RE: 200 Understand that if you install non OEM parts to your suspension system you will probably lose the part of your warranty that covers the suspension and steering systems. I would check with dealer prior to attempting such a change or modification.
Does anyone have any new information regarding the right front suspension noise? Someone mentioned that it may be due to the sway bar bracket only having one bolt and not two...I need to check the on-line manual about this. BTW..this car gets to 100 mph in a hurry :shades:
Two or three more seconds gets you to 110. Did that at night on the interstate a couple of weeks ago, then realized that my exit was right THERE! Guy waiting at the red light at the top of the deceleration ramp couldn't have been pleased, seeing my lights expanding in his rearview mirror...
I've heard that our federal government has mandated a top speed of 150mph for all vehicles sold in the USofA. That's is why there are models and drivelines available overseas that are not available here. I've had my Azera to 145mph a couple times, and it still wasn't done, but I was. Next time I'll check to see if it is electronically limited to 150.
DESCRIPTION: This bulletin describes the correct position of the tie rod end for Azera (TG) and Sonata (NF) vehicles.
During toe-in adjustment, the tie rod end (B) may move towards the stabilizer bar link (A) and reduce the clearance between the two parts as shown.
After toe-in adjustment, tighten the tie rod end lock nuts firmly then rotate the tie rod end with a wrench to increase clearance as shown below.
NOTE: Minimum clearance between the tie rod and the stabilizer cause an interference noise when the steering is turned fully vehicle is driven over uneven or rough road surfaces.
----------
This could be it for those Azeras (and some Sonatas) with a "clunk!"
Good Heads Up message. I tried to look under my Azera and everything is covered up with plastic mud/splash guards. Its too cold in my garage to start working on the bottom of the front end now. How about some of you more ambitious guys in the South taking a look?
I doubt that this is the cause of most clunks..it may be a fix for sharp turn clunkage as the parts may come close together in this circumstance, but I have 3-4 inches between parts shown in the TSB while the front wheels are straight ahead with no sign of contact (wear spots, etc.) I hear a different sound on the right than I do on the left front suspension. The left is "normal" while I hear an annoying suspension sound from the right while doing anywhere between 1-40 mph over small road irregularities. Perhaps the Entourage TSB regarding the strut is the culprit? Oh well...
It would be sweet if it were only that easy, but NOT the case. My Rt Frt AND Rt Rr are kluncking and since Azera's do not have Rr steering and this Is a straight ahead driving problem (see post #210), your thought is a NOTTA GONNA FIXA THE PROBLEMO. Comprehendo? :P
Unfortunately, there are times when you need to entertain all options...especially when you are getting jerked around with what a dealership should do without question and hesitation. It may be a dishonest approach; however, the end result will be the same and you will have gotten to the end far quicker.
I too read this forum everyday and my 06 Azera Limited has had the dreaded "clunk" ever since I purchased the car in July. Last week was the first time I've taken the car back to the dealer's service department. I left the car to have the oil and filter changed for the first time as it had 4434 miles on it. I also wanted to go on record with them about the "clunking" noise in the front end. I did not speak with anyone personally, as I left the car at the dealer late one evening and filled out a service form.
Here is what I wrote on the service form regarding the "clunking" noise. There appears to be a problem with the front suspension system, possibly the passenger side front strut. When traveling over a bumpy portion of a road (non-smooth)at a speed between 20 and 45 mph, there is a "clunking" noise that comes from the right side of the car. The "clunking" sounds like it is coming from the right front portion of the car (passenger side).
When I returned the following day to get the car, I was told that the right front strut assembly needed lubrication, that they did lube it and test drove it and there didn't appear to be any more "clunking" noises. They did test drive it because they put 24 miles on the car while it was in their possession.
Their service invoice had the following entries regarding the "clunking" noise. Customer states noise coming from the right front suspension. Remove right front strut assembly. Remove strut collar to install lube. Reinstall assembly.
