A.S.E. Questions...

[cammed goat]

I am going to be registering for the A.S.E. exams soon and I need to know, from A.S.E. folks here, which test should I go for first? I have heard Steering/Suspension would be good as I know how to align cars. Others have told me to start off with Brakes as I do these jobs at work as well. I started out in the field back in August of 95 and I think it is time for me to move up.

What is your input?

[310stanger]

I am going to be registering for the A.S.E. exams soon and I need to know, from A.S.E. folks here, which test should I go for first? I have heard Steering/Suspension would be good as I know how to align cars. Others have told me to start off with Brakes as I do these jobs at work as well. I started out in the field back in August of 95 and I think it is time for me to move up.

What is your input?

Brakes is the easiest. They also have study guides for you to refer to. However merely take these tests doesnt necessarily make you actually "know" the stuff. It wont necessarily move you up either. In order to pass the tests you may have to do a lot of studying or even enroll in some classes at a community college. I also found the best way to move up at your job is to step up and take on bigger jobs. Tackle stuff you wouldnt normally do. Thats how you progress.

These tests are formatted in the form of trick questions a good part of the time and are gonna look really familiar to the standardized tests you took in school as a kid. So thats what you are in for.

But yes, the brakes and steering and suspension would be the easiest so to speak.

[310stanger]

What exactly is your skill level man? I'd be able to tell you what kind of moves you should be making a lot easier. I'm 27, got in the business in like late 01? Yeah I think late 01 lol I'm now a low B tech and its been a fairly long hard road, but I basically went to 2 yrs of votech in HS, got my foot in the door at a dealership as an oil change bitch at 19, and just been progressing ever since. You gotta dig in. You can have all the ASE tests in the world, and ask for more money but if you tell them you are some kind of high level tech and then they ask you to do work you can't do, you are in for some shit.... I've seen this happen.

[cammed goat]

I took a class in high school called "small engine repair" which was basically mower and moped engines, but I never touched those. I was under the hoods of cars/trucks and learning about tune-ups, strut/shock replacement, helping drop manual transmissions and replacing my teacher's clutch. I also helped pull motors from donated cars and we tore them down to the bare block. Took that course for 3-1/2 years and pulled A's all those years. The jobs I had since high school were oil changes and mounting/balancing tires. But they never let me do any of the things I learned in high school. I had to be careful at my last job as the owner enjoyed making everyone work on up to 5 ars at once and if the customers wanted their cars back in a certain time, my boss would complain about us working too slow not realizing we were short-staffed and the shop was small. Now, where I am working, I am doing tires, oil changes, alignments, and brakes but I haven't had to replace calipers or install shims yet. I have known my manager for 12 years as we are old friends and worked together before at Sears. He knows my potential and he wants me to take the exams to make more money. I don't argue with the work. I even taught him about the older Explorers which have that issue with the axle nut coming loose in the rear. He didn't know about that and was like "WTF??!!" So this new job is allowing me to learn and work at my best. It's like everything I have learned, at all the jobs that didn't allow me to grow, I can do at my current job. I would like to go into wiring eventually.

Alternator replacement
Suspension component replacement
Clutch replacement
Exhaust replacement
Alignment
Brake service

^^what I have learned so far in 15 years. Not much IMO.

[310stanger]

Take on those alternator jobs. See some oil leakage on just an oil pan, sell a reseal. That sort of shit. Axle seals, do em. Pull a trans. Do some belts. Check for leaking or busted water pumps. All that work I mentioned will get you to move up and show your skills. Its all upsell that pays well too.

[310stanger]

Can you cut rotors? become a master at the brake lathes

[importhater81]

I am going to be registering for the A.S.E. exams soon and I need to know, from A.S.E. folks here, which test should I go for first? I have heard Steering/Suspension would be good as I know how to align cars. Others have told me to start off with Brakes as I do these jobs at work as well. I started out in the field back in August of 95 and I think it is time for me to move up.

What is your input?

Is your employer paying for the tests?If so why not study up and take all 8.
If you're paying,then just take the ones you feel confident about passing.

I found the the most straight forward,easiest of the ASE's were Suspension,Engine Repair,and Electrical Systems.Brakes wasn't that bad but there are a lot of ABS questions on it...it's not strictly about hydraulics,pads,rotors,shoes and drums.

[cammed goat]

Is your employer paying for the tests?If so why not study up and take all 8.
If you're paying,then just take the ones you feel confident about passing.

I found the the most straight forward,easiest of the ASE's were Suspension,Engine Repair,and Electrical Systems.Brakes wasn't that bad but there are a lot of ABS questions on it...it's not strictly about hydraulics,pads,rotors,shoes and drums.

My employer pays for them as well. I have to ask my manager how I can have mine payed for. Registration deadline is the 31st of this month. Gotta get the ball rolling ASAP.

[cammed goat]

Can you cut rotors? become a master at the brake lathes

I am still learning that.

[OreoLt1]

IMO, HVAC, electrical, and brakes were easy. I'd say the tougher of them all is probably L1 and auto trans.

