GROUP NUMBER

SUSPENSION 20-SS-001H

Technical Service Bulletin DATE MODEL(S)

FEBRUARY 2020 ALL
SUBJECT WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS
AND BEST PRACTICES
THIS TSB SUPERSEDES 16-SS-001 TO UPDATE THE VEHICLE ALIGNMENT DATA SHEET AND
THE VEHICLE ALIGNMENT DIAGNOSTIC FLOWCHART.

Description: This bulletin describes the requirements for all wheel alignment and/or vehicle tracking
claims and best practices when diagnosing and conducting alignment-related repairs for all models
and model years.

Applicable Vehicles: All

NOTES
• Aligner Calibration/Maintenance Schedule - All dealer alignment racks must be
calibrated by a representative every six months. This frequency allows the representative to
update vehicle specifications, and inspect and maintain equipment.
• The Vehicle Alignment Data Sheet located at the end this TSB MUST be stored with the RO for
ALL alignment and/or vehicle tracking claims. (All models and model years)
• Additionally, if an alignment is performed, a before and after measurements printout MUST be
stored with the RO for ALL alignment and/or vehicle tracking claims. (All models and model
years)
o The VIN MUST be included on the alignment printout.
• Always refer to the applicable vehicle shop manual for alignment specifications.
• For all alignment-related conditions, Dealers and Sublet Vendors must adhere to the Vehicle
Alignment Diagnostic Flowchart located on Page 2, and at the end of this TSB.
• Test drives should be performed without passengers or excessive cargo in the vehicle.
• The Absolute Steering Position (ASP) calibration must be performed using GDS on vehicles
equipped with Electric Power Steering (EPS/MDPS) after an alignment has been completed.
• To perform a proper vehicle drift/pull diagnosis, use a Hunter GSP 9700 equipped with
StraightTrak.

Circulate To: General Manager, Service Manager, Parts Manager, Warranty Manager, Service
Advisors, Technicians, Body Shop Manager, Fleet Repair
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Warranty Information:
Model Op. Code Operation Op. Time Causal Part Nature Cause
Code Code
Alignment ALIGN-
ALL 52903A00 1.1 D44 ZZ5
Diagnosis/Repair 00000
The Vehicle Alignment Data Sheet must be completely filled and attached to the RO for any vehicle
drift/pull and/or alignment warranty claims.

If an alignment is performed, the machine printout displaying the before and after measurements
must also be attached to the RO, and the measurements must be included in the technician’s
comment section of the warranty claim.

Vehicle Alignment Diagnostic Flowchart

NOTES
• When a vehicle is received with an alignment/drift/pull/steering wheel off-center condition, the
service writer should document the customer comments on the Vehicle Alignment Data Sheet.
• Refer to the last 2 pages of this TSB for the detailed flowchart and data sheet.
• Many issues can contribute to vehicle drift or pull, including tire pressure, tire uniformity, wheel
alignment, brake drag, road crown, cross winds, spring sag resulting in ride height differences,
cargo load/weight distribution, and more.
• Consider all potential effects when diagnosing and confirming a vehicle drift or pull condition.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 2 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Road Test Procedure

NOTE

Perform road testing without passengers (driver only) and excessive weight.

1. Locate an acceptable vehicle testing road which meets the following criteria:

Recommendations - Road is straight for at least 250m (820 ft).

- Road grade: 1.2 to 1.7 degrees maximum. The flatter the
better.
- Lane width: 3 to 3.5 meters (10-11.5 feet).
Cautions - Conduct the test on a smooth, even road without bumps or
grooves.
- Do not test on a road with excessive grade/crown.
- Conduct the test on an uncrowded road.
- Do not test when strong winds are present.

2. Before test driving, verify that all tires are OEM, correctly installed (directional tires, correct
placement for staggered sizes, etc), and set to the correct inflation pressure.

NOTE
For best accuracy, use the GDS to measure tire pressures under TPMS system:
Current Data.

3. If equipped, turn OFF all driver’s assist systems.

4. Drive through the vehicle testing road at 40 MPH. Center the steering wheel, then slightly turn
the wheel ~3 degrees to the left and ~3 degrees to the right to identify the steering center.
With a light touch, center the steering wheel with the vehicle tracking as straight as possible.

