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Compared to a GM car or a Lexus, the Genesis handles fine. Compared to a BMW---no, it's not even close. So say the mags anyway.
Honestly, I could go as far as saying that the suspension on the Genesis is as good as most that come from the Japanese makers and will hold up well against most American offerings as well. Of course I'm talking about cars of the same ilk as the Genesis.
However, the suspension must offer something good if the skid pad numbers were pretty darn good as it out performed a Benz E550 (0.89 g) & a BMW 550i (0.90 g) in dry cornering by posting a 0.94 g. It was also said to be on par with other performance sedans known for handling in regards to slalom testing. Check out the videos for yourself...
Hyundai Genesis Performance Videos
A skateboard gets excellent ratings on a skidpad I bet. :P
I would agree with the looks good on paper statement, but they actually show the cars in action in the videos. In order for them to get those #'s...testing had to be done, so it's not like they are projected #'s.
from lack of proper jounce and rebound control, that's fine with me!
I can't say that I would like the sort of symptoms you describe, but my 2006 Azera does not exhibit any of them - at least under the conditions in which it is operated. I see that you live in California, the land of high speed and good roads.
Here in Michigan, due to a combination of a cash strapped government and constant thawing and refreezing during the winter, our roads are atrocious. The soft ride of the Azera seems to be designed for these conditions. The previous comments in this blog concerning the roughness of Korean roads shows me where Hyundai gets its priorities for suspension.
It just seems odd how some posters here are convinced that we Azera owners who do not have suspension problems are simply too ignorant to see the problems that are so obviously there ( at least to them ). Granted, I do not operate my Azera at extremely high speeds, but up to 80MPH on the freeway it works just fine and is superb on the nasty side roads.
No I'm not a Buckeye! I'm a Spartan and I'm proud of that.
Does this new acquisition replace your Azera? I know you did a lot of terrific mods to it.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to drive it for almost a month now as the dealer is waiting for the seat heating element to get here from Korea so it can be replaced. :sick: They've got me in a loaner (09 Sonata w/I4 engine) and it SUCKS!!! The best thing about the car is the XM radio and the USB connectivity (I have been plugging 2 GB flash drives in and listening to all kinds of music. I tell you, going from my Azera to the Sonata is like going from a Harley to a bicycle! LOL
Stay tuned...still more mods to come on the Azera, but at the same time...I've gotta put in some work on fixin up the wife's A6. Nothing over the top, but she wants to shine a little too.
I have a 2006 Limited with 45k on it and would love to fix the issue with the "clunking" sound and we also experience the same issue you mentioned about the RR tracks. What did mention to the service writer to check?
Thanks in advance.
- Jim
Part of post #470 on Azera 2008 forum:
I have read Hyundai message boards on Edmunds for all of one day.
I am looking at Hyundai for the first time (found good reviews on the Azera) and have much to learn.
I found a used 2008 Azera Limited 3.8L (18,000) online at a local non-Hyundai dealership.
From your Hyundai warranty experiences, how well does Hyundai stand behind their warranty?
All of post #472 on Azera 2008 forum:
Update and further questions on the 2008 Hyundai Azera I am considering purchasing from a non-Hyundai dealership.
I looked at the build date for the 2008 Azera (on the bottom of the door pillar between the drive’s door and the back seat door). The build date was June 02, 2007 so the Azera is a candidate for the “dreaded front suspension problem” (cars built after 10/20/07 have better quality shock absorbs than those build before 10/20/07). I printed out a copy of TSB 07-50-007 which covers this issue.
From what I read in the Hyundai forums the TSB calls for a replacement of an inferior front shock absorber 54611-3L041 with an equally inferior front shock absorber 54611-3L040. I understand the real solution to the problem is to install a better quality front shock absorber 54611-3L640.
Do ALL 2008 Hyundai Azera sedans built before 10/20/07 need all four of their shock absorbers upgraded to the new and better quality shock absorbers? I understand the back 2 shock absorbers have different part numbers than the front 2 shock absorbers.
Has Hyundai developed a solution to this problem that is available to me if I purchase this vehicle?
Do I forget this vehicle or is there a way to purchase the car and get the better shock absorbers (i.e. the 54611-3L640 on the front) installed without any additional cost to me?
I am not interested in purchasing a 2008 automobile with existing problems.
Any suggestions on how to proceed is appreciated.
