Sample ASE-Type Certification Test

Incorrect or unequal U-joint working angles are most likely to be caused by ________.

A collapsed engine or transmission mount

A five-speed manual transmission jumps out of fifth gear while driving. What is the most likely cause?

A cracked synchronizer ring

A transaxle has been overheated. What is the most likely cause?

A lack of or low on lubricating oil

A five-speed manual in noisy in all gears. Which is the least likely cause?

A pilot bearing

Transfer cases use what lubricant?

A. Automatice transmission B. Special Fluid C. SAE 80W-90 gear lube Correct: D. Any of the above depending on application

A growling sound is heard with the engine running and the transaxle is in neutral with the clutch engaged (foot off of the clutch pedal) What is the most likely cause?

An input shaft bearing

A transfer case is difficult to shift from four-wheel low to four-wheel high (range shift). Tech A says that the shift linkage or shift fork may be worn, damaged, or misadjusted. Tech B says that incorrect lubricant could be the cause. Which is correct?

BOTH

A transfer case is extremely noisy in all selections except in two-wheel drive and neutral whenever the vehicle is moving. Tech A says the drive chain may be stretched causing the noise as it hits the inside of the case. Tech B says that one or more of the transfer case bearings could be defective. Which tech is correct?

BOTH

Tech A says that the clearance between the synchronizer ring (blocking ring) and the speed gear should be measured with a feeler (thickness) gauge. Tech B says that a worn synchronizer ring (blocking ring) can cause gear clash when shifting. Which tech is correct?

BOTH

Two technicians are discussing U-joints. Tech A says that a defective U-joint could cause a loud "clunk" noise when the transmission is shifted between drive and reverse. Tech B says a worn U-joint can cause a clicking, or squeaking sound when driving the vehicle in reverse, but not while moving forward. Which tech is correct?

BOTH

Two technicians are discussing linkage adjustment. Tech A says the most hydraulic clutches are self-adjusting and that no adjustment is needed. Tech B says that many cable-operated clutches are self-adjusting and that no adjustment is needed. Which tech is correct?

BOTH

A four-wheel-drive vehicle is noisy in four-wheel low, but not in four-wheel high or two-wheel drive. Which is the most likely cause?

Excessive axial play in the planetary gears

An owner of a manual transmission vehicle complained that the clutch slipped during hard acceleration. Tech A says that the clutch linkage may need adjustment. Tech B says the clutch may require replacement. Which is correct?

Both Technicians

The owner of a vehicle equipped with a manual transaxle complained that gear crash was heard whenever shifting. Which is the least likely to be the cause?

Defective output shaft bearing

The owner of a front-wheel-drive vehicle complains that the shift lever is difficult to move in all positions. Which is the most likely cause?

Dirty/corroded shift linkage

Which component cannot be removed before removing the transmission/transaxle from the vehicle.

Front bearing retainer (quill)

Various lubricants are used in manual transmission except _____.

High temperature chassis grease

A clutch engages close to the floor and will often not disengage. What is most likely cause?

Misadjusted clutch linkage

An owner of a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission and a cable-operated clutch complained that the transmission is difficult to shift without grinding the gears. Which is the least likely cause?

Misadjusted clutch switch

The owner of an all-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle (SUV) complained that the vehicle tends to vibrate and hop when turning a corner. A visual inspection showed that the viscous coupling on the rear drive shaft was blue and looked as if it had been overheated. Which is the most likely cause.

Mismatched tire sizes

A grinding sound is heard when the driver attempts to shift into four-wheel low range from four-wheel high range while traveling at about 20 MPH. Tech A says that the drive chain could be slipping on the sprockets thus causing this sound. Tech B says that a center differential inside the transfer case could be the cause. Which tech is correct?

Neither

A vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive with 20,000 miles on new tires has a blowout on the left front due to road debris. Tech A says to replace the left front tire only. Tech B says to replace both front tires. Which is correct?

Neither

An owner of a front-wheel-drive minivan complained that the front of the vehicle made a clicking sound whenever turning a corner. Tech A says that defective wheel bearings are the most likely cause. Tech B says that defective inner CV joint(s) may be the cause. Which is correct?

Neither

A clutch is chattering when it is engaged. What is the most likely cause?

Oil or grease on the friction surface(s)

A ring gear and pinion are being replaced. Which part(s) usually requires replacement?

Ring gear bolts

A paper blocker ring is used in a manual transaxle. What type of lubricant will harm this type of blocker ring?

SAE 80W-90 gear lube

A differential pinion seal is leaking. What should be used to remove the pinion nut?

Socket and wrench while companion flange is being held with a holding tool

A transmission is low on lubricant. Which component is the least likely to fall?

Synchronizer assembly

A growling sound is heard from the rear of a read-wheel-drive vehicle while turning left only. Tech A says that defective rear axle bearings may be the cause. Tech B says that defective side bearings may be the cause. Which tech is correct?

Tech A

Two techs are discussing the pinion depth adjustment in a differential. Tech A says that the pinion depth is adjusted using a shim. Tech B says that the pinion depth is adjusted by adjusting the pinion nut. Which is correct?

Tech A

A customer complained of hard shifting particularly into first gear and reverse. Tech A says that the blocking ring may be worn. Tech B says that the clutch may be defective or out of adjustment. Which tech is correct?

Tech B

A manual five-speed transmission in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle is noisy in all gears except fourth. Tech A says that the main shaft bearing(s) is likely to be defective. Tech B says that the countershaft bearing(s) is likely to be defective. Which tech is correct?

Tech B

A manual transmission is difficult to shift into all gears but only when the outside temperature is below freezing point (32 degrees F or 0 degrees C ). Tech A says that the brass blocking ring could be defective. Tech B says that incorrect gear lubricant could be the cause. Which tech in correct?

Tech B

A service technician removed the inspection/fill plug from the differential of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle and gear lube started to flow out. Tech A says that the technician should quickly replace the plug to prevent any ore loss of gear lube. Tech B says the fluid should be allowed to drain. Which is correct?

Tech B

Tech a says that if the backlash is okay, then the side bearing preload is also okay. Tech B says that a ring gear tooth pattern check will indicate if the drive pinion depth is correct. Which tech is correct?

Tech B

The owner of a full-size four-wheel-drive pickup truck complains that whenever turning sharply and accelerating rapidly, a severe vibration is felt. Tech A says that the transfer case may be defective. Tech B says the this is normal if conventional Cardan U-joints are used to drive the front wheels. Which tech is correct?

Tech B

Two techs are discussing which lubricants are used in a limited slip differential. Tech A says to use SAE 80W-140. Tech B says that most vehicle manufactures usually specify SAE 80W-90 be used with to without special limited slip additives. Which tech in correct?

Tech B

A loud squeak is heard every time the clutch pedal is depressed or released. What is the most likely cause?

The clutch pedal linkage needs lubrication

A rear-wheel-drive vehicle shutters or vibrates when first accelerating from a stop. The vibration is less noticeable at higher speed. What is the most likely cause?

Unequal U-joint working angles

A vehicle owner complained that severe vibration was felt throughout the entire vehicle at highway speeds. What is the least likely cause?

Worn CV Joints