NOTE
If the vehicle drives straight but the steering
wheel is off-center, perform an alignment to
correct the condition.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 3 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

5. Note which direction the vehicle has a tendency to drift towards. If the vehicle tends towards
the left, place the vehicle on the right side of the lane. If the vehicle tends towards the right,
place the vehicle on the left side of lane as shown below.

NOTE
To ensure accuracy, repeat the test with the vehicle travelling in the opposite
direction (on the same road).

6. Take time measurements to determine how long it takes for the vehicle to move from one side
of the lane to the other side (case 1), as shown. Use the conditions in the table below to
confirm drifting or pulling condition.

Condition Drift/Pull Criteria

The vehicle moves from The movement takes more than 6
Pass
one side of the lane to the seconds at 40 MPH.
other side of the lane
The movement takes 6 seconds or
(about 1m or 3.3 feet). Fail
less at 40 MPH.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 4 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Alignment Angle Definitions

Camber The angle between the vertical axis of
the wheel and the vertical axis of the
vehicle when viewed from the front or
rear. +º 0º -º
• Positive (green line): The upper
sidewall of the tire is tilted away from
the center of the vehicle.

• Negative (red line): The upper

sidewall of the tire is tilted towards
the center of the vehicle.

Caster When viewing a vehicle from the side,

the angle of the steering axis is defined -º 0º +º
by drawing a line through the upper and
lower ball joints (for a double wishbone
front suspension), or through the strut
tower mount and the lower ball joint (for
a MacPherson strut front suspension).

• Positive (green line): The line leans

towards the rear of the car.

• Negative (red line): The line leans

towards the front of the car.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 5 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Toe The amount the tires point inwards or

outwards when viewing the car from
above.

• Positive (green line): Toe-in – the

tires point inwards towards the
center of the vehicle.

• Negative (red line): Toe-out – the

tires point outwards away from the
center of the vehicle.

-º 0º +º

Factors that Influence Vehicle Drift/Pull

Vehicle drift or pull can be attributed to several factors. Understanding what can affect drift/pull is
necessary to repair a vehicle with a drift or pull condition.

Air pressure – A front tire with low pressure can cause a vehicle to drift or pull towards that tire.

Alignment
• Camber – A vehicle will drift or pull towards the side with more positive front camber. The camber
difference between the front tires should be less than 0.5 degrees.
• Caster – A vehicle will tend to drift or pull towards the side with less positive caster.
• Toe – Front and rear toe alignment will not affect vehicle drift or pull performance. Front and
rear toe alignment can cause conditions including steering wheel being off center, dog-tracking, tire
wear issues, and altered vehicle handling characteristics.
• Steering Axis Inclination (SAI) – When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the angle formed by a
line drawn through the steering pivot axis with a line at true vertical. SAI is designed into the
suspension and aids in straight-line stability. This angle can be measured by an alignment
machine. For Hunter units, SAI is measured during the caster sweep process. When the SAI
difference between left and right sides is more than 1 degree, check for damaged components.
o If SAI is lower on one side of the vehicle, this may indicate a bent lower control arm.
o If SAI is higher on one side of the vehicle, this may indicate damage to the upper strut
mount.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 6 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

• Thrust angle – The direction the rear axle is pointing as a result of the rear toe angles. This can
result in an off-center steering wheel. To avoid this condition when performing an alignment, rear
camber and toe should be adjusted before adjusting the front alignment. After the rear camber and
toe are adjusted, center the steering wheel, lock the wheel in place, then adjust the front camber,
caster, and toe (if applicable).

Tires – Tires can have a significant effect on vehicle drift or pull. Arranging tires on a vehicle based
on the StraightTrak results can help improve a vehicle drift or pull condition. Tires contribute to
vehicle drift or pull through ply steer and conicity:
• Ply steer – Ply steer is an inherent characteristic in a tire which creates a lateral force as the tire
rolls. Rotating the tires may aid in cancelling ply steer effects.
Conicity – Tire conicity refers to the shape of the tire, and how cone-shaped the tire is. This can
influence vehicle drift or pull. Conicity can be present in a new tire due to a manufacturing condition,
or in a used tire due to camber wear.