The mount is about $32 each side. I don't know about the labor from your area. I can find Independent Mechanics here changing for $50 each side.
After seating in other cars (2004 BMW328i, 2002 Acura TL, 2008 Honda Accord) when I carpool on the same road every day with my co-workers, I found out that the ride on the Azera was not that bad at all. The noise is there but unless you really pay attention and the road is really rough, you may be able to hear it if you have the stereo off. As a matter of fact, the Azera is probably one of the most quiet among the others cars. Of course it is also one of the softest ride car. I don't find a problem with the soft ride because strangely it is only soft when you go straight on the rough and uneven road, however, when you turn it feels pretty solid and safe (to me). I trade in my 1998 Q45 for this azera and the ride is very similar with the Q45. Compare to my wife German BMW, it is totally a different ride. The BMW does handle much better but it is a liitle too hard and bumpy for me (She has the Sport suspension). Whatever I said here is my own opinion and i do not mean to offend anyone with BMW, Acura or Honda. I didn't mean to say Axera is better but for the money that I paid, i think it's a value. I paid less than $14000 for a fully loaded (with the ultimate package) V6 2006 azera with leather and only has 9000 miles on it with the remaing 3 years and 50K warranty on it.
the drive’s door and the back seat door). The build date was June 02, 2007 so the
Azera is a candidate for the “dreaded front suspension problem” (cars built after
10/20/07 have better quality shock absorbs than those build before 10/20/07).
I printed out a copy of TSB 07-50-007 which covers this issue."
You are considering a 2008 which has the same shocks front and back as the 2007s.
Read that TSB again. It does not apply to any Azeras built after February 26, 2007.
"From what I read in the Hyundai forums the TSB calls for a replacement of an inferior front
shock absorber 54611-3L041 with an equally inferior front shock absorber 54611-3L040.
I understand the real solution to the problem is to install a better quality front shock absorber 54611-3L640."
Where are you going to find a better quality front shock? Not from Hyundai.
Front 640s are not a solution to the problem, as the 640 parts have
failed in a number of vehicles in which they have been installed.
There is one person who paid for the 640 shock parts for both front and back and
installed them himself and I have ridden in his car and it is half-way decent.
But mine and many others have had the fronts only done and most all of us are not happy as these 640 parts can go bad the same as the 041s and the 040s have done.
I am on my third set of shocks and all sets have failed. Had to threaten the Lemon-Law
to get the 640s installed even though the mecahnic that did the TSB replacements
said the 040s were bad. (He got fired for not changing his recommendation.)
"Do ALL 2008 Hyundai Azera sedans built before 10/20/07 need all four of their shock absorbers upgraded to the new and better quality shock absorbers? I understand the back 2 shock absorbers have different part numbers than the front 2 shock absorbers."
The latest vehicles, those built after 10/20/07 have 640s all around, both front and rear.
The front parts are 54611-3L640
The rear parts are 55311-3L640
"Has Hyundai developed a solution to this problem that
is available to me if I purchase this vehicle?"
In a word NO.
"Do I forget this vehicle or is there a way to purchase the car and get the better shock
absorbers (i.e. the 54611-3L640 on the front) installed without any additional cost to me?"
In a word YES.
Forget it unless you want to go to the expense yourself of installing and paying for both front and rear shocks and while that might correct the problem, it is not guaranteed.
In my case, the dealer told me that the 640s would not fit.
After threating to go Lemon-Law, all of a sudden those front parts
were authorized as a "Goodwill' gesture by the factory rep.
But within a very few short miles, the newest wore off and the front end was
porpusing, wallowing and undulating from side to side just as it had done
before with the bad original 041s and the TSB replacement 040s.
Hyundai does not have any decent shocks for the Azera, and does not seem
to be the slightest bit interested in correcting this engineering shortcoming.
No one and I mean no body makes an aftermarket shock to address this problem.
I suspect that there may not be any more Azeras after the MY 2009s.
Hyundais' attitude is to not be bothered with fixing this one problem
which ruins and otherwise excellent automobile.
"I am not interested in purchasing a 2008 automobile with existing problems."
As I have outlined above, IF you drive this car that you are interested in
and I mean really drive it over all kinds of roads for many miles and
you can be satisfied with the way it rides, go for it.
Good luck with your decision and please keep us posted.
