hazards of automotive greases, oils, and additives.
Standard 4
Review precautions in the use, handling, and storage of various solvents, cleaners, oils, greases, and additives.
Standard 5
Review the gasses encountered in the diesel field and the hazards they present.
Standard 6
Review the hazards and control of asbestos dust.
Standard 7
Comply with safety rules for working with automotive chemicals (SDS).
Performance Skills
Pass safety test with 100%
Strand 4
Students will generally inspect the Steering and Suspension Systems and determine needed action.
Standard 1
Research vehicle service information, including fluid type, vehicle service history, service precautions, and technical service bulletins.
Standard 2
Disable and enable supplemental restraint system (SRS); verify indicator lamp operation.
Standard 3
Identify suspension and steering system components and configurations.
Standard 4
Use appropriate electronic service tool(s) and procedures to diagnose problems; check, record, and clear diagnostic codes; interpret digital multimeter (DMM) readings.
- Research vehicle service information
- Disable and enable supplemental restraint system (SRS); verify indicator lamp operation.
- Identify suspension and steering system components and configurations.
- Use appropriate electronic service tool(s) and procedures to diagnose problems.
Strand 5
Students will inspect the Steering Column and determine needed action.
Standard 1
Check steering wheel for free play, binding, and proper centering; inspect and service steering shaft U-joint(s), slip joint(s), bearings, bushings, and seals; phase steering shaft.
Standard 2
Diagnose causes of fixed and driver adjustable steering column and shaft noise, looseness, and binding problems.
Standard 3
Check cab mounting and adjust cab ride height.
Standard 4
Remove the steering wheel (includes steering wheels equipped with electrical/electronic controls and components); install and center the steering wheel.
Standard 5
Inspect, test, replace, and calibrate steering angle sensor.
- Check steering wheel for free play, binding, and proper centering.
- Diagnose causes of fixed and driver adjustable steering column and shaft noise, looseness, and binding problems.
- Check cab mounting and adjust cab ride height.
- Remove the steering wheel (includes steering wheels equipped with electrical/electronic controls and components); install and center the steering wheel.
- Inspect, test, replace, and calibrate steering angle sensor
Strand 6
Students will inspect the Steering Pump and Gear Units and determine needed action.
Standard 1
Check power steering pump and gear operation, mountings, lines, and hoses; check fluid level and condition; service filter; inspect system for leaks.
Standard 2
Flush and refill power steering system; purge air from system.
Standard 3
Diagnose causes of power steering system noise, binding, darting/oversteer, reduced wheel cut, steering wheel kick, pulling, non-recovery, turning effort, looseness, hard steering, overheating, fluid leakage, and fluid aeration problems.
Standard 4
Inspect, service, and/or replace power steering reservoir, seals, and gaskets.
Standard 5
Inspect and/or replace power steering system cooler, lines, hoses, clamps, mountings, and fittings.
Standard 6
Inspect and/or replace power steering gear(s) (single and/or dual) and mountings.
- Check power steering pump and gear operation, mountings, lines, and hoses; check fluid level and condition; service filter; inspect system for leaks.
- Flush and refill power steering system; purge air from system.
- Diagnose causes of power steering system noise, binding, darting/oversteer, reduced wheel cut, steering wheel kick, pulling, non-recovery, turning effort, looseness, hard steering, overheating, fluid leakage, and fluid aeration problems.
- Inspect, service, and/or replace power steering reservoir, seals, and gaskets.
- Inspect and/or replace power steering system cooler, lines, hoses, clamps, mountings, and fittings.
- Inspect and/or replace power steering gear(s) (single and/or dual) and mountings.
Strand 7
Students will inspect the Steering Linkage and determine needed repair.
Standard 1
Inspect, service, repair, and/or replace tie rod ends, ball joints, kingpins, pitman arms, idler arms, and other steering linkage components.
- Inspect, service, repair, and/or replace tie rod ends, ball joints, kingpins, pitman arms, idler arms, and other steering linkage components.
Strand 8
Students will inspect the Suspension Systems and determine needed action.
Standard 1
Inspect shock absorbers, bushings, brackets, and mounts; determine needed action.
Standard 2
Inspect leaf springs, center bolts, clips, pins, bushings, shackles, U-bolts, insulators, brackets, and mounts; determine needed action.
Standard 3
Inspect axle and axle aligning devices such as: radius rods, track bars, stabilizer bars, and torque arms; inspect related bushings, mounts, and shims and determine needed action.
