The regional service manager called with the following information. He contacted corporate HQ and the technical departments to get the information.
There is no essential difference between the 040, 041 and 640 shocks. The numbers relate to the year of manufacture and not a change in the design of the shocks. The 040's were used in the TSB to eliminate the "noise" caused by the 041. The ride/wallowing/bouncing, etc. would not be affected.
All three shocks are gas-filled, so there is no change in '08. Also, there is no significant change in the suspensions between '06, '07 and '08.
The 040 and 640 are "identical."
The 2008 and 2009 will have the same suspension characteristics as the 2006 and 2007.
Bottom line: "The car is operating the way designed."
All in all, it is still a great car, but IMO, it should ride better for the class and price.

Again, if it really is the same as 2006/2007, why would Hyundai go out of their way to state the following:

"Featuring an all-new suspension for 2008"

To falsely state something is new, when there is nothing new but the part number is just asking for a lawsuit in today's society. FWIW, I'm not trying to discredit you, but I wouldn't be suprised if the regional manager is FOS. I can't even begin to tell you how much bad information I've had given out by so-called higher ups at VW and even Lexus.

On a side note, we need a Moderator to create a suspension issue/discussion sticky thread. I've lost count of all the supension related threads that have been created in the short time I've been here.

This post has been edited by jwaters943: Jun 23 2008, 12:50 PM

:)

"I wouldn't be surprised if the regional manager is FOS."

Well said. We already know for sure that there is another part number for MY2008.

We even have a picture of the new shock thanks to Tim Carr up in Northern California
(See: tcarr925 . . Post # 291) who I think has installed a pair himself and reports:
. . "This really seems to make the front of my car feel much better.
As I have stated in earlier post, I never had any clunking; I didn't like the ride at low low speeds
15-25 and also the car would start dancing on rthymic bumpy Interstate. I still cannot
confirm the highway bumpiness is gone - the freeway I noticed it on is 400 miles away.
But the ride on my local freeways and the ride while driving slowly is much much better."

So now one wonders why that clown, the regional service manager, told Carolina
Bob regarding there being no difference in 040s and 640s.

Of course, only time and mileage will tell if these new parts will indeed hold up and not go
away as I have had two sets of factory shocks do already in less than 10K miles total.

Perhaps it would not hurt everyone that is concerned to write Tokico Shocks as I did earlier today.
Try: http://www.hitachi-hap-la.com/TokicoGasShocks/
Click on "Contact" and tell 'em what you want.
I already received a reply back and was told by Mr. David Chou that although they had no plans
to develope shocks for our cars at this time, that didn't mean that this could not occur later.
He said that he had another request already today besides mine.
So there are indeed others who are interested. So write 'em! :whistling:

:amen:

This post has been edited by snaglepus: Jun 23 2008, 04:31 PM

2008 Azera brochure scan FWIW:

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/jwaters943/Azera-1.jpg)

Yep, look at that - says it right there on the label.

Maybe that text is recycled from 2006? :-/

They changed a part number and maybe a bushing so that makes it "all new". What a load.

:)

They did actually change the front shocks. :amen:

:P

I believe that you guys are misreading the advertisement regarding the suspension.

In Korean, "all-new suspension" means that they don't make the suspension with "used" parts. Each part of the suspension is all new parts. :whistling:

...I'ont care who y'are...that's funny right thar. :laughing:

What is you're telling me is... is that the response from hyundai is that there's no response at all.

This post has been edited by boostedfc3s: Jun 24 2008, 04:40 PM

I think you've got it! That explains why the 2006/2007 Azera suspension feels so worn out, it's made utilizing used parts!! :bwekk: :57:

I'm glad they saw fit to give the 2008 models a "new" suspension. :P

Thanks for the post. That clears up a lot of things. Used parts indeed! How silly that none of us picked up on that a couple years ago. How dare they(the Koreans)?????. Thanks again.........I think. :whistling: