This course is designed for the technician or service writer who has been working in the industry for up to one year. Each class day is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday. This course is approximately 50% hands-on and 50% classroom activities. Class size is limited to 10 students.

• Types of suspension systems and service
• Steering systems and service
• Basic alignment angles and alignment procedures
• After-market alignment kits for non-adjustable suspension systems
• Alignment specialty tools
• Ride Height measurement and adjustment

Interested? Click here to get current schedule and cost information.

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Objectives: It is the main objective of this course to familiarize each participant with the most commonly used suspension systems, steering systems, and the correct alignment procedures for these systems.

To accomplish these goals, this course will cover basic suspension design, basic steering system design, and basic alignment. Each participant will learn to read and understand vehicle specifications in alL popular formats, as well as how to deal with vehicles with little or no adjustments from the factory.

Each participant will see demonstrated the correct working relationship between suspension and steering systems. Also, the effects of each alignment angle will be discussed in depth. Each participant will take part in actual alignment exercises to learn the correct alignment procedure for each type of suspension.

To demonstrate the realization of these goals, each participant will successfully complete a daily exam, and a final exam with a score of 75% or greater.

1. Suspension

A. Types
- Straight axle
- Twin I beam
- Short arm / Long arm
- MacPherson strut
- Modified Strut
- Chapman strut

B. Suspension Components
- Tires
- Wheels
- Shocks
- Axles
- Control arms
- Ball joints
- Bushings
- Spindles
- Bearings

2. Steering Systems

A. Parallelogram Systems
- Heltenberger
- Cross steer

B. Rack and Pinion Systems

C. Four Wheel Steering Systems

3. Alignment Angles

A. Angles
- Camber
- Caster
- Toe
- Steering axis inclination
- Toe out on turns
- Thrust angle
- Setback

B. Using the SAI and included angle to diagnose problems.

C. Orbital steer

4. Basic Wheel Alignment

A. Preparation and set-up.

B. Pre-alignment procedures

C. Diagnosis

D. Adjustment

E. Post-alignment procedures

F. Road test

5. Adjusting vehicles with little or no factory adjustments

A. Sourcebook

B. Rear Camber and Toe
- Half shims
- Full contact shims
- Dual angle shims
- Cams
- Off-set bushings
- Templates

C. Front Caster and Camber
- Cams
- Off-set bushings
- Shims
- Templates
- Replacement parts

6. Procedures for Aligning 4-Wheel Steer Vehicles

7. Special Tools

8. Ride Height Adjustments

Local Field Clinics
SPC's professional ASE trainers provide specific alignment and suspension information on new model vehicles. Topics include; adjustment methods, problems associated with suspension and alignment, technical service bulletins, and service procedures.

Basic Alignment
This course is designed for the technician or service writer who has been working in the industry for up to one year. Held at Specialty Product's main plant in Longmont, Co.