The dealer did not charge me for the strut service or the oil and filter change. I've now had the car back for three days and have yet to hear the dreaded "clunking" noise. I know that this sounds like an incredibly simple solution to the "clunking" noise and I hope it permanently corrects my problem.
I just wanted everyone to know what one dealer's approach (or knowledge) to the "clunking" problem was. If the "clunking" noise returns, I'll let everyone know.
Just wanted everyone to know that I called and talked to the service manager at Green Hyundai in Springfield, Ill on Friday, January 5th. Recalling, that was the dealership where Technishawn got his Azera's clunk fixed. He has not heard anything from Hyundai regarding the clunk but said repeatedly that the Azera's clunk is definitely not normal. He is very much an advocate of those folks who have the dreaded clunk. He did say that an owner of an Azera got tired of waiting for a fix and traded the Azera for a Toyota. If anyone from Hyundai reads these posts you better get busy with a fix - time is your biggest enemy.
I really enjoy talking to him - I believe he is very genuine with his comments and anxious to get a fix for the dreaded clunk.
RE:217 Exactly what is it that the dealer lubricated? I can't think of a point where the dealer can "install" lubricant that would eliminate a "clunk".
Could you identify the Dealer and the phone number who seemingly found and repaired the clunk problem? I would like to furnish this info to my local dealer. Maybe they will do the same.
Let me tell you guys. I am about ready to trade this piece of junk back in and get a real car. My car has 10,000 miles and I have creaks and clunks all over it. The hood and bumper has tons of tiny rock chips all over it after teh first winter, and the engine seems to be getting really noisy. In the mornings it knocks until it is warm, and now one of the pullys has a squeak. The dealership says that there is nothing wrong, and I should not worry about it.
Are we all driving the same car? My Azzy has just under 4000 miles on it and was purchased in August. It has to be the best riding car I have ever owned and that includes several Acura TL's, Nissan Maxima and the like. Now I'm a senior citizen in my 70's and I do drive my car "sensibly" meaning occasionally up to 80mph on the interstate but not as a general rule. I don't abuse it by seeing if I can outrace anyone at the stoplights. I treat the car for what I perceive it to be, a "boulevard car" with good manners. It's my intention to change the oil regularly and keep it serviced to specs. Other than the suspension being a tad noisier than my recent cars, 2003 Acura TL's, which I leased this is quite the car. It is the first car that I have owned, in years, that my wife is comfortable driving. It's her white Azzy Limited. I drive an 06 Sonata LX6 and it's no slouch either. I get to drive the Azzy on weekends. Maybe I am "crazy" but there have been very few complaints about the Azera here and on the "other" board that I post on.
Exactly what is it that the dealer lubricated? I can't think of a point where the dealer can "install" lubricant that would eliminate a "clunk".
Bob - Sorry I can't be more specific, but my post was a direct quote from the service department invoice. Since I know nothing about strut assemblies, I don't have a clue as to what part of the strut was lubricated.
Could you identify the Dealer and the phone number who seemingly found and repaired the clunk problem? I would like to furnish this info to my local dealer. Maybe they will do the same.
Grayfox -
The dealer is West Broad Hyundai. They have a web site by the same name. Just add the www and the .com. Their start up page has their main phone number and if you click on the Site Links in the upper right corner, then select Service Center,and then select Staff, youll get a listing of the service department personel and their direct phone numbers.
I felt the same way. It's really too bad that texasazera has had such a bad experience. This is one of the greatest cars for the money that I've ever owned. Better than my last Nissan Maxima and Lincoln Continental. I just recently returned to Richmond, VA from a trip to Nags Head, NC for the New Years holiday. I had three other heavy weights in the car and all I heard on the way down & back was how comfortable they were and how well the car rode.
Now, I have sort of a lead foot, but with four people and a trunk crammed full of a weeks worth of luggage, I still got 28 MPG cruising between 75 and 80 mph most of the way.
