alignment question
 

My '04 Santa Fe has a definite difference between the way the front and rear
tires sit on the road. The front wheels look normal but the rears have a
noticeable inward lean towards the vehicle [camber?]. I noticed my son's '04
is doing the same thing! Today I was following another Santa Fe on my way to
work and observed that it too had a noticeable tilt on the rear wheels, even
worse that mine. I have never overloaded the car, so I know the springs are
not damaged. No accidents, and no rough driving, tire pressures are normal,
in fact it only has 24000 miles on it in the 2 1/2 years I have owned it.
However, all 4 tires show excessive wear on the inside edges [the tires have
been rotated 3 times] and will need to be replaced soon.
The dealer says he has not had any complaints, but acknowledges that three
very similar vehicles exhibiting the same problem is strange and wants to
look at it. I have an appointment next week to have it checked.
Has anyone else had a similar problem, or know of anything that would cause
such a thing? I suspect the rear springs may be settling too much or are
possibly defective or were never strong enough to begin with.
I would like to know when I go to the dealer if this is a known problem or
just a very strange coincidence.

FHM

Re: alignment question
 

I can't say what's normal for a Santa Fe, but many cars have negative
camber on the rear wheels, but not on the front. If the car is aligned
to spec, don't worry about it.

Re: alignment question
 

I can't say what's normal for a Santa Fe, but many cars have negative
camber on the rear wheels, but not on the front. If the car is aligned
to spec, don't worry about it.

Re: alignment question
 

I can't say what's normal for a Santa Fe, but many cars have negative
camber on the rear wheels, but not on the front. If the car is aligned
to spec, don't worry about it.

Re: alignment question
 

The rear camber isn't even adjustable on the Santa Fe. The fact that three
separate vehicles exhibit the condition would make me suspect that it may
be designed that way, as Brian alluded. The tire wear would be enough to
make me do an alignment. When they do that, they should be able to tell
you whether anything appears abnormal with the rear suspension or if
anything's out of spec.

Re: alignment question
 

The rear camber isn't even adjustable on the Santa Fe. The fact that three
separate vehicles exhibit the condition would make me suspect that it may
be designed that way, as Brian alluded. The tire wear would be enough to
make me do an alignment. When they do that, they should be able to tell
you whether anything appears abnormal with the rear suspension or if
anything's out of spec.

Re: alignment question
 

The rear camber isn't even adjustable on the Santa Fe. The fact that three
separate vehicles exhibit the condition would make me suspect that it may
be designed that way, as Brian alluded. The tire wear would be enough to
make me do an alignment. When they do that, they should be able to tell
you whether anything appears abnormal with the rear suspension or if
anything's out of spec.