ASE Drive Train (T3) Practice Exam

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• A truck with a single countershaft, synchronized transmission shows a rough, uneven sound in one of the lower gears. A gear tooth is broken. Who is right about the cause?
• Which component provides the initial matching of gear speeds to prevent grinding?
• In a single countershaft, synchronized transmission, if only one gear tooth is broken, what does that indicate about the cause?
• What is the proper fluid to use in a hydraulic clutch system?
• Which of the following is NOT a method to detect differential fluid contamination?
• What is a common symptom of a worn wheel bearing?
• Which condition would most likely cause poor shifting and pressure problems in the transmission?
• Backlash in gear sets is typically measured with which instrument?
• Which gear set carries the load and is most affected by load, thus most likely to wear under driving conditions?
• What is a practical method to verify the source of driveline vibration during diagnosis?
• In a heavy-duty twin countershaft transmission, which gear floats between the countershaft gears when disengaged?
• What is backlash in a gear set, and how is it measured?
• What is the purpose of synchronizers in a manual transmission?
• What is the purpose of a CV boot?
• What maintenance actions are required because transmission oil expands with temperature?
• There are three differentials in a tandem axle arrangement. The differential most susceptible for spin-out failure is the
• Which components in an automatic transmission are responsible for applying friction to engage gear sets?
• At what horsepower rating is a transmission oil cooler typically required?
• Why is driveshaft alignment important after replacing U-joints?
• Technician A says an auxiliary transmission is used when a higher gear ratio is needed. Technician B says the auxiliary transmission is attached to the differential. Who is correct?
• If a clutch disc is worn and replacement occurs, which components should be checked for condition or warping to ensure proper engagement?
• Which technician's statement is correct regarding an automated transmission?
• What tool is used to measure the differential backlash during servicing?
• Where is gear oil typically observed as a sign of a leaking pinion seal?
• A driver reports that the clutch pedal does not return from the floor with no external issues found. Which could be the cause?
• Which statement correctly describes interference gears?
• The driver experiences grinding when shifting between fourth and fifth gears during a range shift. All of the following could be the cause EXCEPT
• What is the function of the final drive in a drive train?
• When diagnosing drive problems in heavy trucks with tandem drive axles, how many differentials are typically present?
• A technician is measuring the torque required to rotate the pinion on a drive axle using a spring scale. Technician A says to start with the parts stationary, and read the scale while gradually increasing the tension on it. Technician B says to rotate the pinion and pull it at a slow steady speed while reading the scale. Who is right?
• Which statement correctly describes the effect of the final drive ratio on vehicle performance?
• As transmission oil temperature increases, what happens to the oil level?
• When inspecting for proper clutch linkage adjustments, which statement is correct about pedal free play?
• A hydraulic clutch slave cylinder is being replaced. What should the technician do first?
• After break-in, oil change intervals for on-highway use are typically around what distance?
• A two-plate pull-type clutch engages properly, but the transmission grinds when shifting from neutral into gear. Which technician is right about the likely cause?
• When a clutch with an organic lining fails to grab and the engine seems to race with reduced power, the proper first correction is to
• A crows foot pattern on the drive side ring gear teeth indicates:
• Harsh clutch engagement with a ceramic facing can occur if which conditions are present?
• When a clutch assembly is being replaced and heat marks are found on the flywheel surface, Technician A says to try to remove the marks with an emery cloth first. Technician B says if the emery cloth fails to remove the marks, the flywheel must be replaced. Who is correct?
• Which component carries the hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder toward the slave cylinder?
• Which statement is true about planetary axles in trucks?
• If heat marks on the flywheel cannot be removed with an emery cloth, what is the next recommended step?
• Technician A says worm gears are rarely used in truck drivetrains. Technician B says spur gears are used for maximum strength with minimal weight. Who is right?
• Which path describes the air flow when shifting the splitter?
• What can an incorrect transmission fluid fill level cause?
• What factors influence the correct gear oil viscosity selection for a differential or transmission?
• Which component directs air to shift the splitter piston inside the splitter cylinder?
• If a CV boot is torn, what is a likely immediate consequence?
• Which planetary axle is most commonly used in trucks?
• How does a torque converter differ from a clutch?
• Which manual transmission configuration is most popular in today's heavy-duty trucks?
• If the differential uses an arrangement that reduces wheel slip by equalizing torque between wheels, which type is it?
• To correctly determine the gear ratio when there is no documentation, which method is correct?
• In a hydraulic clutch system, which component is directly responsible for moving the release mechanism when the clutch pedal is pressed?
