AURLTD3006
Carry out wheel alignment operations (light vehicle)

This unit identifies the competence required to carry out wheel alignment operations.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in some jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant regulatory authority.

Application

The unit includes identification and confirmation of work requirement, preparation for work, carrying out wheel alignment operations and completion of work finalisation processes, including clean-up and documentation.

This unit of competence should be contextualised to the qualification to which it is being applied.

Wheel alignment operations may be for light vehicles and motorcycles.

Work requires individuals to demonstrate judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Carry out wheel alignment pre-checks

1.1. Information is gained from customer outlining handling characteristics and history

1.2. Nature and scope of work requirements are identified and confirmed

1.3. Procedures and information such as workshop manuals and specifications, and tooling required, are sourced

1.4. Vehicle/equipment tests are performed to confirm need for alignment

1.5. Vehicle wheel alignment pre-checks are carried out in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier procedures and workplace requirements

2. Perform vehicle wheel alignment

2.1. Correct information is accessed and interpreted from manufacturer/component supplier specifications

2.2. Wheel alignment measuring equipment is connected to vehicle in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier specifications

2.3. Wheel alignment is completed without causing damage to any component or system

2.4. Corrective adjustments/repairs are carried out in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier specifications

2.5. Vehicle/equipment is tested to confirm accuracy of adjustments according to manufacturer/component supplier specifications and customer requirements

2.6. Wheel alignment testing and adjustment is carried out according to industry regulations/guidelines, WHS legislation, legislation and enterprise procedures/policies

2.7. Customer is notified of any major problem(s) prior to rework being carried out

2.8. Workplace documentation is completed and dealt with relevant to alignment outcomes

3. Complete documentation and service history documents

3.1. Service history is updated in accordance with workplace requirements

3.2. Before and after alignment measurements are documented and included in customer documentation

3.3. Job card is processed in accordance with workplace procedures

Required Skills

Required skills

apply research and interpretive skills sufficient to locate, interpret and apply manufacturer/component supplier procedures, workplace policies and procedures

apply analytical skills for identification and analysis of technical information

apply plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with customers and team members

apply questioning and active listening skills for example when obtaining information from customers

apply oral communication skills sufficient to convey information and concepts to customers

apply planning and organising skills to own work activities, including making good use of time and resources, sorting out priorities and monitoring own performance

interact effectively with other persons both on a one-to-one basis and in groups, including understanding and responding to the needs of a customer and working effectively as a member of a team to achieve a shared goal

establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and avoid wastage

use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly calculate time, assess tolerances, apply accurate measurements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks

use workplace technology, including the use of measuring equipment, computerised technology and communication devices and the documenting/recording of results

Required knowledge

A working knowledge of:

WHS regulations/requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements

operating principles of steering geometry and wheel alignment

wheel alignment procedures

relationships between fault symptoms and component defects

frame alignment checks

wheel alignment system types and their construction

use of measuring tools and testing equipment

use of hand tools and specialised equipment

pre-check procedures

enterprise quality procedures

work organisation and planning processes

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

observing safety procedures and requirements

communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work

selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances

completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner

conducting the alignment of a range of wheels in accordance with workplace and manufacturer/component supplier requirements

accurately interpreting wheel alignment measurements

completing wheel alignment within workplace timeframes

vehicle/equipment is presented to customer in compliance with workplace requirements

Context of assessment

Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite

Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian Standards

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

material relevant to wheel alignment operations

equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to wheel alignment operations

activities covering mandatory task requirements

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the automotive industry's RS&R Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies

Assessment may be applied under project related conditions and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Specific resource

requirements for this unit


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Wheel alignment operations

Wheel alignment operations are to include one or more of the following systems:

rear wheel drive, front wheel drive

two and four wheel steer

single wheel steer

Methods

Methods are to include:

chassis/underframe alignment checks

measurement and adjustment

road testing (before and after adjustments)

visual, aural and functional assessment (including: damage, corrosion, wear, measurement)

alignment equipment operation

string lining

WHS

WHS requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tools and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of material, use of fire fighting equipment, enterprise first aid, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulations/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices

Safe operating procedures

Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement, toxic substances, electrical safety, machinery movement and operation, manual and mechanical lifting and shifting, working in proximity to others and site visitors

Emergency procedures

Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include, but are not limited to emergency shutdown and stopping of equipment, extinguishing fires, enterprise first aid requirements and site evacuation

Environmental requirements

Environmental requirements are to include but are not limited to waste management, noise, dust and clean-up management

Quality requirements

Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to regulations, including Australian Standards, internal company quality policy and standards and enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory/regulatory authorities

Statutory/regulatory authorities may include Federal, State/Territory and local authorities administering acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment

Tools and equipment may include hand tools, tyre gauge and/or specialist tooling for removal/adjustment, mechanical and/or electronic wheel alignment equipment, measuring equipment, lifting equipment, two head and four head wheel aligner

Materials

Materials may include minor parts and cleaning materials

Communications

Communications are to include, but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions and fault reporting and may include site specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information/documents

Sources of information/documents may include:

verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets, diagrams or sketches

safe work procedures related to wheel alignment operations

regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to the automotive industry, including Australian Design Rules

engineer's design specifications and instructions

organisation work specifications and requirements

instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons

Australian Standards


Sectors

Unit sector

Mechanical - Light Vehicle


Competency Field

Technical - Steering and Suspension


Co-Requisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.