Hyundai Suspension & Shift Options

[dandaroy]

From personal experience (2009 Sonata Ltd V6), from other users and article reviews, and reports, it is fairly obvious that as a company the number 1 design issue that ails the Hyundai lineup is the noisy suspension. Also, this impression is bolstered after driving other competitor cars. I think almost all the vehicles in the fleet suffer from noisy, jarring, unsettling and unrefined suspensions, some more some less. Is there any car in the Hyundai lineup that does not have this problem?

The second most obivous design flaw IMHO is the shifting of the transmission. It is not as rampant as the suspension flaw, but it is there. Although I laud Hyundai for trying to fix this problem through TSBs, but should it not have been fixed at the design stage when it is a known fact? The shifting in my car has smoothed out considerably after 2 TSBs (it was atrocious in the beginning), but it is not as smooth as some of the competition and even cheaper entry level cars.

What say y'all??

This post has been edited by dandaroy: Jul 2 2009, 08:09 PM

[MiamiLX]

Come on Buddy. I just reviewed all 101 of your posts, and in one third of them you talk about

the horrible Sonata suspension & Transmission. Nothing is wrong with most of our Cars, and we would appreciate if you

just add any new thoughts to the Sonata Suspension threads you have been participating in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

This post has been edited by MiamiLX: Jul 3 2009, 12:04 PM

[CptGloval]

I've got an 06 sonata, and have even pulled several uhauls weighing a considerable amount, and have never had a real problem with my suspension. Same with the transmission. Its never been noisy on mine, and it shifts fine.

This post has been edited by CptGloval: Jul 2 2009, 09:35 PM

[SonataRobbie]

I've got an 06 sonata, and have even pulled several uhauls weighing a considerable amount, and have never had a real problem with my suspension. Same with the transmission. Its never been noisy on mine, and it shifts fine.

Why on Earth would you be pulling U-Haul's? Especially in the plural form. Do you work for them or something?

[CptGloval]

Why on Earth would you be pulling U-Haul's? Especially in the plural form. Do you work for them or something?

No I don't. But i've pulled a motorcycle a couple of times in a 5x8 for a friend. And I moved from IL to Mo for college and then back to IL once I finished college. In the course of the two years i've pulled a uhaul at least seven times. 5x8 and 4x8's. Never had any problems. Car pulls good, with the class one hidden hitch. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

btw- sonata still gets good gas millage if you balance the uhaul right. I was getting 18-20 mpg. Normal for my car highway is 27 mpg.

This post has been edited by CptGloval: Jul 2 2009, 10:22 PM

[Dennis the Menni...]

+1; St Louis to Chattanooga, TN

[SonataRobbie]

In the course of the two years i've pulled a uhaul at least seven times. 5x8 and 4x8's. Never had any problems. Car pulls good, with the class one hidden hitch.

I completely misunderstood the post about pulling U-Haul's. I instantly pictured your Sonata towing a huge 26' truck. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laughing.gif)

It reminded me of something I saw about three weeks ago. Someone in a Hummer H2 was towing a tractor-trailer truck (no trailer, though) on the highway shoulder. It was the damnedest thing I've seen in quite some time.

[dandaroy]

Come on Buddy. I just reviewed all 101 of your posts, and in one third of them you talk about

the horrible Sonata suspension & Transmission. Nothing is wrong with most of our Cars, and we would appreciate if you

just add any new thoughts to the Sonata Suspension threads you have been participating in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

So what are you trying to imply? Just because I am criticizing the car, I have no right to post them. Last time I checked this is a public forum about Hyundai and as long as I do not violate any forum rules I have the right to post whatever I want to express. What is your problem, dude? You complain about my whining, I notice you always criticize other people's post all the time. Why the heck do you not lay off doing that and I will **** less. Otherwise, get lost!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bwekk.gif)

This post has been edited by dandaroy: Jul 3 2009, 05:47 PM

[mamamia]

I have the right to post whatever I want to express.(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bwekk.gif)

You sure have the right to post here any complaints/bickering/whining/frustrations about your Sonata, dandaroy.

