Question

The driver of a truck says that it is hard to steer and the steering wheel return is poor. Technician A says that binding kingpins could be the cause. Technician B says that too much toe-in could be the cause. Who is right?

(A) A only (C) Both A and B
(B) B only (D) Neither A nor B

Answer 1

Both binding kingpins and too much toe-in can cause hard steering and poor steering wheel return in a truck, making both Technician A and Technician B's assessments correct. The correct answer is (C) Both A and B.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Steering Issues in Vehicles

The question posed is about the difficulty in steering and poor steering wheel return in a truck.

Specifically, we're asked to evaluate the validity of two technicians' opinions: Technician A, who suggests that binding kingpins could be the culprit, and Technician B, who points to too much toe-in as a potential cause.

Binding kingpins can certainly cause steering issues. Kingpins are essential components of the steering mechanism on heavy vehicles like trucks, allowing the wheels to pivot as the steering wheel is turned. If the kingpins are not properly lubricated or if they are damaged, they can bind, leading to hard steering and insufficient return to the central position after a turn.

Too much toe-in refers to the alignment of the wheels, specifically when the fronts of the wheels are closer to each other than the rears. Excessive toe-in can result in increased friction against the direction of steering, also contributing to hard steering and poor return since the wheels are effectively 'fighting' against the natural straight-line position.

Both conditions could contribute to the symptoms described, making both Technician A and Technician B correct in their assessments. Therefore, the appropriate response to the question would be (C) Both A and B.