VTM-104 Brakes, Steering, Suspension, and Wheel Alignment

Course Description: The course covers operation and repair of drum/disc type brake systems, theory and operation of automotive suspension and steering systems including wheel problem diagnosis, component repair, and wheel alignment procedures.

A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The student will be able to:

1. Identify safety and occupational health requirements in the specific trade area being studied.
2. Use specified hand and power tools.
3. Read and interpret information from technical drawing related to the respective trade.
4. Perform hand skills in their respective trade.
5. Participate in their respective trade.

B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:         
The student will be able to:

1. Explain hydraulic principles and theory of brake operation.
2. Perform brake system diagnosis, service, and maintenance.
3. Define manual and power steering theory, suspension system, wheel alignment, and perform steering and suspension checks / services.

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO’s)-SPECIFIC:
The student will be able to:

General SLO 1: Explain hydraulic principles and theory of brake operation.

General SLO 2: Perform brake system diagnosis, service, and maintenance.

General SLO 3: Define manual and power steering theory, suspension system, wheel alignment, and perform steering and suspension checks / services.

D. COURSE CONTENT

1. Brake operation principles
   • Cover brake theory and hydraulic principles, disc and drum brakes operation, and power-assisted brakes theory.
2. Brakes system diagnosis and repair
   • Deal with brake system problem diagnosis, brake bleeding procedures, vacuum booster testing, anti-lock brake operation
3. Fundamentals of steering; manual and power steering
   • Cover topics on conventional steering linkage mechanism and rack and pinion steering
4. Theory of suspension system
   • Independent and non-independent suspension, conventional shock absorbers and MacPherson struts
5. Suspension system diagnosis and repair
   • Diagnosis of suspension systems, replacement, repair, and maintenance.

Computer Aided Instruction
Practical/Experimentation
Lecture/Demonstration

F.  REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Calculator
Halderman, J. and Mitchell, C., (2002) Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 2nd Edition. Pearson Education, Prentice Hall, U.S.A (or most recent edition).
Toolkit

G.  REFERENCE MATERIALS
Halderman, J. and Mitchell, C., (2002) Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 2nd Edition. Pearson Education, Prentice Hall, U.S.A (or most recent edition).
Videos and animated graphics from various sources such as: CDX Automotive Resource Kit, Jones & Bartlett Learning, 40 Tall Pine Drive Sudbury, MA, 01776 USA, http://www.cdxglobal.com/products/topiclist_ark.html and How stuff works, http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car.htm;

H.  INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None

I.   EVALUATION
Students must achieve 70% mastery or a “C” grade to pass this course.

J.   CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None