Side note: is it just me or does it seem like these days the ASE's mean less and less to people/employers? I've seen numerous people take and pass the tests but look like a fool when it comes down to the job.

[cammed goat]

IMO, HVAC, electrical, and brakes were easy. I'd say the tougher of them all is probably L1 and auto trans.

Side note: is it just me or does it seem like these days the ASE's mean less and less to people/employers? I've seen numerous people take and pass the tests but look like a fool when it comes down to the job.

I have had a few folks tell me I am wasting my time taking A.S.E. exams, but with the company I work for, A.S.E.s mean commission.

I just hope I pass. I am a "hands-on" learner. Book smart...not so much.

[310stanger]

IMO, HVAC, electrical, and brakes were easy. I'd say the tougher of them all is probably L1 and auto trans.

Side note: is it just me or does it seem like these days the ASE's mean less and less to people/employers? I've seen numerous people take and pass the tests but look like a fool when it comes down to the job.

The only time ASE's are worth shit imo is if they infact get you a higher rate then you would normally or a pay raise. The 3 shops I worked at, ALL dealers, like 90 percent of the guys WERENT ASE certified.

[310stanger]

ASE's apply more to independent places and chain parts stores because they need something to distinguish themselves from the other guy. I think people put way too much stock in them period and should worry more about actually working on cars.

[310stanger]

I have had a few folks tell me I am wasting my time taking A.S.E. exams, but with the company I work for, A.S.E.s mean commission.

I just hope I pass. I am a "hands-on" learner. Book smart...not so much.

Dude dig in, and learn from the good guys in your shop. If they are willing to teach you something, or coach you threw a job, take their advice and learn what you can. You must have been really held back at your old jobs if they wouldnt let you do anything and you spent 15 yrs to get to this point. I hope this new place works for you

[cammed goat]

Dude dig in, and learn from the good guys in your shop. If they are willing to teach you something, or coach you threw a job, take their advice and learn what you can. You must have been really held back at your old jobs if they wouldnt let you do anything and you spent 15 yrs to get to this point. I hope this new place works for you

Yup. The Master techs were VERY territorial when it came to work. I was denied doing alignments or alternator/belt replacements as I was "stealing their money". Where I am now, everyone is like "RICH...YA DOING ANYTHING? GET OVER HERE!!" and we are installing/removing pads/rotors. Or they are watching me while I am aligning cars. It's a good team there.

[310stanger]

Yup. The Master techs were VERY territorial when it came to work. I was denied doing alignments or alternator/belt replacements as I was "stealing their money". Where I am now, everyone is like "RICH...YA DOING ANYTHING? GET OVER HERE!!" and we are installing/removing pads/rotors. Or they are watching me while I am aligning cars. It's a good team there.

So if you saw a cracked belt they would take the job from you? Thats fuckin bullshit. Alignments, belts and alternators is C tech work at that. Were these places that slow that the old timers would get that cranky over those jobs?

[310stanger]

Yup. The Master techs were VERY territorial when it came to work. I was denied doing alignments or alternator/belt replacements as I was "stealing their money". Where I am now, everyone is like "RICH...YA DOING ANYTHING? GET OVER HERE!!" and we are installing/removing pads/rotors. Or they are watching me while I am aligning cars. It's a good team there.

If it doesnt work out there, try and get an entry level spot at a dealer, most dealers if you have some skills and can do what you said you can do, are willing to let you progress and you can learn a heck of a lot. I've encountered a lot of old timers that are more then willing to teach you things if you have a good attitude and are not afraid to try a tougher job. They want you to do the harder shit as they want more "gravy work" anyways.

[cammed goat]

So if you saw a cracked belt they would take the job from you? Thats fuckin bullshit. Alignments, belts and alternators is C tech work at that. Were these places that slow that the old timers would get that cranky over those jobs?

Yup. If I sold a belt, the techs would bitch to management. Back when I worked for Sears, I had an F350 PowerStroke come in for batteries/charging system scan. I found out both batteries were weak and the alternator wasn't charging like it should. Sold the belt, both batteries and the alt. The lead tech bitched after he told me "it didn't pay enough" and I replaced everything sold. I was pulled into the office and told never do that again, despite the lead tech's remarks. I got a nice tip from the customer though.

[cammed goat]

If it doesnt work out there, try and get an entry level spot at a dealer, most dealers if you have some skills and can do what you said you can do, are willing to let you progress and you can learn a heck of a lot. I've encountered a lot of old timers that are more then willing to teach you things if you have a good attitude and are not afraid to try a tougher job. They want you to do the harder shit as they want more "gravy work" anyways.

Oh these guys don't want me to leave. They WANT me to get certified. Hell, they want to help me install the rear I had rebuilt.

[310stanger]

Oh these guys don't want me to leave. They WANT me to get certified. Hell, they want to help me install the rear I had rebuilt.

You should do that rear, the one time I was under a GTO it looked really easy to R&R. That would be a good experience for you.