California Career and Technical Education Standards

• T.C.C2.1 Understand and use appropriate tools and equipment, such as wrenches, sockets, a...
• T.C.C2.5 Use measurement scales, devices, and systems, such as dial indicators, micromete...
• T.C.C2.6 Know and understand how to access technical reports, manuals, electronic retriev...
• T.FS.11.0 Demonstration and Application
• T.FS.5.1 Apply appropriate problem-solving strategies and critical thinking skills to wor...
• T.FS.6.2 Understand critical elements for health and safety practices related to storing,...
• T.FS.6.3 Use tools, equipment, and machinery safely and appropriately.

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• ELA.8.R.CAGT.2.5 Understand and explain the use of a complex mechanical device by following techn...3
• ELA.9-10.W.2.6c Write technical documents that include scenarios, definitions, and examples to a...

• Vehicle supporting 1a - Demo / Modeling

  Instructor will model safe jacking procedures and setting jack stands at the correct support positions to safely raise one axle.

  Lift points will be discussed and lifting points will be shown to the students. The lift capacity of the jack will be verified by checking the load capacity label on the jack.

  The use of the jack  for lifting and lowering the vehicle wil be explained and demonstrated. Slow deliberate actions will be emphasized in carefully operating the hydraulic floor jack.

  Placement of jack stands will be demonstrated and explained in terms of stability and safety.  The instructor will demonstrate lowering the car by turning the jack handle SLOWLY to the left. Some students will tighten the handle first, then twist it to the left abruptly because it is tight now. Explain this and verify that students know how to not do this to avoid undue stress of having the vehicle bang down on the jack stands.

  Students will observe the demonstrations while they record the correct procedures in their journals.
• Vehicle supporting#1b - Lab / Shop

  Students will be asked to review their notes with the instructor prior to operating any hydraulic jacks. They will use a jack and jack stands to lift one axle of a vehicle using proper techniques and following all safety rules as guided by the instructor. Students will carefully jack up vehicles on their proper lift points and secure on jack stands as per the steps outlined and demonstrated previously. They will be lowering the car by turning the jack handle SLOWLY to the left. Some students will tighten the handle first, then twist it to the left abruptly because it is tight now. Explain this and verify that students know how to not do this to avoid undue stress of having the vehicle bang down on the One axle is all that is required.

  The instructor will verify the proper procedure is being followed by monitoring, observing, assisting and explaining to students if they are uncertain as to how to perform the work required.
• Vehicle supporting 2a - Demo / Modeling

  Instructor will model the correct procedure for correctly using a vehicle lift to raise a vehicle to working height. The process will be detailed to the students so that they can record specific notes about safe and proper lift procedures. Slow this part down so that each step is clear and can be recorded by each student. Start with how the vehicle is placed in the service bay-make sure it is in correct position to lift. Swing the lift support arms under the car and identify the lift points to the students. The lift operator must get down to the level of the support arms to see the lift points. Have all of your students kneel down and check for the vehicle lift points. Questions about the process can be answered as they come up. Do not operate the lift without  setting the lift points correctly. Verify! Remember, nobody is perfect-readjust the lift points if they are not correctly set. Check that all persons are away from the vehicle by yelling "Clear!" Operate the lift to raise it to the first safety and stop. Secure the lift at the first safety latch point and verify that the lift points are correct and that the vehicle is properly supported. Check the area, yell " Clear!" and proceed to lift the vehicle to working height. Set the vehicle lift on the safety catches after the correct working height is reached.. The vehicle is safely lifted.

  The instructor will go step by step , answering questions,checking for understanding and progress monitoring students as they document the correct procedures in their journals.
• Vehicle supporting #2b - Lab / Shop

  Students will use the lift to support a vehicle using proper techniques and following all safety rules. Students will swing the lift support arms under the car and will identify the lift points. The lift operator must get down to the level of the support arms to see the lift points. Questions about the process can be answered as they come up. Do not allow students to operate the lift without visually observing them set the lift points correctly. Verify! Have the students check that all persons are away from the vehicle by yelling "Clear!" Observe them operate the lift to raise it to the first safety and stop. Secure the lift at the first safety latch point and verify  that the lift points are correct and that the vehicle is properly supported. Check the area, yell " Clear!" and proceed to lift the vehicle to working height. Set the vehicle lift on the safety latches after the correct working height is reached.. The vehicle is safely lifted. Confirm this to your students.

  The instructor will go step by step with students,checking for understanding and monitoring as they perform the correct procedures to lift the car..