Even with the dreaded clunk, I'm pretty darn happy with my 06 Azera Limited.
I follow your posts on the "other" board as well. Glad your wife lets you drive the Azera once in a while. I try to keep my wife away from mine.
Don't get me wrong guys, the car COULD be great with a few tweaks. The problem Hyundai is not willing to help. It kinda remonds me of a certain software company that releaed software with a ton of probglems and then takes forever to fix them.
My father owns a 2006 avalon and he drives WAY more than I do and his car is holding up much better.
I hyundai would fix my issues I would be very happy.
I have no idea. The thing is that telephone numbers are not supposed to be posted at all - see the Rules of the Road on the left. If I can easily verify that the number is correct and easily obtainable, I will leave them up. That was my point.
After i year and more than 13,000 miles, the mysterious "clunk" has virtually disappeared. My only thought is that the tires were out of round due to shipping, and now they have worn enough and have been subjected to enough road heat to eliminate flat spots which caused noise. Only other possibility is that struts were too firm and needed to "wear in". Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon?
If there were flat spots on your tires, they would vibrate you out of the car, not to mention the noise. My Azera now has 13000 miles and CLUNKS FRONT AND Rear, ON THE RIGHT SIDE (BADLY), AND SOMETIMES ON THE LEFT, when I hit a dip just right(OR WRONG). I have noticed that the ONLY time it CLUNKS IS ON EXTENTION, NEVER ON COMPRESSION, but it clunks everytime on extension, or a road DIP. That is NOT a tire problem. :P
I agree with you hyundai2. The clucking noise occurs on extension rather than compression.
I need to go over a speed bump at my office's parking lot every day, and no matter how slow I take it (and it's not a steep bump either), the clunk comes on the down side of the bump. I've tried crawling over it, on up to 10mph, and it's always on the extension of the strut that you hear the dreaded clunk. I wish it was only on the speed bump, but like everyone else with it, you hear it on slightly uneven roads under 35/40 mph. Hopefully the fix form Hyundai comes soon.
With 3500 miles on mine, the flat spots on the tores have come back to round a bit, but I'll be taking her back to the dealer for tire inspection &/or the balancing issue - both of these problems have TSB's issued.
For those of us that have some mystery mechanic fixing their clunking problem while we sleep; many blessings and good for you, for the rest of us we can put some lucky charms in our glove box and pray Hyundai comes us with a fix.
Actually sounds to me like strut torque might be 'off'. During assembly if the factory 'torque' tool was out of spec the applied torque may be lower than required. This in turn does not compress the rubber grommet and steel washers making the strut secure. The noise does not happen on compression because the part is on the high side while driving or when the car is sitting. When you go over a bump the strut compresses, no noise, then extends and the lack of torque causes strut movement and the 'clunk'. The noise would also be heard when going over road roughness. This also explains why the noise is heard at lower speeds. When driving at speeds over 40 mph the front end typically raises up and loads the strut eliminating the noise. This would account for the noise being in both the front and rear if the same tool was used for both the strut and shock during assembly. If a torque tool is not held properly the amount of applied torque can be quite different from nut to nut. The tool will meet quality requirements but the employees application of the tool can be the problem. The torque does not have to be far off the specification to allow the part to be loose. This also explains why, in an earlier post, that after removal and re installing the 'clunk' went away. There is also a possibility that either the upper or lower 'a' frame bolts are not torqued to spec but I think this is pretty remote. If the dealer puts the car on the lift and tries to shake the strut to see if it's loose it won't move because it's under load on frame lift or drive on lift. The 'mechanic' who visits this sight might have additional comments on this probability.
You are correct! You might also be interested to know that postings 222 and 232 were made by two different forum members. I hope that you find this reply "VERY INTERESTING"
The pillar at the juncture where the driver's door latches and where the the rear door hinges, down at the bottom, an inch below that rear door's lower hinge...y'gotta GIT DOWN!!! WOOOOO!!!...
