Yes, another "alignment" issue(?)

[.xs1]

Hey guys,

I have a 2013 Genesis R-Spec 5.0 sedan & I'm baffled by a mysterious "alignment" issue. I will start by saying auto mechanics is my profession.. but im looking for some suggestions. The car physically pulls right. It's not a "general drift" its a real pull. Alignment specs are not terrible. Camber is neg. on both sides (all sedans are) , caster is within .1* of the other side.. ( 7.0/6.9 I believe, I left the printout at work). SAI is fine. Setback is fine. It's not an alignment issue. I have already replaced the following:

- struts & springs
- upper control arms (r/f)
- brakes (pr&c)
- tires ( total of 10 now, trouble shooting) (( cross rotation makes 0 difference))
- r/f spindle & knuckle asy.

No change in pull, altho caster and camber did come significantly closer to "spec".

Have had multiple alignments, no change. Steering angle sensor reset; no change; Even went silly with it and set 3½* of cross-toe opposite direction in the rear ( 6* total); still pulls right. The steering wheel will walk right on 2 of the 3 road crowns. Left hand road crown = drives straight. center line = slight pull right; right hand road crown = a work out to keep straight;

Other than the steering rack... im at a loss.... could fixing the camber with shims help? (camber is currently -1.5l -1.9r) the damn car/ wheel will not stay straight. I have a couple videos showing what it does.. any suggestions would be appreciated.....

PS: If you dont have anything nice or useful to say, please refrain from saying anything at all. Thanks in advance!

1) 20210720-201831_RqDqs0cs_xwIa (1).mp4

2) 20210720_202053.mp4

 

[Gunkk]

No solutions here, but I'll share what I know from my experience with this.

-1.9R is about a what one would set for a track alignment, and likely the culprit IMO.

Both my and my father's '12 4.6's do the same, but to a much lesser degree than your videos. On a left crowned highway they will both track straight or slightly left. Dead level very slight right pull. Mine always has done this, but not to a significant enough degree for me to throw money at it. No accidents on either car, 88k and 27k miles respectively. Dad's car seemed to be a touch worse after installing a fresh set of tires last week, FWIW, but not worse than my car.

After I replaced my last set of Pilot Super Sports with MPS4S's after both MPSS fronts corded the inners when the outer was at 1-2/32, I asked if the toe out was the reason. The alignment tech said toe was fine, but the negative front camber was the issue (-1.2 IIRC), and was not adjustable. Said I'd have to go to aftermarket camber plates, shims, mod the struts or control arms, or a similar route to fix it.

Makes one wonder if a strut tower brace would help... or if the springs are sagging as the cars age. But you have replaced springs so <headscratch>.

Please post again with any updates!

 

[toxicavenger70]

Have you rotated the front rims to the back and tried it? I have to say that camber is a little high for the front end imo. I would shoot for right below 1. Camber shims might be your only option.

 

[.xs1]

Thanks guys for the replies. ordered a shim kit ( 2 actually) we will see what happens! I'll keep you posted.

 

[toxicavenger70]

Thanks guys for the replies. ordered a shim kit ( 2 actually) we will see what happens! I'll keep you posted.

I would try the 1.0 first. I think you are right on track. Keep us posted.

 

[princelybug]

In for updates.

 

[Genspec14]

Hey guys,

I have a 2013 Genesis R-Spec 5.0 sedan & I'm baffled by a mysterious "alignment" issue. I will start by saying auto mechanics is my profession.. but im looking for some suggestions. The car physically pulls right. It's not a "general drift" its a real pull. Alignment specs are not terrible. Camber is neg. on both sides (all sedans are) , caster is within .1* of the other side.. ( 7.0/6.9 I believe, I left the printout at work). SAI is fine. Setback is fine. It's not an alignment issue. I have already replaced the following:

- struts & springs
- upper control arms (r/f)
- brakes (pr&c)
- tires ( total of 10 now, trouble shooting) (( cross rotation makes 0 difference))
- r/f spindle & knuckle asy.

No change in pull, altho caster and camber did come significantly closer to "spec".

Have had multiple alignments, no change. Steering angle sensor reset; no change; Even went silly with it and set 3½* of cross-toe opposite direction in the rear ( 6* total); still pulls right. The steering wheel will walk right on 2 of the 3 road crowns. Left hand road crown = drives straight. center line = slight pull right; right hand road crown = a work out to keep straight;

Other than the steering rack... im at a loss.... could fixing the camber with shims help? (camber is currently -1.5l -1.9r) the damn car/ wheel will not stay straight. I have a couple videos showing what it does.. any suggestions would be appreciated.....

PS: If you dont have anything nice or useful to say, please refrain from saying anything at all. Thanks in advance!

1) 20210720-201831_RqDqs0cs_xwIa (1).mp4

2) 20210720_202053.mp4

Wow, on one hand I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one with this issue, but on the other, sorry to hear how much trouble it’s being. I have a ‘14 R-Spec and it’s been to 3 shops. Last place got it very close to no pull and all specs look good except the struts seem to be what’s sets it off from perfect. The car is almost 8 years old so I’m okay replacing them but I’d still hate to see that they don’t help at all. The shop even tried a brand new set of wheels n tires from a new Stinger and it still pulled. I’ll do the struts eventually but if they don’t do anything, I’ll have to resort to countermeasures. Forced Caster adjustment perhaps? IDK, It sucks though. Good luck with yours.