Standard 4
Inspect tandem suspension equalizer components and determine needed action.
Standard 5
Inspect, repair, and/or replace air springs, mounting plates, springs, suspension arms, and bushings.
Standard 6
Inspect and test air suspension pressure regulator and height control valves, lines, hoses, dump valves, and fittings; check and record ride height.
Standard 7
Inspect and service kingpins, steering knuckle bushings, locks, bearings, seals, and covers.
Standard 8
Measure, record and adjust ride height; determine needed action.
Standard 9
Diagnose rough ride problems; determine needed action.
- Inspect shock absorbers, bushings, brackets, and mounts.
- Inspect leaf springs, center bolts, clips, pins, bushings, shackles, U-bolts, insulators, brackets, and mounts.
- Inspect axle and axle aligning devices.
- Inspect tandem suspension equalizer component.
- Inspect, repair, and/or replace air springs, mounting plates, springs, suspension arms, and bushings.
- Inspect and test air suspension pressure regulator and height control valves, lines, hoses, dump valves, and fittings; check and record ride height.
- Inspect and service kingpins, steering knuckle bushings, locks, bearings, seals, and covers.
- Measure, record and adjust ride height.
- Diagnose rough ride problems.
Strand 9
Students will diagnose the Wheel Alignment and determine needed action.
Standard 1
Demonstrate understanding of alignment angles.
Standard 2
Diagnose causes of vehicle wandering, pulling, shimmy, hard steering, and off-center steering wheel problems.
Standard 3
Check, record, and adjust camber
Standard 4
Check, record, and adjust caster.
Standard 5
Check, record, and adjust toe settings.
Standard 6
Check rear axle(s) alignment (thrustline/centerline) and tracking.
Standard 7
Identify turning/Ackerman angle (toe-out-on-turns) problems.
Standard 8
Check front axle alignment (centerline).
- Demonstrate understanding of alignment angles.
- Diagnose causes of vehicle wheel problems.
- Check, record, and adjust camber, caster, and toe settings.
- Check rear axle(s) alignment (thrustline/centerline) and tracking.
- Identify turning/Ackerman angle (toe-out-on-turns) problems.
- Check front axle alignment (centerline).
- Inspect tire condition.
- Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, pounding, and hop (tramp) problems.
- Check wheel condition.
- Inspect tire and wheel for proper application
Strand 10
Students will inspect the Wheels and Tires and determine needed action.
Standard 1
Inspect tire condition; identify tire wear patterns; measure tread depth; verify tire matching (diameter and tread); inspect valve stem and cap; set tire pressure; determine needed action.
Standard 2
Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, pounding, and hop (tramp) problems; determine needed action.
Standard 3
Check wheel mounting hardware; check wheel condition; remove and install wheel/tire assemblies (steering and drive axle); torque fasteners to manufacturer’s specification using torque wrench.
Standard 4
Inspect tire and wheel for proper application (size, load range, position, and tread design); determine needed action.
- Inspect tire condition.
- Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, pounding, and hop (tramp) problems.
- Check wheel condition.
- Inspect tire and wheel for proper application
Strand 11
Students will diagnose the Frame and Coupling Devices and determine needed action.
Standard 1
Inspect, service, and/or adjust fifth wheel, pivot pins, bushings, locking mechanisms, mounting hardware, air lines, and fittings.
Standard 2
Inspect frame and frame members for cracks, breaks, corrosion, distortion, elongated holes, looseness, and damage; determine needed action.
Standard 3
Inspect, install, and/or replace frame hangers, brackets, and cross members; determine needed action.
Standard 4
Inspect, repair, or replace pintle hooks and draw bars (if applicable).
Standard 5
Inspect, service, and/or adjust sliding fifth wheel, tracks, stops, locking systems, air cylinders, springs, lines, hoses, and controls.
- Inspect, service, and/or adjust fifth wheel, pivot pins, bushings, locking mechanisms, mounting hardware, air lines, and fittings.
- Inspect frame and frame members for cracks, breaks, corrosion, distortion, elongated holes, looseness, and damage.
- Inspect, install, and/or replace frame hangers, brackets, and cross members.
- Inspect, repair, or replace pintle hooks and draw bars (if applicable).
- Inspect, service, and/or adjust sliding fifth wheel, tracks, stops, locking systems, air cylinders, springs, lines, hoses, and controls.