So, I wonder over to my neighborhood Hyundai dealership this morning for an oil change, the service advisor was checking out some of my mods when I point out my folding mirrors. He says to me, I have to show these to my parts manager, so he calls him out. As the parts manager is walking toward the car I recognize him, turns out he is an old neighbor of mine. We chat about the mirrors for a second and he brings me inside to show me a picture of his '67 GTO. While inside I said hey Steve, do me a favor; check the part numbers on the Sonata SE and Limited shocks and struts. He did and they were different and in fact the factory descriptive described the SE shocks and struts as "sport tuned." I told him about my new SMA springs and the reason I had not yet installed them is because I was waiting on aftermarket replacement units. He says to me, do you want a set of the SE shocks and struts, I said how much, and he replied “dealer cost plus 10 percent”, I said order them up. He also offered to take them back if they do not fit.

Stay tuned sports fans. . .

Cool. How long until the dealership gets them in?

About three days he said!

So it wasn't just my imagination when I told everyone that the SE rode better than the GLS or the Limited. I have driven all three and perfer the ride of the SE. And to this day, I have never heard the famous Ka-thunk everyone complains about.

keep us updated - let us know will the suspension make as much noise as it does in 09 now - cause it sounds bad

If you can, please ask you buddy if the 2009 SE Struts/Shocks will fit 2007 models. By any chance, could you get the part numbers? Many thanks.

How much is it costing you?

This post has been edited by dandaroy: Jun 22 2009, 04:37 PM

When you drove the SE did you go over bumps?

I drive an SE as well and love the way it rides. Stiff enough to have some fun in moderate turns, but soft enough to make highway driving relaxing. I can actually drive over minor potholes and not feel like I'm bottoming out. I used to avoid EVERY pothole, no matter how small, back when I had my '04 tibby for just that reason. Now I don't worry so much about it, since even moderate potholes only feel like I ran over a mouse or possibly a stray cat.

EDIT: I just saw dandaroy's post above and wanted to chime in. The speed bumps in my community used to scrape my tibby's exhaust, no matter how much of an angle I'd take them at, to give you an idea of how ridiculously high they are. Now I can run over them in my Sonata at 15-20 mph and all I hear is a soft "whoosh" as I pass over them.

This post has been edited by saige1r: Jun 22 2009, 05:22 PM

If the SE has a harder ride than the other trim levels, I sure wouldn't want to be riding too long in one, that's for sure!

The roads in Omaha are extremely rough and a lot of the rural areas are gravel. My Sonata SE handles them well. I've taken the car a several road trips averaging 8 hours or more and the Sonata SE is very comfortable in the ride. I don't feel the road bumps and imperfections as I did in our Grand Prix. Our local dealer gave us a 2009 Sonata GLS as a loaner, and it was as if I was driving on a different stretch of road on the way home. The difference was night and day. I'll report on how the SE handels the Mountains and the terrain around Colorado Springs when I get back.

im assuming that the SE for years 2007-2008 is the same as the GLS V6 for year 2006? (the "middle" model)..

Not really. The SE is the sportier trim of the Sonata, with a stiffer suspension and whatnot.

so the SE is more like the LX of 2006?

Not sure if the LX's came with a stiffer suspension, but if they did, then you would be right I guess (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I read over some specs regarding the Sonata's Suspension and the differences between the SE and other models. The differences were quite minimal. Now I've not driven any other models (pretty sure I test drove another SE) but all in all I am pleased with my car's suspension. I too haven't heard that thunk in the rear. I hear gas thunking around the tank but that's about it.

Well good luck with the suspension. I do think you'd have better luck with something aftermarket, but this is probably a "safer" upgrade seeing as you're car's so new and under warranty.

The part numbers are as follows:

Strut Assembly, 54611 - 3K650, list $143.37 my cost $97.78 each
Shock Absorber, 55311 - 3K640, list $136.69 my cost $93.23 each

I was told that if the SE shocks and struts fits my 09 limited it will also fit the 2007 model.

I have not yet got to the install so please be patient.

Just as a point. Does anybody have the part numbers for the other models to see how they compare? Does the SE come in a 4 cyl or just 6 cyl? Would the weight change it?

Many thanks. This is great information. According to KYB’s online catalog, their struts are scheduled for release in the 1st quarter 2010. I just checked online (http://www.autocarparts.com/part/list/936/) and the cost of GR-2 struts for an Altima are $135 for a front pair and $85 for a rear pair. The price for a Honda Accord is $200 for a front pair and $201 for a rear pair. I’ll be curious to see how they price struts for our Sonata.

It appears KYB might be cheaper, but I don’t know what model strut they offer yet. At this time, the catalog does not specify anything. According to KYB, their GR-2 is just an OEM replacement strut. If it is not firmer than OEM, they won’t suit my needs. KYB also offers a model called the AGX, which is an adjustable performance strut. On the softer setting, it is supposed to offer a complaint ride, but something tells me KYB will only offer the GR-2.

I still need more information about KYB, but at this point the 2009 SE struts seem like the best choice. We know they are firmer, but not bone jarring. I can’t wait to hear about your install. Thank you very much.

\

JTDROZE,

Who's the manufacturer? I wonder if our Sonatas not only suffers from shock design but from whole strut assembly. This is why I'm thinking to replace the whole thing to make sure I get rid of that noise once for all.

Thanks,

Charles