Maha Suspension Tester - Maha Test Lane Training Document

Objective

This training document provides a comprehensive guide for performing suspension and brake tests using the Maha Suspension Tester on a Maha Test Lane. Follow these steps accurately to ensure precise and reliable test results.

Key Points to Remember

• Always ensure the vehicle is correctly aligned before starting the test.
• Follow all on-screen prompts and instructions carefully.
• Ensure the vehicle is in neutral and brakes are released during shock absorber tests.
• Apply the correct brake pressure as indicated during brake tests.

By following these steps precisely, you will ensure a smooth, accurate, and effective suspension and brake testing process on the Maha Test Lane system.

1. Perform a Road Test

• Conduct a road test to identify the Prime Item of Concern (PIOC) and any other evident issues.
• This initial assessment helps establish a baseline for further testing.

2. Position the Vehicle

• Approach the Maha Test Lane carefully.
• Ensure the vehicle is aligned with the centreline of the machine.
• Do not drive onto the machine yet.

3. Input Vehicle Information

At the Maha computer:

1. Select the ‘Order Data’ tile.
2. Enter the vehicle's license plate number.
3. Input the customer's name.
4. Record the vehicle's make, model, year, and mileage.
5. Select the inspector performing the test.
6. Choose the correct park brake location.
7. Specify whether the vehicle has an electric or manual park brake.
8. Set the test procedure to FA-RA-PB (Front Axle, Rear Axle, Park Brake).
9. Click Continue to start the measurement process.

4. Front Axle Shock Absorber Test

1. Drive the vehicle's front wheels onto the shock absorber test plates.
2. Stop the car, put it into neutral, and release all brakes.
3. Wait for the test process to complete.

Start of the test

End of test: 

4. Front Axle Brake Test

1. When prompted, drive the vehicle's front wheels onto the rollers.
2. Stop the car, put it into neutral, and release all brakes.
3. Wait for the test process to begin.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions:

• Apply light brake pedal pressure until the needle reaches the orange area.
• Once the blue bar is depleted, increase brake pedal pressure to bring the wheels to a stop.

5. Rear Axle Shock Absorber Test

1. When prompted, drive the vehicle forward until the rear wheels are on the shock absorber test plates.
2. Stop the car, put it into neutral, and release all brakes.
3. Wait for the test process to finish.

Start of test:

End of test:

6. Rear Axle Brake Test

1. When prompted, drive the vehicle's rear wheels onto the rollers.
2. Stop the car, put it into neutral, and release all brakes.
3. Wait for the test process to start.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions:

• Apply light brake pedal pressure until the needle reaches the orange area.
• Once the blue bar is depleted, increase brake pedal pressure to bring the wheels to a stop.

8. Handbrake Test

1. When the rollers begin, apply the handbrake when prompted on the screen.

9. Exit the Test Lane

• When prompted, carefully drive the vehicle off the test lane.

10. Complete the Process

• Testing is now complete.
• Print a report summarising the test results for further analysis or customer records.

Key Points to Remember

• Always ensure the vehicle is correctly aligned before starting the test.
• Follow all on-screen prompts and instructions carefully.
• Ensure the vehicle is in neutral and brakes are released during shock absorber tests.
• Apply the correct brake pressure as indicated during brake tests.

By following these steps precisely, you will ensure a smooth, accurate, and effective suspension and brake testing process on the Maha Test Lane system.

Interpreting the Customer report 

Customer and Vehicle details 

The Store, Customer and Vehicle details are manually inputted into the machine and display at the top of the report, it is important to enter all the data into the relevant fields to present the best report for your customer. 

Measurements showing in Red are determined as a failed outcome by Maha, all measurements should be observed to report the findings correctly.

Shock Absorber Test

The Shock Absorption test data shows the Damping rate and Axle Weights for the front and rear Shocks and axles, 

Damping rate: The Damping rate should be used as a guide for diagnosing shocks condition as there are multiple factors at play when testing a shock absorber on a vehicle, 

Imbalance: An Imbalance will show if there is a difference between the left and right shockers as a percentage

Axle Weights: Axle Weights are recorded and displayed as corner weights for the vehicle.no imbalance is shown

Limits: greater than 35% is a pass will be highlighted in green, below 35% to 20% is intermediate fail and will be orange, below 20% is defective and will be in red

Brake Test

The Brake Test measures the Braking Force, the Imbalance of the Braking Force from left to right and measure the Ovality of the Brake Rotors and Drum brakes.

Brake Force: Is measured in Kilonewtons (kN) this test will pick up any uneven Brake Force and show as an Imbalance in Percentage, the Imbalance may be due to a sticky caliper for example.

Imbalance: An Imbalance in the Brake Force will show if there is a difference between the left and right Brake Force and show as a percentage.

Ovality: Ovality results will show as a percentage, if the Ovality result is over 20% it is considered the Rotor has failed the Ovality test and will show in red. 

Limits: Deceleration SB ( 60%  ) and Deceleration PB (20%  )  measures the reduction in a vehicle's speed measured as the rate of slowing down and will show as failed in red if below 20%    

Final Evaluation: below 60% is a fail and below 20% for park brake is a fail