These are OEM SE strut inserts and shocks, though I suppose an outside company could have manufactured them for Hyundai. The more I drive the Sonata, the more noticeable the suspension shortcomings become apparent. As an every-day driver, I love this car except for the **** suspension. I am hoping that the SE shocks and strut inserts when combined with the SMA springs, improve both the ride quality and the handling. I chose the SMA springs because they are manufactured in Korea by a company familiar with Korean Automobiles. In the end, it may not add up to much but for me it was worth the extra money.

As for KYB, my plan was to wait on the release of their shocks and strut inserts. Although billed as OEM replacement, I have to believe they will far superior damping qualities as compared to OEM. I just decided not to wait when Steve offered to cut me a deal.

As for the earlier question about comparing the part numbers to other models; I was standing along side Steve inside the parts room looking at the part numbers and the descriptions on the computer screen and I can tell you definitively, there are different part numbers for the shocks and strut inserts for the SE and Limited. I saw no need to write down the limited part numbers. The descriptive name for the SE components was “sport tuned.”

As some of you may know, about two months ago I bought a 2004 Mazda Speed Miata, which has a factory inter-cooled turbo. This car has been receiving the bulk of my attention as of late with a host of upgrades that include: DBA drilled and slotted rotors, Hawk brake pads, larger intercooler, boost gauge, full Flyin’ Miata exhaust system, full fluid change with all synthetic fluids, and list keeps going. Three weekends in a row with major DIY projects. Now that I have settled down on spending time and money on the Miata, I will pull the Sonata into the garage and install the shocks, struts and springs.

good luck with the strut upgrade...PLEASE keep us updated....i really hate this suspension!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to break this to ya, but the difference, if any, is going to minimal at best. Minimal in the sense of you would not notice any difference. Now the spring are going to give you a lower center of gravity, so that will diffinitely help, but the struts will not.

Also, if you want to truely enhance handling. Then you need to upgrade your tires. That is were the rubber meets the road (literally). That determines the handling characteristics more then anything else.

One step ahead of you, I am running Yokohama YK520's and yes they helped!!

And as for the difference being minimal, you know this how?

I'm going to be running Eagle F1s GS-D3. And I know this, because I have been tuning cars for a very long time. I even have seen people put on aftermarket struts on thier otherwise stock car and claim a huge performance gain. In fact, I am surprised that there are any difference in the part numbers.

FYI you can buy rear KYB shocks for the Sonata from autohausaz.com already.

If you know Korean (Or can have someone order these) here are some Bilsteins...

Click Here!

Any update????

I noticed the KYB shocks and struts for the 2009 Sonata on a few auto parts sites. Has anyone gone ahead and had any of these parts installed? If I heard that anyone had success with the new parts cutting out the suspension noise and bouncing, I would have them put on my 2009 ASAP.

Hello Fragile. On which sites did you see the struts? Thanks.

Hello,
Sorry I guess it was not struts but rear shocks for the 2009.

When you say strut, is it the spring or the entire damper (shock)-spring assembly?