• A technician is rebuilding a drive axle. In what order should he make these adjustments?
• What are standard maintenance steps to prevent differential leaks?
• In differential maintenance, what does backlash refer to?
• How do you confirm a pinion seal is leaking?
• Transmission temperature sensors are normally what type of sensor?
• A universal joint has failed prematurely. The most likely cause is
• Which statement is true regarding wheel end systems?
• If the transmission bell housing is misaligned with the engine crankshaft, what problem could occur?
• What is the function of the pinion seal?
• How does an open differential differ from a limited-slip differential?
• Which wheel end system is a complete packaged system with bearings, seals, and lubricant?
• Technician A says the PTO is designed to power accessories such as a dump body. Technician B says the transfer case redirects power to the front axle. Who is right?
• What is the drive axle's main function?
• Name the major components of a hydraulic clutch system.
• What is drive shaft phasing and why is it important?
• Which factor is not typically considered when selecting gear oil viscosity?
• What does the term 'free play' refer to in a manual clutch system?
• For a drivetrain vibration that occurs in the lower gears due to excessive driveshaft operating angles, what is the recommended action if suspension bushings are worn?
• Which component should be suspected defective if the truck starts in any gear without depressing the clutch?
• What does the final drive ratio describe?
• A medium truck with a two-plate clutch and synchronized transmission has difficulty shifting into every forward gear and grinds when going into reverse. The most likely cause is:
• What is the function of the clutch release bearing?
• What is the typical oil change interval for an over-the-road transmission after the break-in period?
• What is the primary function of the transfer case in a four-wheel-drive system?
• What is a common sign of a differential fluid leak?
• How do manual and automatic transmissions differ in terms of driver input?
• Excessive engine crankshaft end-play can cause which problem in the transmission installation?
• To reduce backlash in a PTO installation, what adjustment can be made?
• Which of the following is NOT a common driveline vibration source?
• Excessive clutch slip can cause heat distortion of which components?
• Besides clicking noises, what is another sign of a failing CV joint?
• Which term describes the gear ratio between the ring gear and the pinion gear in the differential?
• An older truck with a two-piece driveshaft shows drivetrain vibration that is noticeable primarily in lower gears. Which explanation is correct?
• Which condition is the most common cause of driveline vibration after a U-joint replacement?
• What is the primary function of the differential in a drive axle?
• Which component in the hydraulic clutch system is typically actuated by the clutch pedal to initiate clutch operation?
• Drive gears and pinions are tested and marked at the time of manufacture to detect machining variances and to obtain desirable tooth contact and quietness. This procedure is performed to
• A 13-speed transmission exhibits wear in the shift fork on the yoke bar that shifts the splitter and in the shift collar surfaces. The most likely problem is:
• Another name for a power divider would be?
• Which problem is the least likely to cause a differential to be noisy only on turns?
• What component is used to slow down or speed up rotating speed of the clutch disc, transmission input shaft, countershaft and its gears?
• What lubrication arrangement do outboard planetary axles require?
• Which component has no separate oil supply in a tandem-axle drivetrain?
• In a transmission that has been taken apart, all bearings are excessively worn. Which statements are correct?
• As transmission temperature increases, what happens to a thermistor's resistance?
• Which statement about automated transmission fault behavior is correct?
• Which statement describes drive shaft phasing?
• Which operating condition does NOT indicate that a truck would operate more reliably with a transmission oil cooler?
• What is a slip yoke and what does it allow?
• Which of the following could cause a transmission to jump out of direct gear, EXCEPT:
• After overhaul of the front differential carrier assembly on a tandem axle, which action should NOT be performed?
• What is the function of a synchronizer?
• Which statement about twin countershaft design was developed to shorten gearbox length?
• What is the role of wheel bearings in a drive train?
• Which condition would indicate incorrect pinion depth or backlash, potentially worsening differential noise?
• What information does a road test provide when diagnosing driveline problems?
• Which of the following is a sign indicating a failing CV joint?
• Why should you avoid mixing different types or viscosities of gear oil in a differential?
• Ceramic clutch facings tend to grab more suddenly than organic facings. Which statement best reflects this characteristic?
• Float shifting can be performed with little or no transmission damage if done carefully.
• Technicians A and B discuss driveshaft torsional vibration. Technician A says it can be caused by engine torque spikes. Technician B says torsional vibration is a twisting motion of the driveshaft. Who is right?
• Which symptom might indicate excessive backlash in a differential?
• A truck with a splitter cylinder cover exhibits a constant flow of air from the exhaust port. Which issue is most likely responsible?