I've NOT heard a better "probable cause" or Theory. It ALL ADDS UP and makes total sense. My '06 with 14000 miles on it now, goes in to Suntrup Hyundai, in St. Louis on 29 Jan '07, for Strut noise, front and Rr. :sick: My service manager seems motivated, :confuse: and I've printed post # 237 for him to wrestle with. I'll find out and post the results. :
My car's build date was 1/25/06. The clunk is still there and slowly continues to get worse.
Question for everyone. My Azera pulls to the right . . . again. I had it in for a pull to the right about 2 and one half months ago and now I will be taking it in again. Could the worsening "dreaded clunk" have anything to do with it?
It's a sad commentary if the customer has to tell the service department how to deal with a problem with their car. One would believe that the Service Manager should keep up with the TSB's for all models.
They probably would or do, but going in informed is like a trial laywer's adage about asking questions: "Never ask the witness on the stand a question unless you already know the answer"... :shades:
Comments
Understand that if you install non OEM parts to your suspension system you will probably lose the part of your warranty that covers the suspension and steering systems.
I would check with dealer prior to attempting such a change or modification.
Watch out for the boys in blue.( or beige,depending on your town)
This bulletin describes the correct position of the tie rod end for Azera (TG) and Sonata (NF) vehicles.
During toe-in adjustment, the tie rod end (B) may move towards the stabilizer bar link (A) and reduce the clearance between the two parts as shown.
After toe-in adjustment, tighten the tie rod end lock nuts firmly then rotate the tie rod end with a wrench to increase clearance as shown below.
NOTE: Minimum clearance between the tie rod and the stabilizer cause an interference noise when the steering is turned fully vehicle is driven over uneven or rough road surfaces.
----------
This could be it for those Azeras (and some Sonatas) with a "clunk!"
Data with photos can be found at:
http://www.hmaservice.com/index.jsp
Here is what I wrote on the service form regarding the "clunking" noise. There appears to be a problem with the front suspension system, possibly the passenger side front strut. When traveling over a bumpy portion of a road (non-smooth)at a speed between 20 and 45 mph, there is a "clunking" noise that comes from the right side of the car. The "clunking" sounds like it is coming from the right front portion of the car (passenger side).
When I returned the following day to get the car, I was told that the right front strut assembly needed lubrication, that they did lube it and test drove it and there didn't appear to be any more "clunking" noises. They did test drive it because they put 24 miles on the car while it was in their possession.
Their service invoice had the following entries regarding the "clunking" noise. Customer states noise coming from the right front suspension. Remove right front strut assembly. Remove strut collar to install lube. Reinstall assembly.
The dealer did not charge me for the strut service or the oil and filter change. I've now had the car back for three days and have yet to hear the dreaded "clunking" noise. I know that this sounds like an incredibly simple solution to the "clunking" noise and I hope it permanently corrects my problem.
I just wanted everyone to know what one dealer's approach (or knowledge) to the "clunking" problem was. If the "clunking" noise returns, I'll let everyone know.
I really enjoy talking to him - I believe he is very genuine with his comments and anxious to get a fix for the dreaded clunk.
JMJK
Exactly what is it that the dealer lubricated? I can't think of a point where the dealer can "install" lubricant that would eliminate a "clunk".
BULL S**T
Maybe I am "crazy" but there have been very few complaints about the Azera here and on the "other" board that I post on.
Bob -
Sorry I can't be more specific, but my post was a direct quote from the service department invoice. Since I know nothing about strut assemblies, I don't have a clue as to what part of the strut was lubricated.
Grayfox -
The dealer is West Broad Hyundai. They have a web site by the same name. Just add the www and the .com. Their start up page has their main phone number and if you click on the Site Links in the upper right corner, then select Service Center,and then select Staff, youll get a listing of the service department personel and their direct phone numbers.