What they did was replace what they called the upper strut mount. You can not believe the diferance, it's great. Yes it was covered by the warranty. Of course I had complained about it since the car was new and did have a claim number at Hyundai. USA. I think the service department was happy to get rid on me. It was worth the hassle, the clunk is gone!
Hey thanks for the information buddy. Only thing I can see is trying to "prove" the issue and them giving me hell. But one good thing on my side is a friend of my Fathers is adding a Hyundai Dealership in Long Beach that have a reliable service dept that does great work on Chevrolet's will see what happens...
Thanks again,
- Jim
I may test drive an Azera and am wondering what kind of road will fully test the suspension. From what I have read a straight rough road with many pot holes should do it. I am also thinking of finding a road with several railroads tracks crossing it.
I will drive my Honda Accord over the road before the Azera for a comparison and I will drive the same path at the same speed (appropriate for the road conditions) with both vehicles.
Is the “clunk” people hear just another aspect of the front end suspension problem or is it a different issue separate from the suspension problem? Should I hear a "clunk" when I drive over my rough road of choice?
I expect the Azera will easily bottom out when driven over a rough road.
Any road test suggestions are welcome.
Try a concrete road with a lot of joints. Also one where there are small dips or rises, particularly on one side but not the other.
Try at low speeds and high speeds when possible.
Railroad tracks are also a ggod test, particularly if they cross at an angle or you can cross them at an angle.
On good roads, the ride is better than anything I have been in. Good luck and tell them you want it for 1.5-2 hours of driving. I have had dealers say I could take cars home overnight or drive them to my home even though 25 miles away.
I recently purchases a used 2007 Azera Limited. I love the car...
Except...
I am experiencing several problems... here is my list:
1. I started noticing a problem with the suspension (clunking over every bump and what seems like a lot of bouncing around).
2. A squeek with every bump/pothole I hit that sounds like it is coming from the right front of the dashboard or beyond.
3. some steady shaking of the steering wheel at highway speeds
4. I have also noticed that there is a slight jolt or lack there of (maybe it feels like a gear is slipping ... I can not really explain it since I am not technical) when the car is cold and I start driving... it ussually goes away once I have been driving for several minutes.
So here is what I am asking... I have been reading a lot about the clunkiness with the suspension ... but can someone please post a reply to me stating what it is I should be telling the dealership the first time I go to them with these problems... and then what I should be telling them with the return visit if they fail to resolve these problems...
Also I have been told my dealership may charge a fee for looking over the car ... is that normal practice since my vehicle is still under warranty? I have 45,000 miles on it and I am the second owner.
Thanks again for any response...
... Drive on
Regarding the wheel shaking, I didn't experience it but from the other posts, tires were worn out from the inside. If you fight hard, you may be able to get the Dealer or Huyndai tor eplace the tires for you. I didn't experience the others problems on my 2006 Azera Limited. Good Luck
How should I approach the service center with the TSB? Should I not mention it until I see what they do and that said ... how do I print on up?
thanks for the response...
Check the warranty info since you're the 2nd owner. The powertrain warranty is cut in half pretty much, but I'm not sure what happens to the rest of them.
Did you purchase and extended warranty?
I did not purchase an extended warranty. But I have the option to do that if I need to so long as I do it before the factory warranty is up correct?
I will print up the TSB's but I may wait until I hear back from the dealer before breaking them out. The upper control arm is also responsible for the clunk right? I am confused why people are requesting newer shocks... I would think the same noises from the same locations would be caused by one single problem if occurring to so many cars. although if I can find the grounds to get new shocks... I would love to do that considering it will spare me some expense or at least put the cost of replacing them off for a little while. If the dealer replaces the control arms but not the shocks ... are there any grounds on which I can request new shocks as well? (I realize this may not be the most honest question ... but hey a dollar saved is a dollar earned
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3. some steady shaking of the steering wheel at highway speeds. With my car, by having the wheels balanced, it corrected the slight vibration (steady shaking) I felt on highway speeds. I was told that the wider aluminum wheels require more maintenance. Also, when you finally come around to replacing your tires, I would recommend going to a shop like sears or similar who will give you free balancing and rotation for the life of the tire.
4. I have also noticed that there is a slight jolt or lack there of (maybe it feels like a gear is slipping ... I can not really explain it since I am not technical) when the car is cold and I start driving... it usually goes away once I have been driving for several minutes. I've learned that my azera is like a jet engine or an old man and it requires about 5 minutes to warm up before performing properly. I don't even think about the warm up period and figured the engineer wanted it that way for a reason.