While others here have the right to CRITICIZE your complaints/bickering/whining/frustrations as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif)

All in all, this forum is meant for members to EXCHANGE helpful technical information and ideas about the car. It's obvious you're very unhappy about the car you purchased. I think you should blame most of it on YOURSELF: The "horrible" suspension you're so repeatedly complaining about --- that's part of what's called TEST DRIVE that you should have conducted before buying the car. And as far as the "terrible depreciation" --- well, hmmmm.... A smart consumer is expected to do his homework, before deciding on which car to buy.

fact is, MOST 4G Sonata owners are VERY satisfied with their purchase. And MOST of the professional reviews of the 4G Sonata have been EXTREMELY favorable reviews....

[MiamiLX]

Thank you Mama. Happy Holiday Weekend!

[willsboattail]

Come on Buddy. I just reviewed all 101 of your posts, and in one third of them you talk about

the horrible Sonata suspension & Transmission. Nothing is wrong with most of our Cars, and we would appreciate if you

just add any new thoughts to the Sonata Suspension threads you have been participating in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

NOW, NOW, Boys... Play nice! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/gitara.gif)
Being the owner of an 06 V6 LX and a member for 3 here years, I agree with the suspension noise comments, as I struggle with them still. Many others post the same. IT IS a Hyundai trait, carried through to a recently test driven 2009 Sonata limited.
I disagree with the transmission compliants. My 06 just turned 30K with smooth and quiet shifting I really enjoy!

[dandaroy]

You sure have the right to post here any complaints/bickering/whining/frustrations about your Sonata, dandaroy.

While others here have the right to CRITICIZE your complaints/bickering/whining/frustrations as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif)

All in all, this forum is meant for members to EXCHANGE helpful technical information and ideas about the car. It's obvious you're very unhappy about the car you purchased. I think you should blame most of it on YOURSELF: The "horrible" suspension you're so repeatedly complaining about --- that's part of what's called TEST DRIVE that you should have conducted before buying the car. And as far as the "terrible depreciation" --- well, hmmmm.... A smart consumer is expected to do his homework, before deciding on which car to buy.

fact is, MOST 4G Sonata owners are VERY satisfied with their purchase. And MOST of the professional reviews of the 4G Sonata have been EXTREMELY favorable reviews....

Yes when you put it like that I have no complaints. It is entirely my fault for making an impulse decision and not checking things out as I typically do.

[CptGloval]

Just buy new shocks/struts for your car. Think of it as part of the original price tag for the car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Then you won't be so disappointed or mad about it. They are not vastly expensive to get done.

[i360]

You do have the right to be unhappy with your product.

Although my Sonata is a little busier then I would like I don't think of it as that much of a problem.

I think perhaps the shocks could have a little more damper....

But... With KYB, Bilstein and other shocks on the horizon you may be able to find some relief.

Wonder if Koni is ever gonna get on board, that would be nice.....
(Strike that apparently Koni has some as well)

This post has been edited by i360: Jul 4 2009, 12:10 AM

[ems1]

Just buy new shocks/struts for your car. Think of it as part of the original price tag for the car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Then you won't be so disappointed or mad about it. They are not vastly expensive to get done.

Has anyone actually solved the clunka clunka noise in the suspension by replacing the shocks? I haven't seen anything here or in any forum that they have. If that would resolve the noise issue I'd be ordering them now. The suspension noise is annoying and unacceptable for any car. I had a rental Corolla for a few days. Overall, it is a cheap piece of junk compared to my Sonata but the suspension didn't clunk like a '50s pickup with a worn suspension.

My other car is a Saturn Vue. They have pretty well documented front suspension noise issues and from other owners experiences and comments in saturn forums I was able to fix my Vue pretty easily. Not the case here.