• A single-axle tractor with a long driveshaft experiences a shift in top speed due to a change in overdrive ratio. Which statement is correct?
• What is the primary function of the manual transmission input shaft?
• Which component is not part of a splitter shift system in a truck?
• After replacing the range shift slave valve, which statement accurately describes the correct condition?
• What could cause differential noise to worsen when turning?
• In a manual transmission, a grinding noise is heard when the vehicle is in neutral and idling, but the noise disappears when the clutch pedal is pressed. What is the most likely worn component?
• A driveline clunking noise during acceleration or deceleration is most commonly associated with a failing which component?
• What is the function of the detent spring in a manual shift mechanism?
• A driveshaft exhibits vibration across all speeds and loads. The most likely cause is
• Which component is used to control the range shift in a manual transmission?
• A manual shift transmission slips out of fifth gear. What is the most likely cause?
• What symptom is most indicative of a slipping clutch?
• A truck with a high-torque, low-rpm engine exhibits a great deal of gear noise and spline wear on drivetrain parts. The truck uses a rigid disc clutch. The most likely cause is:
• The tires on one side of a drive axle are 2 inches taller than the tires on the other side. This condition could cause which problem?
• If a detent spring is broken, what occurs when shifting into top gear?
• Which gear type is rarely used in truck drivetrains?
• What role do shift forks and sleeves play during a manual transmission shift?
• What is a common diagnostic step if an automatic transmission won't shift?
• What is the valve body on an automatic transmission?
• In a constant mesh transmission, shifting without depressing the clutch pedal is possible under proper technique. What is this practice called?
• Which component in an automatic transmission directs hydraulic pressure to clutches, bands, and solenoids?
• What is a universal joint (U-joint) and where is it typically used?
• Which of the following statements about fault code retrieval are correct?
• A crescent-shaped mark running along the length of a gear tooth is called a beach mark and indicates shock load.
• A single universal joint between two shafts will turn at a constant speed. Which statement is correct?
• Which statement best describes the effect of pinion depth and backlash on differential gear mesh?
• In a synchronized transmission, dirty alignment lugs on the intermediate plate can cause which problem?
• What is the main function of the clutch brake?
• What is a typical cause of transmission slipping under load in an automatic?
• What is the difference between interference and non-interference gears?
• What is the key difference between a CV joint and a U-joint?
• A fleet wants to convert from an overdrive top gear to a direct-drive transmission to maintain similar engine rpm per mile. To achieve this, what should be changed?
• What might a burnt transmission odor indicate?
• The driver of a truck with a single rear axle says he hears too much rear axle noise only when the truck is pulling. Which is the most likely cause?
• What is a planetary gear set, and where is it commonly used?
• A truck has a lot of gear noise when idling in neutral and a dampened clutch disc was installed about 200,000 miles ago. Which condition is LEAST likely to cause the problem?
• What is the function of a transfer case in four-wheel-drive systems?
• What symptom commonly indicates worn synchronizers?
• bearing wear can be caused by high lubricant temperature thinning the oil. Which condition would most likely contribute to this wear?
• Which shaft carries gears that mesh with both the input and output gears to provide multiple gear ratios?
• What condition would most likely cause a transmission to slip under load?
• The shift lever on a single countershaft transmission is hard to move. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
• Why are pinion depth and backlash critical in differential gear mesh?
• A driveshaft exhibits vibration that occurs only at certain speeds under normal loads. The most likely cause is
• Which installation error most commonly leads to driveline vibration after U-joint replacement?
• What is the primary purpose of a synchronizer?
• A PTO experiencing a whining noise is most likely caused by which condition?
• Most highway vehicle manufacturers recommend an initial transmission oil change after the break-in period at which mileage range?
• What is the purpose of changing the rear axle lubricant shortly after overhaul?
• What is the primary reason for applying proper torque on differential covers during maintenance?
• A grinding noise is heard when the clutch pedal is depressed. What is the most likely cause?
• How is differential backlash typically checked during servicing?
• What is a typical symptom of a failing U-joint?
• What component directly meshes with the input shaft to provide multiple gear ratios in a manual transmission?
• Which statement about torque measurement for the pinion is true?
• In non-synchronized transmissions, what is the primary purpose of the clutch brake?
• Semi-automated transmissions are designed to:
• What safety precautions should you follow when inspecting or repairing the driveline?
• In a manual transmission, after gear engagement, torque flows to which component?
• A transmission housing will not seat flat against the clutch housing. What could be the cause?
• How can you detect differential contamination without disassembly?
• Which statement is true about driveshafts with respect to critical speed?