Suspension Issue - A new take

[GripperDon]

"I appreciate your feedback, but I'm going to have to give the Serenitys a try. The HUGE amount of positive reviews and solid Tire Rack test results are just too much to overlook."

Mr jwaters943, Have you installed the Serenity's yet I would like to hear the comparison to the con-fort treads.

 

[BossaNova]

Some observations on this issue, which is obviously still a very HOT topic (are you listening Hyundai?).

My 3.8 Genesis now has more than 20,000 miles on it and the suspension has definitely softened up somewhat. Not enough to cure the oscillation problems on certain surfaces, but definitely better than it was. Since I have never thought the springs were an issue here - and they certainly wouldn't have changed much in 20k - I can only assume the change is down to some age change in the shocks and/or changes in the suspension rubber bushings.

Another thing I have noted is that the problem is definitely worse at lower temperatures during the winter months. Come spring and summer, the issue is less obvious. I run 17" wheels with winter tires (225/55/17) and the ride was better with these compared to the stock 235/50/18 that I ran for the first few months of winter, but changing back in the spring did not cause the ride to deteriorate as much as I expected.

As I have stated previously, 95% of the time the ride is just fine. It is firm but not uncomfortable, although transverse ridges are still an issue. It is only certain surfaces that cause the jarring oscillation that has been described by many owners. I guess if you live near such road surfaces and travel them every day, the problem is much more of an issue. For me, I love the car and it is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. Much as I want to see a solution to this ride issue, there is no way I would dump my Genny because of it.

I noticed the same softening of the suspension at about 20K in my '02 VW Passat. I'm hoping for the same in my new Genny, because, like the man said, "much as I want to see a solution to this ride issue, there is no way I would dump my Genny because of it."

 

[jwaters943]

Don,

I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I was getting it done now. I'm waiting until next Spring. I figure why bother with it now since I'll be putting snow tires on in 3 months.

I'll be sure to report back then.

 

[BossaNova]

Great news folks!
I had GoodYear Assurance Comfortreds in size 215/60R17 (H rated) installed this afternoon by Discount Tires, and I can only describe the ride now to be as good as my old '97 Lexus LS400! This evening I drove it over the rougher streets that used to jolt me around, and the Genesis ran creamy-smooth. The "low grain" jittery harshness is gone, and what used to be jarring impacts that shook my fillings loose, are now properly controlled and absorbed.

As a bonus, the car rides perceptably quieter - actually there is no road noise whatsoever. I am absolutely delighted. These are the tires that Hyundai should be putting on the Genesis. They obviously work well with the suspension calibration.

The steering is not quite as sharp, but that is to be expected with a softer, higher profile tire. For anyone with concerns over the narrower width 215 tire being insufficient for the weight of the car, the 60 aspect ratio tire actually has a higher load rating than the lower profile 55 series, and the overall diameter is 27.2". I have them at 33psi, although the higher load rating will allow dropping a couple of psi.

I took my wife for a ride without telling her it had different tires. After a couple minutes she asked what I did to the car because it "rides nice".
Discount Tires will give you a "trade in allowance" on your old tires if they are relatively new and are in good condition, which is nice considering the cost of having new tires installed.

GoodYear offers a 30 day ride satisfaction warranty so you have nothing to lose if you don't like the tires, but if you are looking at taming the Genesis for a smooth and quiet ride, I am sure you will be equally delighted with the results.

I'm curious as to what you think about the Assurance TripleTreds. Consumer Reports rates them a little better than the ComfortTreds. You probably looked at both - are the TripleTreds a lot more expensive?

 

[LLT]

Don,

I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I was getting it done now. I'm waiting until next Spring. I figure why bother with it now since I'll be putting snow tires on in 3 months.

I'll be sure to report back then.

Guess I'm going to have to be the guinea pig then! I ordered a set of 235/50R18 Serenity's -- they'll be installed next Tuesday or Wednesday. I hope I have something positive to report.

 

[Genesis380]

I'm curious as to what you think about the Assurance TripleTreds. Consumer Reports rates them a little better than the ComfortTreds. You probably looked at both - are the TripleTreds a lot more expensive?

The price difference between the Comfortreds and TripleTreds is negligible. I wanted the Comfortreds because they have a softer ride and are quieter than TripleTreds, and I have Comfortreds on our Altima 3.5 and are happy with them.
The TripleTreds are better in snow, but I'm in Atlanta and the whole state shuts down when we see a flurry, so snow traction isn't a major consideration for me.

 

[GripperDon]

OK LLI that will really be interesting. Right now i am leaning toward a 225/60-17 Comfortred installation. Looks like the radius increase is about 11mm say 0.44 inch. As far as I can measure that does not seem to be a problem with clearance or rim width and will give just a smidgen more wall height, along with an initial speedo error of a couples of mph at 70mph. What do you all think of that potential?

 

[Genesis380]

OK LLI that will really be interesting. Right now i am leaning toward a 225/60-17 Comfortred installation. Looks like the radius increase is about 11mm say 0.44 inch. As far as I can measure that does not seem to be a problem with clearance or rim width and will give just a smidgen more wall height, along with an initial speedo error of a couples of mph at 70mph. What do you all think of that potential?

