This is the second year in the three-year Automotive Technology program at Waltham High School. This year the students will study all aspects of brake, steering, and suspension systems. A strong emphasis is placed on theory and diagnosis, as well as the actual repair of the system. Students will use the latest equipment including brake lathes, an electronic wheel balancer, the Hunter alignment machine, and a Snap-On Modis diagnostic computer scanner. Work will be performed on bench mounted mock-ups, donated shop cars, and customer cars. In addition to performing the work, students will also interact with the customers in order to improve communication skills and develop a diagnostic strategy.
Unit | Timeframe | Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) | Major Learning Experiences from Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
Shop safety, brake system operation, brake hydraulics | September 4 Weeks | Review of Safety Instruction Brake System Operation | Shop regulations, review lifts and jacks, safety tests Types of brakes, brake fluid properties, friction, asbestos handling procedures |
Hydraulic systems cont., Power boosters | October 4 Weeks | Brake Hydraulic Systems Power Brake Boosters | Pascal’s Law, master cylinder service, brake bleeding procedures, proportioning, pressure differential and metering valves. Fabricating brake lines Vacuum booster operation, hydro-boost operation, servicing power boost systems |
Drum brake systems, Disc brake systems | November 4 Weeks | Diagnosing and Repairing Drum Brake Systems Diagnosing and Repairing Disc Brake Systems | Drum brake operation, self adjusting systems, machining drums, adjusting drum brakes, drum brake diagnosis Disc brake operation, servicing disc brake calipers, machining rotors, diagnosing disc brake problems |
Parking brakes, antilock brake systems | December 4 Weeks | Diagnosing and Repairing Parking Brake Systems Antilock Brake Systems | Parking brake construction, parking brake adjustments, diagnosing the parking brake Antilock brake system (ABS) operation, diagnosing and repairing ABS brakes including use of scanner, traction control systems |
Tires and wheels | January 4 Weeks | Mid-Term, Brake Systems Tire and Wheel Service | Review of brakes. Mid-term exam covering brake systems. Tire construction, identify tire markings, tire and wheel removal and installation, wheel balancing, servicing tires and wheels |
Front suspension systems | February 4 Weeks | Front Suspension Systems SLA and Mcpherson struts | Identify front suspension systems and parts, service McPherson struts, wheel bearing service, ball joint service |
Rear suspension systems | March 4 Weeks | Rear Suspension Systems Wheel Alignment Service | Identify rear suspension systems and parts, service rear suspension Pre-alignment inspection, alignment service, 4-wheel alignment, rear wheel adjustments, front wheel adjustments |
Wheel alignment Begin steering systems | April 4 Weeks | Wheel Alignment Service (Cont.) Automotive Steering Systems | Wheel alignment theory, caster, camber, toe, SAI, toe-out on turns Types of steering systems, power assist steering systems, identify and service steering components, 4-wheel steering systems |
Steering systems | May 4 Weeks | Automotive Steering Systems (Cont.) | Electric steering systems |
June | Preview Year End Review Final Exam | Review disk and drum brakes, electronic brake control, tires, steering, and suspension. Final Exam covering all topics studied during the year. |