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

A3 Transaxle: 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

What is the first sign a CV joint is about to fail?

  1. A clicking noise from the transmission pump
  2. An oil leak at the valve cover
  3. A grinding brake
  4. A torn or leaking boot
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D. A torn or leaking boot — Replacing a boot early can save the joint.

Question 2 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

Why must the axle nut on many FWD hubs be torqued to specification and often replaced?

  1. It sets the hub bearing preload and is a one-time-use fastener
  2. It sets wheel alignment
  3. It keeps the brake rotor from spinning on the hub and sets wheel runout
  4. It holds the CV boot clamp
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A. It sets the hub bearing preload and is a one-time-use fastener — Follow the maker's torque and staking instructions.

Question 3 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

A clunk or shudder on acceleration in a straight line on a FWD vehicle usually points to which part?

  1. A wheel bearing
  2. The steering rack
  3. An inner (plunge) CV joint
  4. An outer CV joint with a torn boot
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C. An inner (plunge) CV joint — Inner joints allow the axle to change length.

Question 4 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

What is a sign of a worn engine-transaxle mount on a FWD car?

  1. Brake pulsation
  2. Clunking on acceleration and excess engine movement
  3. Hard steering
  4. Grinding into gear only when cold, with normal shifts once warm
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B. Clunking on acceleration and excess engine movement — Watch engine movement as a helper shifts between drive and reverse with brakes held.

Question 5 · A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles

What does a transaxle combine in one housing?

  1. The engine, clutch and transmission
  2. The clutch and flywheel
  3. The transmission and the differential
  4. The steering and suspension
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C. The transmission and the differential — Common on front-wheel-drive vehicles.

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