The 225/60-17 Comfortred is a T rated tire, which may you may not care about. The 215/60-17 Comfortred is H rated. Check that the tire will clear the front suspension links because the 225/60-17 is 27.6" in diameter compared with the standard OEM 235/50-18 Dunlops that measure 27.1" in diameter, which as you know is the largest standard tire specified for the Genesis.
The 215/60-17 Comfortreds measure 27.2" in diameter and fit comfortably. I'm not sure whether that extra .5" of the 225/60-17 (over the 235/50-18) will clear the front suspension links. The rears look OK to me. Better check...

 

[GripperDon]

THANKS GENESIS380

I had checked the clearance and that was OK and I was OK with the speedo error, Rim width OK also BUT someway overlooked the "T" rating so that kills it. NO 225/60

It was all for just a bit more side wall height for added softness so not worth it. Thanks for pointing that out to me. Grip.

 

[Genesis380]

I think you will be very pleased (ie relieved) with the 215's. I no longer dread driving my Genesis!
I couldn't stand it - I was so close to trading it in... This weekend I'll enjoy the car for the first time.

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[jwaters943]

Wow, that big of a difference huh?

Nice!

(FWIW I already *like* the ride of the Genesis on most roads, so with better tires I'm hoping it will resolve any and all issues I have w/ the ride quality)

 

[Genesis380]

I checked the date of manufacture and the one I test drove was a relatively early build date. It was NOT as hard riding as the one I got, or I would have run the other way. In fact it was so smooth that my young son wh was with me during both test drives called it "the smooth car". I think Hyundai quietly made some running changes to firm up the suspension, (or there are variances in the suspension component quality control) and I ended up with one of the "rock hard" ones.
Mine has a build date of 11/08. What is yours?

 

[jwaters943]

The black sticker on the drivers door opening says 5/08/08, which happened to be my 30th birthday. I actually picked up my Genesis on 6/28/08 FWIW.

I'm beginning to think there may be something to your suspicions because I've never had anyone comment that my car rides poorly.

 

[Genesis380]

My wife wouldn't notice if she were riding on a 4 flat tires, and she even commented on how rough the Genesis was!!!

 

[jwaters943]

My wife wouldn't notice if she were riding on a 4 flat tires, and she even commented on how rough the Genesis was!!!

Wow!

Initially I thought it was just a case of certain owners being too picky, but comments like yours combined with the fact that others have little to no issue w/ the suspension truly leads me to believe this is a QC issue. It's the only thing that makes sense. I don't think it is build-date related because I know quite a few w/ early build dates that have complained about the ride.

 

[GripperDon]

I checked the date of manufacture and the one I test drove was a relatively early build date. It was NOT as hard riding as the one I got, or I would have run the other way. In fact it was so smooth that my young son wh was with me during both test drives called it "the smooth car". I think Hyundai quietly made some running changes to firm up the suspension, (or there are variances in the suspension component quality control) and I ended up with one of the "rock hard" ones.
Mine has a build date of 11/08. What is yours?

My rock was made in April of this year.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

I just reduced the air pressure in all tires from 35 psi to 32 psi cold. WOW... what a difference that made in the ride of this car. I was not sure if this would really be that different, but it really is. Back in love with my Genesis.

 

[GripperDon]

I just reduced the air pressure in all tires from 35 psi to 32 psi cold. WOW... what a difference that made in the ride of this car. I was not sure if this would really be that different, but it really is. Back in love with my Genesis.

Glad it helped you, for me it was just a little bit, nothing like I need. I am convinced byGenesis380 and am ordering on Monday, the delay was that I wanted to change to chromed version of the 17 Genesis wheel but hard to find them as the car is so new.

 

[Puredeath]

I checked the date of manufacture and the one I test drove was a relatively early build date. It was NOT as hard riding as the one I got, or I would have run the other way. In fact it was so smooth that my young son wh was with me during both test drives called it "the smooth car". I think Hyundai quietly made some running changes to firm up the suspension, (or there are variances in the suspension component quality control) and I ended up with one of the "rock hard" ones.
Mine has a build date of 11/08. What is yours?

As described previously in another thread, my build date is also 11/08, and I also have the same suspension issues that you are experiencing. I have driven a manager's car, with an earlier built date, and I, as well as the manager, can attest that his genesis has a much more controlled ride than mine. Unfortunately, Hyundai has not issued a recall as of yet, so the dealer is unable to fix the issue. I have filed a complaint with Hyundai Corporate, but unless they issue a recall, dealer will just stamp my complaints with their usual: "performs as designed", while every tech at the dealership agrees that it does not.

 

[wallymn]

As described previously in another thread, my build date is also 11/08, and I also have the same suspension issues that you are experiencing. I have driven a manager's car, with an earlier built date, and I, as well as the manager, can attest that his genesis has a much more controlled ride than mine. Unfortunately, Hyundai has not issued a recall as of yet, so the dealer is unable to fix the issue. I have filed a complaint with Hyundai Corporate, but unless they issue a recall, dealer will just stamp my complaints with their usual: "performs as designed", while every tech at the dealership agrees that it does not.

This is the most telling thing I have seen posted on the subject. I have been very happy with my ride, others who have had problems reported the same on all the cars they drove, so this is the first to suggest there is a real issue rather than a subjective view of the ride quality.

If you and the service manager agreed there was an issue what action did the service manager take to resolve your issue?