  The instructor will verify the proper procedure is being followed.
• Wheel removal from vehicle Part 1 - Demo / Modeling

  Demonstrate the correct method for safe wheel removal using an air wrench. Students will record the correct step by step procedures in their journals. Explain which tools are used and why. Show students where the tools being used are located and have them note the location of various tools so that they can be returned after use. The connection to the air line is tricky so show this several times. Explain the reason for hand checking the socket for proper fit and explain how hard it is to remove a lug nut that has been rounded off by use of the wrong size socket.  An air wrench will be used to remove the vehicle lug nut. They are very powerful and the operator must control the tool properly to avoid damaging the lug nut. Explain that the impact socket is the right choice of socket, not the shiny sockets that are thinwall design. The thinwall socket will shatter or crack if used with an air impact wrench.The instructor must demonstrate this several times as students won't grasp the  proper technique without repetition. Righty tighty, lefty loosy is a good way to explain tightening and loosening. Its goofy , but it works!  Explain that the tightening or loosening direction is from the head of the fastener (in this case a lug nut). Verify the correct method of testing the air wrench for proper orientation(tighten or loosen) It is worth extra time to repeat this exercise as there is always someone who has trouble with this part. Reinforce that the class will NOT use this tool to install lug nuts regardless of what they have seen during NASCAR pit stops!. Loosen the lug nuts. Do not fully remove the last lug nut so that the wheel doesn't fall on their feet or bounce off the ground and injure someone. Demonstrate moving the lug nuts off the floor and on to a tool cart so they don't get kicked or scattered. Put the air wrench on the cart after disconnecting the air hose. Explain that the air hose should not be left attached to the air wrench so that the tool doesn't get knocked to the ground by pulling or stepping on the air hose. Retract or coil the air hose up to avoid students tripping over it. Make sure student are taking appropriate notes by prompting them at various times during the demonstration
• Wheel removal from vehicle Part 2 - Lab / Shop

  Students will use the correct tools to remove a wheel from a vehicle after watching the instructor demonstrate the proper technique. The same techniques will be used for vehicles on lifts and those that are on jack stands.

  The instructor will verify the proper procedure is being followed. He will progress monitor the students individually and keep track of the time as students move through this activity. Adjustments will need to be made for slower or faster progress by students. Emphasis on following the correct loosening procedure is very important to avoid damage to the vehicle lug nuts. Make sure the student isn't tightening the lug nuts! Have them not fully remove the last lug nut so that the wheel doesn't fall on their feet or bounce off the ground and injure someone. Verfy they are following the steps demonstrated by the instructor. One wheel per student or you will run out of time
• Wheel installation Part 1 - Demo / Modeling

  The instructor will demonstrate the correct procedure for installing the wheel on a vehicle, hand tightening the lug nuts. Students will observe the proper placement of the lug nut on the vehicle-several turns by hand with the correct side of the lug nut facing in . This will be emphasized as the wheel will never tighten properly if it has lug nuts that are on backwards.

  Once the lug nuts are correctly installed on the lugs, the instructor will use the impact socket to further hand tighten the lug nuts until they cannot be tightened further by hand. This is callled snugging up the lug nuts . Demonstrate the correct way to look up the vehicle specs for wheel lug torque specifications .

  The instructor will demonstrate the correct setting of the torque value into the torque wrench and explain the use of the torque wrench, which is to tighten fasteners including lug nuts.

  The instructor will demonstrate the correct method of torquing lug nuts to the correct specification in foot/pounds in a sequential pattern, going through the process twice so that each lug nut is torqued twice.

  Students will record the correct procedures in their journals.
• Wheel installation Part 2 - Lab / Shop

  Students will demonstrate the correct procedure for installing the wheel on a vehicle, hand tightening the lug nuts. Students will observe the proper placement of the lug nut on the vehicle- several turns by hand with the correct side of the lug nut facing in. This will be emphasized as the wheel will never tighten properly if it has lug nuts that are on backwards . Have the students use the socket to hand tighten each lug nut further.

  Once the lug nuts are correctly installed on the lugs,students will demonstrate the correct way to look up the vehicle specs for wheel lug Torque specifications. This can be a wall  chart, a copy of Tire Guide or a vehicle repairmanual. If you have electronic resources such as Mitchell Ondemand students can look up the wheel tightening torque specifications.

  Students will demonstrate the correct setting of the torque value into the torque wrench and explain the use of the torque wrench, which is to tighten fasteners including lug nuts.

  Students will demonstrate the correct method of torquing lug nuts to the correct specification in foot/pounds in a sequential pattern, going through the pattern twice so that each lug nut is torqued twice.

  The instructor will verify the proper procedure is being followed.
• Tool clean up and storage - Lab / Shop

  The vehicle will be lowered using the jacks and carefully removing jack stands and lowering the car by turning the jack handle SLOWLY to the left. Some students will tighten the handle first, then twist it to the left abruptly because it is tight now. Explain this and verify that students know how to not do this to avoid undue stress of having the vehicle bang down on the ground! Less stress on you, too. Have the students secure the jack and jack stands to their proper locations in the shop.

  Verify that the students using the vehicle lift follow proper procedures and all safety rules. Make sure they yell "Clear!" to secure the area for operating the lift and that they check for any objects the car may come in contact with. Have them clear the lift support arms from under the car after complete lowering occurs.

  Students will properly clean and store the tools used in removing and installing wheels. Instructor will verify the correct storing of these tools.

  Students will write notes about the specific lowering of vehicles and proper clean up procedures in their journals.

  The instructor will verify the proper procedure is being followed during this lab work.

• How to install Tire and Wheel assemblies.doc [ Download ] The point of note taking is to create in individualized learning log for this activity. It is important to get your own knowledge base. I have included a procedure for students to follow in this section which can be used for a handout.This is one method of installing wheels and tires-courtesy of Tire Rack. I edited it for this lesson's purposes. It is good resource information for your students. More technical information is available from Tire Rack.