Automotive Suspension / Steering Tools

Suspension and steering repair and diagnostic tools as well as wheel alignment tools and equipment are discussed in the following paragraphs. This discussion does not cover all of the tools you may need; rather, these tools are the most commonly used by the service industry. Details of when and how to use these tools are covered here.

Tire Tread Depth Gauge

A tire tread depth gauge measures tire tread depth.

This measurement should be taken at three or four locations around the tire's circumference to obtain an average tread depth. This gauge is used to deter mine the remaining life of a tire as well as for comparing wear of one tire to the other tires. It’s also used when making tire warranty adjustments.

Power Steering Pressure Gauge

A power steering pressure gauge is used to test the power steering pump pressure. This test is also important when checking hydraulic boost brake systems.

Because the power steering pump delivers extremely high pressure during this test, the recommended procedure in the vehicle manufacturer's service manual must be followed.

A pressure gauge with a shutoff valve is installed between the pump and the steering gear. Adapters are used to make good connections with the vehicle's power steering system.

Control Arm Bushing Tools

A variety of control arm bushing tools are available to remove and replace control arm bushings. Old bushings are pressed out of the control arm. A C-clamp tool can be used to remove the bushing. The C-clamp is installed over the bushing. An adapter is selected to fit on the bushing and push the bushing through the control arm. Turning the handle on the C-clamp pushes the bushing out of the control arm.

New bushings can be installed by driving or pressing them in place. Adapters are available for the C clamp tool to install the new bushings. After the correct adapters are selected, position the bushing and tool on the control arm. Turning the C-clamp handle pushes the bushing into the control arm.

Tie-Rod End and Ball Joint Puller

Some car manufacturers recommend a tie-rod end and ball joint puller to remove tie-rod ends and pull ball joint studs from the steering knuckle.

Ball joint removal and pressing tools are designed to remove and replace pressed-in ball joints on front suspension systems. Often these tools are used in conjunction with a hydraulic press. The size of the removal and pressing tool must match the size of the ball joint.

Some ball joints are riveted to the control arm and the rivets are drilled out for removal.

++++ A pitman arm puller is designed to remove the pitman arm from the pitman shaft.

Front Bearing Hub Tool

Front bearing hub tools are designed to remove and install front wheel bearings on FWD cars. These bearing hub tools are usually designed for a specific make of vehicle and the correct tools must be used for each application. Failure to do so may result in damage to the steering knuckle or hub. Also, the use of the wrong tool will waste quite a bit of your time.

Pitman Arm Puller

A pitman arm puller is a heavy-duty puller designed to remove the pitman arm from the pitman shaft. These pullers can also be used to separate tie-rod ends and ball joints.

Tie-Rod Sleeve-Adjusting Tool

A tie-rod sleeve-adjusting tool is required to rotate the tie-rod sleeves and perform some front wheel adjustments. Never use anything except a tie-rod adjusting tool to adjust the tie-rod sleeves. Tools such as pipe wrenches will damage the sleeves.

Steering Column Special Tool Set

A wheel puller is used to remove the steering wheel from its shaft. Mount the puller over the wheel's hub after the horn button and air bag have been removed.

Make sure you follow the recommendations exactly for air bag module removal. Screw the bolts into the threaded bores in the steering wheel. Then tighten the puller's center bolt against the steering wheel shaft until the steering wheel is free.

Special tools are also required to service the lock mechanism and ignition switch.

Shock Absorber Tools

Often shock absorbers can be removed with regular hand tools, but there are times when special tools may be necessary. The shocks are under the vehicle and are subject to dirt and moisture, which may make it difficult to loosen the mounting nut from the stud of the shock. Wrenches are available to hold the stud while attempting to loosen the nut. There are also tools for pneumatic chisels that help to work off the nut.

++++ A ball joint removal tool.

++++ A tie-rod sleeve-adjusting tool. SPX Service Solutions

++++ A spring compressor for a strut suspension.

++++ The technician is installing a brake pedal depressor; also note that a steering wheel lock is in place.

Spring/Strut Compressor Tool

Many types of coil spring compressor tools are avail able to the automotive service industry. These tools are designed to compress the coil spring and hold it in the compressed position while removing the strut from the coil spring, removing the spring from a short-long arm ( SLA) suspension, or performing other suspension work. Various types of spring compressor tools are required on different types of front suspension systems.

One type of spring compressor uses a threaded compression rod that fits through two plates, an upper and lower ball nut, a thrust washer, and a forcing nut. The two plates are positioned at either end of the spring. The compression rod fits through the plates with a ball nut at either end. The upper ball nut is pinned to the rod. The thrust washer and forcing nut are threaded onto the end of the rod. Turning the forcing nut draws the two plates together and com presses the spring.

There is a tremendous amount of energy in a com pressed coil spring. Never disconnect any suspension component that will suddenly release this tension.

This action could result in serious personal injury and vehicle or property damage.

++++ A computerized four-wheel alignment setup. RTI Technologies, Inc.

Power Steering Pump Pulley -- Special Tool Set

When a power steering pump pulley must be replaced, it should never be hammered off or on. Doing so will cause internal damage to the pump. Normally the pulley can be removed with a gear puller, although special pullers are available. To install a pulley, a special tool is used to press the pulley on without a press or the need to drive the pulley in place.

Brake Pedal Depressor

A brake pedal depressor must be installed between the front seat and the brake pedal to apply the brakes while checking some front wheel alignment angles to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Wheel Alignment Equipment- Four Wheel

Many automotive shops are equipped with a computerized four-wheel alignment machine that can check all front- and rear-wheel alignment angles quickly and accurately.

After vehicle information is keyed into the machine and the wheel units are installed, the machine must be compensated for wheel runout. When compensation is complete, alignment measurements are instantly displayed. Also displayed are the specifications for that vehicle. In addition to the normal alignment specifications, the screen may display asymmetric tolerances, different left- and right-side specifications, and cross specifications. (A difference is allowed between left and right sides.) Graphics and text on the screen show the technician where and how to make adjustments. As the adjustments are made on the vehicle, the technician can observe the center block slide toward the target. When the block aligns with the target, the adjustment is within half the specified tolerance.

Tire Changer

Tire changers are used to demount and mount tires.

A wide variety of tire changers are available, and each one has somewhat different operating procedures.

Always follow the procedure in the equipment opera tor's manual and the directions provided by your instructor.

Wheel Balancer-Electronic Type

The most commonly used wheel balancer requires that the tire/wheel assembly be taken off and mounted on the balancer's spindle. Weights are added to balance the tire/wheel assembly.

The wheel assembly is rotated at high speed and the machine indicates the amount of weight to be added and the location where the weights should be placed.

Several electronic dynamic/static balancer units are available that permit balancing while the wheel and tire are on the vehicle. Often a strobe light flashes at the heavy point of the tire and wheel assembly.

Wheel Weight Pliers

Wheel weight pliers are actually combination tools designed to install and remove clip-on lead wheel weights. The jaws of the pliers are designed to hook into a hole in the weight's bracket.

The pliers are then moved toward the outside of the wheel and the weight is pried off. On one side of the pliers is a plastic hammer head used to tap the weights onto the rim.

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