New Front End Alignment Specs

[whisperquiet]

Like many others, I feel that the steering precision (or lack thereof) on my 2013 Santa Fe is vague at best and sloppy at worst. So, I was reading the online service manual/specs at www.hyundaitecinfo.com and found that the alignment specs have been updated/changed as of 09-27-2012. They are shown on this copy/paste:


Toe adjustment
1. Loosen the tie rod end lock nut.
2. Remove the bellows clip to prevent the bellows from being twisted.
3. Adjust the toe by screwing or unscrewing the tie rod. Toe adjustment should be made by turning the right and left tie rods by the same amount.
[~2012-09-26]
Item
Specification
Toe-in
Total
0.0 ± 0.2
Individual
0.0 ± 0.1

[2012-09-27~]
Item
Specification
Toe-in
Total
0.1 ± 0.2
Individual
0.05 ± 0.1

It is interesting to note that prior to 09-27-12, the alignment was neutral at 0.0 plus/minus.02. The spec has been changed to .01 plus/minus .02 as of 09-27-12....................which is a slight amount of toe-in (and more centering/precise driving feel).

I plan to discuss this with the shop manager as my SF needs to have the steering wheel centered anyway.

It was noted earlier that anyone can read the shop manual at www.hyundaitechinfo.com ............... but you must log on with Internet Explorer.......... it will not work correctly with Firefrox.

FYI............re: vague steering.

[johndixs]

Has anyone had their alignment updated to the new standard, and if so, has it improved the steering difficulty?

[whisperquiet]

Originally Posted by johndixs

Has anyone had their alignment updated to the new standard, and if so, has it improved the steering difficulty?

Mine is going in for the alignment on the 19th.......I will post when it is done.

[sbr711]

Dont forget about the rear.. drop the cambers down to -0.5, and set the toe minimal too..

[knzshrk]

Originally Posted by whisperquiet

Mine is going in for the alignment on the 19th.......I will post when it is done.

How did it go? Really hoping this improves the high speed steering feel!

[whisperquiet]

Originally Posted by knzshrk

How did it go? Really hoping this improves the high speed steering feel!

I had it aligned to the newer specs (after 09-27-12) and it seems to have a tighter steering feel. I've only driven it about 70 miles and with no wind, it seems to have better feel/feedback and is not so sloppy.

The dealership also ordered new driver seat rails to (hopefully) remove the seat slop/rocking.

[Big Kahuna]

Originally Posted by whisperquiet

I had it aligned to the newer specs (after 09-27-12) and it seems to have a tighter steering feel. I've only driven it about 70 miles and with no wind, it seems to have better feel/feedback and is not so sloppy.

The dealership also ordered new driver seat rails to (hopefully) remove the seat slop/rocking.

Is this steering something that the dealer has to do when you bring your car in for service or do you have to ask them to do it. (TSB?) Required?

[johndixs]

Thanks, WQ. Please keep us advised of your findings. I'm interested in determining whether to make a special appointment to have this done ( first service is some months away ) now or wait.

[whisperquiet]

Originally Posted by Big Kahuna

Is this steering something that the dealer has to do when you bring your car in for service or do you have to ask them to do it. (TSB?) Required?

You will have to ask that the alignment be checked and adjusted if necessary. I asked because my steering wheel was not centered when the SF was new. I looked up the specs for the alignment on www.hyundaitechinfo.com and found the new specs as of 09-27-12.

Basically the vehicle was originally set up with no toe-in (probably for better gas mileage), but the new specs call for a bit of toe-in (more self centering).

[golfermack]

Originally Posted by whisperquiet

You will have to ask that the alignment be checked and adjusted if necessary. I asked because my steering wheel was not centered when the SF was new. I looked up the specs for the alignment on www.hyundaitechinfo.com and found the new specs as of 09-27-12.

Basically the vehicle was originally set up with no toe-in (probably for better gas mileage), but the new specs call for a bit of toe-in (more self centering).

Thanks for your insight and feedback on this issue. Is there a way to tell when a 2013 Sport was built, and can we assume if it was after 9/27/12 that it was aligned to the new specs?

I've noticed our steering wheel seems to constantly need adjusting (more than I've noticed/experienced with my other cars) to keep it on a straight line. What I mean is, if the car starts wandering to the left, and I turn the wheel slightly to the right to compensate, soon the car will start wandering to the right. It seems to constantly need adjusting to keep on a straight line. Might the new specs "bit of toe in" stop my wandering?
John