Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit identifies the competence required to carry out wheel alignment operations.

Application of the unit 

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 heavy vehicles.

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

Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

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 tools 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, OH&S legislation, legislation and enterprise procedures/policies

2.7. 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 AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

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:

OH&S 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

chassis 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 GUIDE 

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.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

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 , and specific resources for 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

Guidance information for assessment 

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:

• drive axles
• two and four wheel steer, tandem steer
• single wheel steer
• trailer axle
• 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

OH &S 

OH&S 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 tooling 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 

Tooling and equipment may include hand tools, tyre gauge and/or specialist tools 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

Unit sector 

Technical

Co-requisite units 

Competency field