This procedure covers performing a complete four-wheel alignment on a 2016-2024 Hyundai Tucson with 2.5L I4 AWD engine, including adjusting toe, camber (if applicable), and caster settings to manufacturer specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Alignment specification sheet × 1 — Refer to manufacturer specifications for model year

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level alignment rack and set parking brake
2. Verify tire pressures are set to specification (check door jamb sticker)
3. Inspect suspension components for excessive wear, damaged bushings, or loose hardware
4. Check for bent or damaged steering/suspension components that would prevent proper alignment
5. Bounce each corner of vehicle several times to settle suspension
6. Ensure fuel tank is at least half full for proper weight distribution
7. Remove any excess cargo or weight from vehicle
8. Verify steering wheel is centered and front wheels point straight ahead

Procedure

1. 1

   Mount alignment equipment
   Attach alignment heads/sensors to all four wheels according to alignment machine manufacturer instructions. Ensure heads are properly secured and wheel rim clamps are tight. Perform initial wheel runout compensation procedure on alignment machine.
2. 2

   Perform initial alignment reading
   Roll vehicle back and forth approximately 6 feet to settle suspension. Center steering wheel and install steering wheel lock to prevent movement. Raise vehicle on alignment rack turntables/slip plates. Take initial alignment readings for all four wheels and record caster, camber, and toe values. Compare readings to manufacturer specifications.
3. 3

   Check rear alignment first
   Always begin alignment by checking rear wheel alignment as it affects front alignment. On 2016-2024 Tucson AWD, rear toe is adjustable via eccentric cam bolts on rear trailing arm or lateral link. Rear camber is not adjustable from factory. If rear toe is out of specification, proceed to adjust; if within spec, proceed to front alignment.
4. 4

   Adjust rear toe (if necessary)
   Loosen the rear cam bolts on the affected side's trailing arm or lateral link assembly. Rotate the eccentric cam bolt to adjust toe to manufacturer specification (typically 0.10° ± 0.10° per wheel). Make small adjustments and re-measure. Once within specification, hold cam position and torque cam bolt.
   ⚠Cam bolts must be torqued to 129 Nm (95 lb-ft) while holding eccentric cam in adjusted position to prevent movement
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Verify rear thrust angle
   After rear toe adjustment, verify thrust angle is within specification (typically 0.00° ± 0.10°). Thrust angle should be as close to zero as possible. If thrust angle is excessive and cannot be corrected, inspect for bent rear axle components or frame damage.
6. 6

   Check front caster and camber
   Review front caster and camber readings. Factory specification for front caster is typically 3.5° ± 0.5° and front camber is typically -0.3° ± 0.5°. Front caster is not adjustable. Front camber is not adjustable unless aftermarket camber bolts are installed. If readings are out of specification and no adjustment hardware exists, inspect for bent components.
7. 7

   Adjust front camber (if aftermarket bolts installed)
   If aftermarket camber adjustment bolts are installed on front strut-to-knuckle connection, loosen the camber bolts and shift the knuckle position to achieve specification. Torque camber bolts once adjustment is complete. Skip this step if factory hardware is present as camber is non-adjustable.
   Torque spec

   Camber Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Adjust front toe
   Front toe is adjusted via tie rod length. Loosen tie rod jam nuts on both sides using 19mm wrench. Hold the inner tie rod with tie rod pliers to prevent it from rotating. Turn the outer tie rod end to lengthen or shorten the tie rod assembly. Turning the tie rod end inward (clockwise on right side, counter-clockwise on left side) increases toe-in. Make equal adjustments to both sides to maintain steering wheel centering.
9. 9

   Fine-tune front toe
   Front toe specification is typically 0.00° ± 0.10° (total toe). Make small adjustments to each tie rod, re-measure, and repeat until both wheels are within specification and total toe is centered. Ensure steering wheel remains centered throughout adjustment. If steering wheel is off-center after toe adjustment, make corrective adjustment by lengthening one tie rod and shortening the other by equal amounts.
10. 10

    Torque tie rod hardware
    Once front toe is within specification and steering wheel is centered, hold each outer tie rod end to prevent rotation and torque the jam nuts against the tie rod end. Ensure tie rod end does not rotate during torquing. Verify toe specification has not changed after torquing.
    ⚠Tie rod jam nuts must be torqued to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft) to prevent adjustment from loosening during operation
    Torque spec

    Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Perform final alignment verification
    Roll vehicle back and forth on alignment rack to settle suspension after adjustments. Take final alignment readings on all four wheels. Verify all angles are within manufacturer specifications: front toe 0.00° ± 0.10° total, rear toe 0.10° ± 0.10° per wheel, thrust angle 0.00° ± 0.10°. Print alignment report showing before and after measurements.
12. 12

    Remove equipment and lower vehicle
    Remove steering wheel lock and alignment heads from wheels. Lower vehicle from alignment rack. Remove wheel chocks. Ensure all adjustment points are properly torqued and no tools or equipment remain under vehicle.

Reassembly

1. Verify all tie rod jam nuts are torqued to specification
2. Verify all cam bolts (if adjusted) are torqued to specification
3. Confirm steering wheel is centered with wheels pointing straight ahead
4. Check that no alignment equipment or tools remain on or under vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at various speeds to verify straight-line tracking and centered steering wheel
• Verify steering wheel returns to center after turns and does not pull to either side
• Confirm no unusual tire wear patterns develop after alignment
• Re-check alignment after 500-1000 miles if vehicle has new suspension components installed
• Verify steering effort is normal and consistent throughout steering range

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