Weight – The amount of weight and where the weight is placed alters a vehicle’s alignment angles,
changing the drift/pull tendency. It is important to consider this when diagnosing a vehicle drift or pull.

Road Crown – Every vehicle has the tendency to follow road crown towards the low side of the
crown. It is important to road test a vehicle for a drift/pull condition on as flat a road as possible.

Brake Drag – If one side of the vehicle brakes are dragging, the vehicle can have a drift or pull
tendency towards that side. Inspect the brake system to ensure brake drag not a contributing factor
to drift or pull performance.

Cross Winds – Cross winds can push a vehicle towards one side of the road. Conduct road testing
by driving a vehicle in opposite directions to verify the effects of cross winds.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 7 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Proper Alignment Rack Usage and Maintenance

NOTE

• Aligner Calibration/Maintenance Schedule - All dealer alignment racks must be

calibrated by a representative every six months. This frequency allows the
representative to update vehicle specifications, and inspect and maintain equipment.
• These guidelines apply to Hunter Engineering alignment racks and wheel balancers that
feature StraightTrak.
• The following items must be followed to ensure accurate alignment readings.

Rolling Compensation - The rolling compensation procedure is critical for ensuring an accurate
alignment. When performing rolling compensation, perform the following actions:
1. Set tire pressure to factory specification.
2. Verify that the vehicle is not excessively loaded. Remove any heavy items.
3. Ensure the lift is level so that the suspension and steering are in a neutral position.
4. Set the target levels before rolling compensation. After completing the compensation, do not
re-level the targets.

Roll the vehicle by turning the left rear tire. This

action will not disturb the suspension and steering
systems.

NOTE
Do not roll the vehicle by pushing or
pulling on body surfaces, bumpers, etc.

If equipped, ensure the pins are in the slip plates,

and the turnplate bridge is oriented so that the
bridge is level/flush with the rolling surface to
minimize the vehicle’s suspension movement.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 8 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Slip Plates - The slip plates of a Hunter alignment

rack are designed to move smoothly and freely to
provide accurate measurements.

Before pulling a vehicle onto the rack, check that

the slip plates move freely and do not bind.
Periodically clean the area underneath the slip
plates by blowing compressed air through the
area to remove any debris. If this action does not
free a binding slip plate, contact your local Hunter
representative for cleaning and lubrication
recommendations.

Hunter StraightTrak LFM

StraightTrak is a required feature for Hunter’s
GSP9700 wheel balancer. This feature measures
tire lateral force caused by ply steer, conicity, and
other issues which may contribute to vehicle drift
or pull.

Use the StraightTrak feature to address tire

induced vehicle pull.

StraightTrak will arrange the four wheel/tire

assemblies of a vehicle in a configuration which
will result in the lowest drifting or pulling force.

NOTES
• Some vehicles have staggered size
tires (front vs. rear), and have limited
tire configuration options.
• Different software versions may have
different screens than what is shown
in this TSB. Contact your Hunter
representative for detailed
information on proper StraightTrak
operation.
• When deciding on a configuration for
least drift/pull, some thoughtful
consideration is required.
Depending on the severity of the
drift/pull, a configuration that results
in the best tracking performance may
differ from the Hunter StraightTrak
recommendations.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 9 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Use StraightTrak to arrange the four wheel/tire

assemblies in a configuration which will result in
the lowest drifting or pulling force by performing
the following actions:

1. Remove all wheel/tire assemblies from the

vehicle.
2. Balance the front left assembly on the
Hunter GSP9700 with StraightTrak feature.
An icon located in the lower right corner will
display whether or not StraightTrak is
enabled.

3. After balancing, press the tire tag button

located at the bottom right of the screen to
assign a number to that assembly. Label
the assembly accordingly with a tag or
chalk mark.

4. Continue to balance and tag all four

assemblies. After all assemblies are
completed, the screen will show display
positioning and the effect on vehicle
drift/pull or vibration. The purple horizontal
arrow at the top of the screen displays
overall pulling force and direction due to
tire effects. The brown vertical arrows
above each tire displays the RFV (road
force variation) of each assembly.
• Select “Show Least Pull” for lowest tire
effects on pulling.

