Automotive Suspension and Steering Technician

Course Description

AER0453C – Automotive Suspension and Steering Technician is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Automotive Service Technology program, aligned with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Curriculum Framework for CIP code 47.0604 (Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician). The course aligns with the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) A4 – Suspension and Steering certification area and the ASE Education Foundation Maintenance & Light Repair (MLR), Auto Service Technician (AST), and Master Auto Service Technology (MAST) program standards.

Students develop competencies in diagnosing, servicing, and repairing automotive steering systems (manual, hydraulic power, and electric power steering), suspension systems (short-long arm, MacPherson strut, multi-link, and air suspension), wheel alignment, and tire/wheel service. Instruction combines classroom theory with hands-on lab work using alignment racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, and live-vehicle diagnosis.

This course is offered at 41 Florida technical colleges and is part of the Automotive Service Technology 2 program sequence. As a 900-series PSAV course, hours apply toward program completion and ASE certification eligibility but are not automatically transferable to associate-degree programs.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe suspension and steering system components and their interrelationships across passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs.
• Diagnose and repair steering system components, including the steering column, steering gear (rack-and-pinion or recirculating ball), tie rod ends, and steering linkage.
• Diagnose and repair power steering systems, including hydraulic power steering (pump, hoses, cooler) and electric power steering (EPS) systems.
• Inspect, service, and repair front and rear suspension systems, including ball joints, control arms, bushings, struts, shocks, springs, sway bars, and stabilizer links.
• Perform wheel alignment on a 4-wheel alignment rack, including angle measurement, adjustment, and verification (camber, caster, toe, thrust angle, SAI).
• Service tires and wheels, including dismount, mount, balance, repair, rotation, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) service.
• Diagnose tire wear, vibration, pull, drift, and noise concerns using systematic inspection and road-test procedures.
• Demonstrate safe work practices, including proper jack/jack stand use, lift point identification, spring compressor safety, and torque specifications for safety-critical fasteners.

Optional Outcomes

• Diagnose electronic suspension systems, including air suspension, magnetic ride control, and adaptive damping.
• Service active steering systems, including variable-effort steering and rear-wheel steering.
• Calibrate steering angle sensors and ADAS-related steering inputs after alignment service.
• Perform specialty alignments for performance vehicles, lifted/lowered vehicles, and trailer-tow setups.
• Diagnose and service run-flat tires and self-sealing tire systems.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Suspension System Theory: Vehicle dynamics, sprung vs. unsprung weight, ride frequency, roll/pitch/yaw, jounce and rebound.
• Front Suspension Types: Short-long arm (SLA/double wishbone), MacPherson strut, multi-link; component identification and service procedures.
• Rear Suspension Types: Solid axle, independent rear suspension (IRS), semi-trailing arm, multi-link.
• Springs and Dampers: Coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, air springs; shock absorbers and struts (gas, hydraulic, electronic).
• Steering System Theory: Ackermann angle, steering ratio, return-to-center, on-center feel.
• Manual and Hydraulic Power Steering: Steering gear types, power steering pump, fluid service, hose and cooler service.
• Electric Power Steering (EPS): Column-mount, rack-mount, and pinion-mount EPS; torque sensor diagnosis; module operation.
• Wheel Alignment: Camber, caster, toe, thrust angle, SAI, included angle; pre-alignment inspection; adjustment procedures; alignment specifications.
• Tires and Wheels: Tire construction, sidewall markings, load and speed ratings, mounting/balancing, rotation patterns, repair procedures.
• TPMS: Direct and indirect TPMS systems, sensor relearn procedures, sensor service and replacement.
• Safety: Spring compressor procedures, lift point identification, fastener torque specifications, ride-quality verification.

Optional Topics

• Electronic Suspension: Air suspension, magnetic ride control, adaptive damping, height sensors and modules.
• Active and Variable-Effort Steering: Speed-sensitive power steering, rear-wheel steering systems.
• ADAS and Steering Calibration: Steering angle sensor calibration, target alignment for camera-based ADAS systems.
• Performance and Custom Alignments: Lifted/lowered vehicles, performance setups, asymmetric alignment.

Resources & Tools

• Alignment Equipment: 4-wheel alignment rack with imaging or sensor heads (Hunter, John Bean, or equivalent)
• Tire Service Equipment: Tire mounting machine (with TPMS-safe technology), wheel balancer, tire repair patches, TPMS relearn tools
• Suspension Tools: Coil spring compressors, ball joint press, tie rod separators (pickle forks), MacPherson strut compressor
• Scan Tools: Bidirectional scan tools for EPS, electronic suspension, and steering angle sensor calibration
• Service Information: AllData, Mitchell1 ProDemand, OEM service portals; alignment specifications database
• Reference Standards: ASE Education Foundation Task List (current edition); SAE wheel/tire standards; tire industry guidelines (USTMA, RMA)
• Recommended Texts: Today's Technician: Automotive Suspension and Steering Systems (Erjavec), or current ASE-aligned texts
• FLDOE Curriculum Framework: Automotive Service Technology 2 (CIP 0647060406)

Career Pathways

Completion of AER0453C supports entry into and advancement within the following automotive service occupations:

• Alignment and Suspension Specialist — Specialized role at tire/auto chains (Tire Kingdom, Discount Tire, Pep Boys, Firestone Complete Auto Care).
• Automotive Service Technician (SOC 49-3023) — General-line technician where suspension and steering work is a core competency.
• Tire Service Technician — Mounts, balances, rotates, and repairs tires; performs basic alignments.
• Fleet Maintenance Technician — Services suspension/steering on commercial fleets, particularly delivery and last-mile vehicles where ride quality and tire wear are operating cost drivers.
• Performance/Custom Shop Technician — Specialty alignment and suspension work for modified vehicles.

Florida's high-mileage driving environment and infrastructure conditions create steady demand for suspension and alignment service across all metropolitan areas.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course aligns with the following industry-recognized credentials:

• ASE A4 – Suspension and Steering certification exam (primary alignment)
• ASE Education Foundation MLR/AST/MAST task lists for Suspension and Steering
• Tire Industry Association (TIA) Automotive Tire Service (ATS) certification — strong overlap with tire service competencies
• TPMS-Safe Operator training (recommended for tire technicians)

Program Context

AER0453C is part of the Automotive Service Technology 2 program sequence and covers the A4 ASE area exclusively. It pairs naturally with AER0418C (Brakes) — together these two courses cover the chassis-service work that represents a major share of independent shop revenue.

Articulation

Per Florida statewide articulation agreements, completion of the Automotive Service Technology PSAV program may articulate into the Automotive Service Management A.S. degree at participating Florida colleges. Students should consult the receiving institution for specific articulation credit awards.