Azera's lights dimming - another common issue and I decided one day to replace the battery and the headlight dimming issue was resolved. Seems Hyundai must have bought 3 years worth of bad batteries from china.
I've enjoyed my azera and once I am 200,000 miles, I intend to purchase another, or perhaps I'll move up to the Genesis! As many, this is my first Hyundai and it has proven to be a very good car for me, about the only complaint is service - some dealerships are much better than others and it is best to try different one's to find one you like. The most recent dealership told me that my car had 60,000 miles and that the timing belt required changing - I smiled and said that I believed the maintenance was at 100,000 and that I had a timing chain - he paused for a moment and looked at his paper and said; "you are correct, my mistake." lol.. They work on commission so just be careful.
Bushings that allow less deflection in various directions could help keep the wheels aimed where they're supposed to be in actual use.
Thanks,
Bud H
Norm R
No no no!
The torque convertor clutch does not pulse. When you are at any speed above 38 mph
(in my car) with a light throttle, you transmission should be in fifth gear and the torque convertor clutch should be engaged. If you continue accelerating with a rather light throttle application, there should not be any engaging or disengaging of the torque convertor at all.
These 'types' will tell you anything to try and get you to believe their dribble.
There is indeed something wrong, either with the T/C or the software programming!
Try a different dealership. Have you filed a complaint with customer assistance in Utah?
If not, do so now!
What 'they' have said is simply not true.
Observe your tachometer. Prove what I am saying to yourself. Once your tachometer is steady at 40 mph and your tranny is in fifth gear and you see that the T/C is engaged,
does your tach suddenly go from a steady reading to several hundred rpms higher.
If it does, then your T/C did disengage which it should not be doing.
It should not do that under a steady throttle and very light throttle application.
And even if it does disengage, it should do so so smoothly that you really cannot feel it!
You do understand the idea behind a locking torque convertor I trust?
HTHs
D
I filed a complaint with Hyundai about 18 months ago, and nothing. The dealer is telling me they consider this normal and probably is flat spotting in the tires or something else--- anyway, it is not a safety issue and until Hyundai actually comes out with an admission of a problem and a "fix" I'm stuck with it! This was my first Hyundai and it will be my last.
I'm afraid I'm one who doesn't understand Locking Torque Converter. Is the dealer going to tell me that it is normal (like they try to tell me about my crappy suspension)?
Don't feel like the lone ranger.
I filed a complaint through Hyundai corporate about my suspension issues because I wasn't getting any satisfaction from the local dealer(s) (3 of them). Hyundai corporate replyed with a decision on my case in spite of never having seen the car that there was nothing wrong with my suspension...period. The reply letter was rather cold and blunt even though some of the (canned) wording tried to make it seem that they were sincerely "concerned" about keeping me as a customer.....ain't gonna happen. I also have seen my first and last Hyundai.
Bud H
How a company steps up and addresses this ensures customer satisfaction. Hyundai obviously is more focused on the 90/10 rule than customer satisfaction - you got a unit that represents the 90% - some of us were not that lucky and are stuck with a 10% product. Whether you agree with 90/10 or your number is 95/05, the end is still the same. We spent the same money you did, and didn't get what was represented to us and Hyundai is not doing anything about it.
Frustrated about their apathy
Don't feel like the Lone Haranger Mike.
Ours does exactly the same thing. Try going down grade with the cruise control set.
The T/C is continuously cycling back and forth, locking and unlocking,
engaging and disengaging.
We've owned many vehicles over the years, and I've never had any that would
do this. This car will hold in the computer whatever speed the cruise control
is set at even when you are stopped. All of the other cars I have had, when
you dropped below 30 MPH, the cruise control speed had to be reset.
I don't think the Hyundai people know how to properly set up their electronics.
And once more, I don't think they care or want to correct these problems.
To them, all complaints are unfounded! "It's behaving exactly as designed."
How many times have you heard that comment when complaining?
That why my Lemon Law firm is litigating our car on our behalf.
Thank goodness for the Song-Beverly act in California.
The Michelins used by Hyundai on this car are notorious for developing and retaining flat spots after the car has sat unused, especially in cold weather. The fading of the problem as the tires get warmer seems to be consistent with that. If they replaced with same type, that problem hasn't been ruled out at all.
Just a longshot question.