• Select “Show Least Vibration” for the

smoothest ride.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 10 of 11

SUBJECT:
SUBJECT: WHEEL ALIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES

• Select “Show Alternate Placements”

for other configurations.

NOTES
• Some vehicles have staggered size
tires (front vs. rear), and have
limited tire configuration options.
• Different software versions may
have different screens than what is
shown in this TSB. Contact your
Hunter representative for detailed
information on proper StraightTrak
operation.
• When deciding on a configuration
for least drift/pull, some thoughtful
consideration is required.
Depending on the severity of the
drift/pull, a configuration that
results in the best tracking
performance may differ from the
Hunter StraightTrak
recommendations.

TSB #: 20-SS-001H Page 11 of 11

SUBJECT:
 Vehicle Alignment Diagnostic Flowchart
Road Test Case #1 – 3.3 ft Repair Procedure Notes
• The Vehicle Alignment Diagnostic Flowchart must
be followed for all alignment/drift/pull/off-center
Use minimal throttle repairs.
input and do not vary • The Vehicle Alignment Data Sheet is REQUIRED to
throttle input during be filled out completely and stored with the RO.
testing • Perform all road testing using Road Test Case #1
criteria, at 40 MPH with no passengers or excessive
cargo in the vehicle.
PASS Criteria: More than 6 seconds 40MPH • Following an alignment, ASP must be performed on
vehicles equpped with electric power steering

1. Record condition
description and vehicle data

2. Record received tire

Explain tire pressure effect on vehicle
pressure. Set to placard tire
pressure (cold tires) pull to customer

No drift/pull:
Steering Wheel Steering Wheel
Centered 3. Perform Off-Center
Service Complete Perform alignment
road test.

Drift/pull
Notes:
4. Use the Hunter GSP 9700 - Some vehicles are equipped with
to measure lateral force on staggered tires, limiting tire
all 4 tires. Then arrange tires
arrangement configurations.
for improved drift/pull
performance. - Lateral force is NOT the same as
radial force variation (RFV).

No drift/pull 5. Perform
Service Complete
road test.

Drift/pull

6. Align Vehicle. Reset ASP Note: Alignment angles should be set

calibration if applicable. to the center of the specification.

No drift/pull 7. Perform
Service Complete
road test.

Drift/pull

Contact Hyundai
Assistance Hotline
1-800-325-6604
 Vehicle Alignment Data Sheet

Repair Procedure Notes

• The Vehicle Alignment Diagnostic Flowchart must be followed for all alignment/drift/pull/off-center repairs.
o Refer to the Vehicle Diagnostic Flowchart for detailed information on how to correctly complete this
form.
• The Vehicle Alignment Data Sheet is REQUIRED to be filled out completely and stored with the RO.

VIN:
Model/Year: Dealer:
Repair Date: Mileage:
Tire Wear/Vehicle Condition
Customer Comments:
1. Condition Comments:

Received Tire Pressure: (PSI) Tire Pressure Set To: (PSI)

2. Tire Pressure LF RF LF RF
R R
LR LR
R R
Direction vehicle drifts/pulls:
LEFT RIGHT
(Circle)
3. Road Test How many seconds the vehicle Fail 1-6 seconds
takes to drift/pull from one side of
lane to other: Pass 6-10 seconds
4. Front Tire Input Initial and Final Initial Final
Lateral Front Lateral Force: lbs: lbs:
Force Front Lateral Force
(StraightTrak)
Initial: LEFT / RIGHT Final: LEFT / RIGHT
Direction: (Circle)
Direction vehicle drifts/pulls:
LEFT RIGHT
(Circle)
5. Road Test How many seconds the vehicle Fail 1-6 seconds
takes to drift/pull from one side of
lane to other: Pass 6-10 seconds

6. Vehicle Attach both before and after Alignment Print-Outs to the back of this form
Alignment and keep with the RO.
Direction vehicle drifts/pulls:
LEFT RIGHT
(Circle)
How many seconds the vehicle Fail 1-6 seconds
takes to drift/pull from one side of
7. Road Test Pass 6-10 seconds
lane to other:
Final
Comments: