I don't yet have a SF - my present 4wd is about the best compromise between ride/handling-on/off road capability there is, without spending Range-Rover money - it's not the best ride but it's good - it's not the best handling but it's good - it's not the best on-road but it's good - and it's not the best off-road but it's good. All these things have endeared it to me and I wouldn't like to lose very much of any of these capabilities.

I nearly bought a 2006 SF2 when it was announced but the body pitch/roll and unsporting handling went against it. But it was close so I've never put the SF out of my mind and may decide to get one if I can modify it to my tastes. Now it's been out a few years, what suspension upgrades are available for SF2? There's nothing in UK so I'd have to import parts but that's not a deal-breaker.

Firstly I'm thinking of anti-roll (anti-sway) bars and then dampers (shock absorbers) - I'm not looking at springs as I don't want to go any lower despite that being the best way to improve handling - it's important that I don't lose too much of the ride comfort.

Any help from the world-wide SF community would be much appreciated.

Hi,
If you want suspension upgrades without lowering I suggest you try the UK Hyundai club sites, If the north American set up is the same as the UK, I think you may find that The north Americans may find the suspension stiffer on the Santa Fe compared to their average SUV.
If your site name has anthing to do with your present vehicle, ( I don't mean Rupert) I am not suprised you find it soft, you will probably find a LR County soft, The Santy has to me one main failing and that is high speed understeer, and I don't think any amount of stiffening will overcome this. However its considerably better than a Renault 5 and can be hustled round country roads fairly quickly if you know how to use the available road correctly and keep the car balanced

Dartman, thanks for your response - my user name has no connection with Isuzu Trooper, it's a cryptic tribute to a small group of military heroes.

My comparator is the Subaru Outback - it doesn't have the composure on country roads of sports tourers like the Legacy or Impreza - due to the high centre of gravity inevitable on all vehicles with 200mm ground clearance and the soft, long-travel suspension needed for limited off-road use even the Outback rolls and pitches more than I'd like - but it can be hurried along twisty minor roads with indecent haste and minimal understeer, easily corrected by more throttle.

This is my benchmark for ride/handling/roadholding - my next car doesn't have to better this, getting close will enough as the Santa Fe has other merits that the Outback doesn't.

I note your point about high speed understeer and have already noted elsewhere that the SF already has a massive front anti-roll bar - maybe it needs a smaller front ARB but stiffer front springs.

It is an interesting topic. The suspension is probably the only thing I really don't like in the SantaFe.

I changed the springs about a month ago with Eibach ones. The difference is significant. The lowering is not that much and I think with the sport springs it is still higher than the Outback. The handling in the curves is way much better now. I don't know if you can find the Eibach springs in Europe - I got mine from US. You can read more about those springs in this topic:
http://www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?sh...=23349&st=0

I'm also interested in putting performance dampers but I'm not sure what are the options available. Has anyone done this to share his experience?

I recently drove a US version of Subaru forester (2009) - the comfort in Forester is nowhere near the Santa Fe. The handling in Forester is one idea better than that in Santa Fe though, and the Forester suspension was a little bit more stiffer than the one in Santa Fe (w/ original spings (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) .

Hi Again,
As its military, very cryptic. how was your Rupert?
With reference to the Eibach springs, was the the camber reset after the springs were fitted? if not, may be the answer to the understeer is to increase the -ve camber. This will leave the comfort the same, dampening to cut out roll without affecting the ride could be achieved by fitting progressive shocks, though this may be a problem as its MacPherson at the front and therefore would need a new leg, or the leg could be adapted for an insert.
With the general standard of UK roads and driving its probably a waste of time and money, you would always find the proverbial Nissan Micra or Toyota Corolla in the way that seem to travel at 45 mph max everyywhere including 30 zones, unless you spend all your driving between 0100 and 0530 LOL

Yes, we get Eibach suspension upgrades in Europe, they're a German company! They do have sales outlets in the US and UK.

I'm a bit baffled by your comparison - my '06 Outback's ground clearance is 200mm with ramp-over angle of 22 degrees, according to it's brochure - the UK brochure for the '08 SF2 gives 203mm ground clearance with only 18.4 degrees ramp-over - this is why I don't think I want to go lower at all if I buy a SF and make suspension changes.

I will have a good look at the links to Eibach.

I'm having troubles finding a shock absorber replacements for my 2008 SantaFe. I don't want to go to the "stealer", but can't find any after market replacements.

Is anyone have a hint where to look. I'm looking for nice shock absorber to replace my OEM onse since they are already gone. It will be good if the new shocks are more stiffer than the OEM one.

Thanks!

Well I just keep drawing blanks - Eibach and H&R only do lowering springs - King Springs only do raising springs - none of which meet my needs.

I did find Whiteline anti-roll bars (anti-sway bars) - these are 30mm - is that how big they have to be to get a Santa Fe under control? How big are the standard anti-roll bars?

C'mon guys (and gals) I need your help, please?