[hyperlexis]

No, I'd actually say one of the biggest problems with Hyundai's has historically been fuel efficiency. Historically they have not been able to meet or best their counterparts in terms of MPG. My 2.4 5spd Sonata was factory rated at 21c-29 h (Those numbers have now been retroactively rated even lower by the EPA under its new rating program). Thats with a 139 hp 4 cyl and a stick, mind you. They are either grossly overweighted vehicles or their powertrains were just not as well designed as possible, at least vis a vis Honda's, Toyota or even the domestics'. Apparently Koreans have never heard of aluminum alloy. Newer models have somewhat better MPG, but still nothing stellar.

Anyway, regarding the suspension, yes, even out the door the sedans'/hatchs' suspensions have never been rated that highly by reviewers, aside from perhaps the new Genesis. Mine has had a few TSBs and now that I have decided to replace the old struts, I will have to look into doing the TSB work as well. Something about replacing strut mounts or bumpers if I recall.

My concern now is is it best to get the original, very expensive OEM struts or are aftermarket ones superior? I do not want to drop the suspension or tune it -- I just want the suspension as good or better than new in terms of comfort, performance and long-lasting parts. There is a German company called Sachs that seems to make good shocks, and I have heard AC Delco's shocks are good as well. Other aftermarket models I have heard mixed reviews about. I'd really like to know who makes Hyudai's OEM shocks in Korea. The local Hyundai dealer wants a lot of money for the OEMs, even the basic non-gas-filled versions. Alas, not a lot of info out there on the strut/suspension topic.

[MiamiLX]

No, I'd actually say one of the biggest problems with Hyundai's has historically been fuel efficiency. Historically they have not been able to meet or best their counterparts in terms of MPG. My 2.4 5spd Sonata was factory rated at 21c-29 h (Those numbers have now been retroactively rated even lower by the EPA under its new rating program). Thats with a 139 hp 4 cyl and a stick, mind you. They are either grossly overweighted vehicles or their powertrains were just not as well designed as possible, at least vis a vis Honda's, Toyota or even the domestics'. Apparently Koreans have never heard of aluminum alloy. Newer models have somewhat better MPG, but still nothing stellar.

You are driving an Ancient Automobile made in the last Century. The Korean's have heard of Aluminum,

The South using it in the new Engines, and the North using it in their new Missiles (IMG:style_emoticons/default/banana.gif)

Not sure what you are trying to tell us about Fuel consumption, but the LAMBDA V6 puts out 100

more Horsepower than your old Power plant, and I can get 33 with the V3.3 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

[hmr1979]

From personal experience (2009 Sonata Ltd V6), from other users and article reviews, and reports, it is fairly obvious that as a company the number 1 design issue that ails the Hyundai lineup is the noisy suspension. Also, this impression is bolstered after driving other competitor cars. I think almost all the vehicles in the fleet suffer from noisy, jarring, unsettling and unrefined suspensions, some more some less. Is there any car in the Hyundai lineup that does not have this problem?

The second most obivous design flaw IMHO is the shifting of the transmission. It is not as rampant as the suspension flaw, but it is there. Although I laud Hyundai for trying to fix this problem through TSBs, but should it not have been fixed at the design stage when it is a known fact? The shifting in my car has smoothed out considerably after 2 TSBs (it was atrocious in the beginning), but it is not as smooth as some of the competition and even cheaper entry level cars.

What say y'all??

All I can say is that I am pretty surprised that the 09s still have these issues. I have an 06 and I think most everyone on this forum will agree that the transmission could be improved ....a lot.

They did improve the interior, it looks much much nicer, but as far as transmission I guess we will have to wait until the new generation comes out.

Until then, Hyundai engineers should frequent this forum. This is cheap...or actually free research right here...i.e. transmission not to par, please change it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[hmr1979]

and I can get 33 with the V3.3 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

hmm i assume you are going 55-60 and driving alone, completely empty without anything in your car. 33 sounds very optimistic

[MiamiLX]

hmm i assume you are going 55-60 and driving alone, completely empty without anything in your car. 33 sounds very optimistic

Yes.