 

[toxicavenger70]

Wow, on one hand I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one with this issue, but on the other, sorry to hear how much trouble it’s being. I have a ‘14 R-Spec and it’s been to 3 shops. Last place got it very close to no pull and all specs look good except the struts seem to be what’s sets it off from perfect. The car is almost 8 years old so I’m okay replacing them but I’d still hate to see that they don’t help at all. The shop even tried a brand new set of wheels n tires from a new Stinger and it still pulled. I’ll do the struts eventually but if they don’t do anything, I’ll have to resort to countermeasures. Forced Caster adjustment perhaps? IDK, It sucks though. Good luck with yours.

I do not believe new struts can fix something like this. I personally think it is a camber issue. Not a suspension issue.

 

[Genspec14]

I do not believe new struts can fix something like this. I personally think it is a camber issue. Not a suspension issue.

Agreed

 

[.xs1]

@Genspec14

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am $1200 in the hole now for 0 results. I am still waiting on those camber shims & hope to god that helps. As far as "forced caster" id like to know how. Short of elongating the cradle bolt holes and shifting it that way, I dont know of any other way to adjust caster on these cars. if it were an annoying slight pull, I'd just live with it, but this pull is physically taxing to drive for any extended period of time.

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[Genspec14]

Actually my wife said just live with it, it’s not like you drive it much. If I weren’t so picky I might but I have a hard time letting a problem just go!

@Genspec14

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am $1200 in the hole now for 0 results. I am still waiting on those camber shims & hope to god that helps. As far as "forced caster" id like to know how. Short of elongating the cradle bolt holes and shifting it that way, I dont know of any other way to adjust caster on these cars. if it were an annoying slight pull, I'd just live with it, but this pull is physically taxing to drive for any extended period of time.

Actually my wife said just live with it, it’s not like you drive it much. If I weren’t so picky I might but I have a hard time letting a problem just go!

 

[Gunkk]

.xs1 sounds like you're on the right track with the shim kit. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Genspec14]

@Genspec14

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am $1200 in the hole now for 0 results. I am still waiting on those camber shims & hope to god that helps. As far as "forced caster" id like to know how. Short of elongating the cradle bolt holes and shifting it that way, I dont know of any other way to adjust caster on these cars. if it were an annoying slight pull, I'd just live with it, but this pull is physically taxing to drive for any extended period of time.

 

[Genspec14]

These would do the trick but they’re for the coupe

 

[PRINCE KEN]

Hey guys,

I have a 2013 Genesis R-Spec 5.0 sedan & I'm baffled by a mysterious "alignment" issue. I will start by saying auto mechanics is my profession.. but im looking for some suggestions. The car physically pulls right. It's not a "general drift" its a real pull. Alignment specs are not terrible. Camber is neg. on both sides (all sedans are) , caster is within .1* of the other side.. ( 7.0/6.9 I believe, I left the printout at work). SAI is fine. Setback is fine. It's not an alignment issue. I have already replaced the following:

- struts & springs
- upper control arms (r/f)
- brakes (pr&c)
- tires ( total of 10 now, trouble shooting) (( cross rotation makes 0 difference))
- r/f spindle & knuckle asy.

No change in pull, altho caster and camber did come significantly closer to "spec".

Have had multiple alignments, no change. Steering angle sensor reset; no change; Even went silly with it and set 3½* of cross-toe opposite direction in the rear ( 6* total); still pulls right. The steering wheel will walk right on 2 of the 3 road crowns. Left hand road crown = drives straight. center line = slight pull right; right hand road crown = a work out to keep straight;

Other than the steering rack... im at a loss.... could fixing the camber with shims help? (camber is currently -1.5l -1.9r) the damn car/ wheel will not stay straight. I have a couple videos showing what it does.. any suggestions would be appreciated.....

PS: If you dont have anything nice or useful to say, please refrain from saying anything at all. Thanks in advance!

1) 20210720-201831_RqDqs0cs_xwIa (1).mp4

2) 20210720_202053.mp4

You will receive alot of feedback on this issue since it is a very common issue with R Spec owners In my opinion though the best way to go is reading the actual 5.0 TAU Genesis Manual Suspension chapter in order to properly troubleshoot and resolve such issues That Manual is extremely useful and very resourceful in resolving such problems in most cases I can say 99% assuming that your vehicle has never been in a collision These type of issues are normally caused by wear and tear of suspension parts ie bushing and ball joints I am telling you these things because I have experienced the same exact problems 4X in the past All I did was replace the parts with new ones to name but a few tire rods, the tension arm, lateral arm, stabilizer link and strut. Suspect number one to me is always the tension arm Give it a shot and let us know before you throw away your cash

 

[Nolfol]

In for the update as well
Going through inner tires as well

 

[toxicavenger70]

In for the update as well
Going through inner tires as well

Have you had your alignment checked?

 

[Nolfol]

Have you had your alignment checked?

Had one 5 months ago (sheet is in the car )tech said he got as close as he could to fact spec but camber was off with no adjustability .
Just had new continentals put on this week
the struts are next on the list in the next few weeks then I’ll get another one pointless until I do the struts …they have 150k on them

 

[PRINCE KEN]

Have you had your alignment checked?

Had one 5 months ago (sheet is in the car )tech said he got as close as he could to fact spec but camber was off with no adjustability .
Just had new continentals put on this week
the struts are next on the list in the next few weeks then I’ll get another one pointless until I do the struts …they have 150k on them

Had the same exact issue with my other R Spec V8 Sedan got the spec sheet Tech said Camber was a problem which was true. So he told me to make a private appointment with him and meet him at a different shop to adjust it regardless of the fact that the repair manual says that camber is already factory set and the only thing that can disrupt the camber would be bent or deformed suspension parts. So I proceeded with the private appointment He reset the camber I asked him how he did it unfortunately he wouldn't tell me He asked for 200 bucks I said no I ended paying him 100 because he wouldn't tell me what he did but I found out later... very slick

 

[Nolfol]

So what did he do heat up and bend some stuff lol