Good luck.
drdonrs -
I felt the same way. It's really too bad that texasazera has had such a bad experience. This is one of the greatest cars for the money that I've ever owned. Better than my last Nissan Maxima and Lincoln Continental. I just recently returned to Richmond, VA from a trip to Nags Head, NC for the New Years holiday. I had three other heavy weights in the car and all I heard on the way down & back was how comfortable they were and how well the car rode.
Now, I have sort of a lead foot, but with four people and a trunk crammed full of a weeks worth of luggage, I still got 28 MPG cruising between 75 and 80 mph most of the way.
Even with the dreaded clunk, I'm pretty darn happy with my 06 Azera Limited.
I follow your posts on the "other" board as well. Glad your wife lets you drive the Azera once in a while. I try to keep my wife away from mine.
Just imagine even how much happier you might be if it didn't have the "clunk".
With a few tweaks it could be a great car.
My father owns a 2006 avalon and he drives WAY more than I do and his car is holding up much better.
I hyundai would fix my issues I would be very happy.
Only other possibility is that struts were too firm and needed to "wear in".
Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon?
Just passing on my experience.
Unless someone came into my garage and fixed it while I slept, something corrected the problem.
I need to go over a speed bump at my office's parking lot every day, and no matter how slow I take it (and it's not a steep bump either), the clunk comes on the down side of the bump. I've tried crawling over it, on up to 10mph, and it's always on the extension of the strut that you hear the dreaded clunk. I wish it was only on the speed bump, but like everyone else with it, you hear it on slightly uneven roads under 35/40 mph. Hopefully the fix form Hyundai comes soon.
With 3500 miles on mine, the flat spots on the tores have come back to round a bit, but I'll be taking her back to the dealer for tire inspection &/or the balancing issue - both of these problems have TSB's issued.
For those of us that have some mystery mechanic fixing their clunking problem while we sleep; many blessings and good for you, for the rest of us we can put some lucky charms in our glove box and pray Hyundai comes us with a fix.
I guess that some are more charmed than others.
During assembly if the factory 'torque' tool was out of spec the applied torque may be lower than required. This in turn does not compress the rubber grommet and steel washers making the strut secure.
The noise does not happen on compression because the part is on the high side while driving or when the car is sitting. When you go over a bump the strut compresses, no noise, then extends and the lack of torque causes strut movement and the 'clunk'. The noise would also be heard when going over road roughness. This also explains why the noise is heard at lower speeds. When driving at speeds over 40 mph the front end typically raises up and loads the strut eliminating the noise.
This would account for the noise being in both the front and rear if the same tool was used for both the strut and shock during assembly. If a torque tool is not held properly the amount of applied torque can be quite different from nut to nut. The tool will meet quality requirements but the employees application of the tool can be the problem. The torque does not have to be far off the specification to allow the part to be loose.
This also explains why, in an earlier post, that after removal and re installing the 'clunk' went away.
There is also a possibility that either the upper or lower 'a' frame bolts are not torqued to spec but I think this is pretty remote.
If the dealer puts the car on the lift and tries to shake the strut to see if it's loose it won't move because it's under load on frame lift or drive on lift.
The 'mechanic' who visits this sight might have additional comments on this probability.
Now, on Jan 8 (post 222) you complain about all kind of things and on Jan 9 (post 232) the 'clunks' have disappeared .... VERY INTERESTING
I'm confident your reply to this will MORE interesting.
Can it be narrowed down to a specific range of dates? My Azera was built June/13/06 and has been/continues to be clunkless at 5,000 miles.
How about others' dates of manufacture?...
You might also be interested to know that postings 222 and 232 were made by two different forum members.
I hope that you find this reply "VERY INTERESTING"
"the driver's side lower "B" pillar tag" is a little over my head. Kindly explain.
Thanks,
JMJK
Question for everyone. My Azera pulls to the right . . . again. I had it in for a pull to the right about 2 and one half months ago and now I will be taking it in again. Could the worsening "dreaded clunk" have anything to do with it?
JMJK
One would believe that the Service Manager should keep up with the TSB's for all models.