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ASE Automobile & Light Truck (A1–A8) — Practice Exam

A3 Drive axle: practice questions

Our ASE A1–A8 bank has 9 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

A growl that gets louder when the vehicle turns one way usually comes from what?

  1. The ring gear, from worn teeth on its drive side
  2. The pinion bearing
  3. The U-joint
  4. A wheel bearing on the side that is loaded in the turn
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D. A wheel bearing on the side that is loaded in the turn — Turning shifts load to the outer wheel's bearing.

Question 2 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

A limited-slip differential chatters in tight turns. What is a likely fix?

  1. Inflate the tires
  2. Adjust the ring and pinion backlash tighter by two thousandths
  3. Change the fluid and add the specified friction modifier
  4. Replace the U-joints
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C. Change the fluid and add the specified friction modifier — Worn clutch packs may need replacing if the fluid change doesn't help.

Question 3 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

What special lubricant do many clutch-type limited-slip differentials need?

  1. Engine oil
  2. Automatic transmission fluid (Dexron type)
  3. Gear oil with a friction modifier
  4. Brake fluid
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C. Gear oil with a friction modifier — Without it, the clutches can chatter in turns.

Question 4 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

What is a collapsible spacer used for in many differentials?

  1. Sealing the cover
  2. Setting ring gear backlash and side bearing preload
  3. Holding axle shafts in place
  4. Setting pinion bearing preload
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D. Setting pinion bearing preload — It is usually replaced, not reused, when the pinion is serviced.

Question 5 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

What does a vent on a drive axle housing prevent?

  1. Fluid overheating
  2. Water and dirt from entering and cooling the gears
  3. Gear backlash changes
  4. Pressure build-up that forces fluid past the seals
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D. Pressure build-up that forces fluid past the seals — A plugged vent can cause seal leaks.

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