2006 Sonata Wheel well noise

Discussion in 'Hyundai Sonata' started by Dr.Colon.Oscopy, Jun 12, 2006.

  1. Just back from a 1200 mile trip on which we passed 10 k. Its a 6 cyl
    and I know this may not sound right but in the flatlands of VA and DE
    we were getting 28 mph (spiked up to 29 once??) at 60-65 with AC on
    low, no kidding (or at least thats what the trip computer said). My
    questions concerns annoying wheel well thumps that we heard peridically
    thru the trip. Sounded like a peice of soft debris being thrown up
    into the well. While I was driving I did not notice any debris behind
    the car on the road when I heard it. Although I imagine it is possible
    it was some foriegn object I wondered if this might be some type of
    thermal expansion (we were coming and going from extended wooded areas
    into open sunny farm lands) on the roof or some other part of the car.
    Anybody have something similar going on?..............Doc
     
    Dr.Colon.Oscopy, Jun 12, 2006
    #1
  2. Dr.Colon.Oscopy

    Bob Adkins Guest

    Welcome to the Ka-Thunk club Doc. :\

    If we're talking about the same sound, I hear it mostly on rough streets
    while driving slowly. Sounds like it's coming from between the rear wheels.

    One owner stated his dealer told him it was a shock mounting pad issue, and
    would be addressed by Hyundai. Heard nothing back on it so far.

    Another owner stated his emergency brake cable was loose, and rapping
    against the floor pan. He could see a slight mark against the undercoating
    where the cable was hitting. He secured it with a zip tie, heard nothing
    back on it so far.

    Personally, I slid underneath my car and hit against the fuel tank bottom
    with the heel of my hand. It made a very familiar sounding "ka-thunk" sound,
    even with the lightest bump. I just don't know if that's it or not. If I had
    a lift, I would stuff things in there and try to stabilize it. If's and
    but's!

    Bottom line, if it's the noise I think it is, it should be brought in to
    your dealer for resolution. *


    *I brought mine in, but the dealer was too busy that day, a huge
    thunderstorm came up with power blinking, and I just wanted to go home.
     
    Bob Adkins, Jun 12, 2006
    #2
  3. Dr.Colon.Oscopy

    Bob Adkins Guest

    Update on the K-thunk. Below is an update from an owner I mentioned in my
    previous post.

    Begin Quoted Text:

    Just an update.
    We put 600 miles on the Sonata this weekend with about half being interstate
    and the other half being rough roads. We had no more thumps. Actually the
    front suspension was louder than the rear. At one stop I reached up under
    the drivers side rear wheel and cut the zip tie off the brake cable since
    that was the side that had the most marks on the under body. Guess what,
    thump was back. I put a new zip tie back on it and no more thumping. Good
    enough for me, until I can figure out a more permanent method of keeping the
    cable off the body. Good luck people with your thumps in the night.

    End Quoted Text


    It sounds pretty promising, but I can't believe it's that darn simple!

    Anyone else have news from dealers or personally investigating the noise?
     
    Bob Adkins, Jun 19, 2006
    #3
  4. I had a 2000 and 2002 Sonata with the same problem. It turned out to be
    the rear suspension / shocks ; it was very annoying and happened all
    the time. Got the District Hyundai Mgn involved and in an attempt to
    make it better, he had oil filled shocks put on and it greatly improved
    things. Also, consider adding some 3/8" thick insulation roll from J.C.
    Whitney.com above the wheel well plastic liners to muffle noise ; it
    worked out well on other cars ive done. You have to remove the wheel
    then the Liner , but its a pretty easy job. Then glue some insulation
    roll down after cutting it to size. Also put some in the cargo area
    under the carpetting on the inside of the vehicle .
     
    Dave in Lake Villa, Jun 21, 2006
    #4
  5. Dr.Colon.Oscopy

    Matt Whiting Guest

    Is the wheel well plastic?

    Matt
     
    Matt Whiting, Jun 21, 2006
    #5
  6. Dr.Colon.Oscopy

    Bob Adkins Guest

    Hmmmm... if the waxy undercoating was applied under the wheel well, I wonder
    of the sound mat would even stick? If not, maybe just some of that foamy tar
    undercoating would help deaden the noise a lot.

    I know the sound deadening mat would help some, but the metal foil coating
    is most effective when oriented toward the cabin, right? In other words, it
    would work best if you could apply it to the wheel well from inside the car.
    Oy, I bet that would be a major job...
     
    Bob Adkins, Jun 22, 2006
    #6
  7. Dr.Colon.Oscopy

    Tunez Guest

    Bob, dont know if it would work or not but if you wanted to do it from
    inside the car why couldnt you drill some small holes and use that spray
    foam insallation, you know the kind that swells up when it drys. It would
    seep into the hard to get spots before it drys then all you would have to do
    is cut off the excess where you drilled the holes and touch it up with black
    paint and a small brush or a black magic marker.

    Tunez
     
    Tunez, Jun 22, 2006
    #7
  8. 'Is the wheel well plastic?
    Matt'

    REPLY: The Liners are black plastic inside the wheel well, and, from
    looking underneath the car...it appears the wheel well itself might be
    fiberglass as the floor looks to be.
     
    Dave in Lake Villa, Jun 22, 2006
    #8
  9. Dr.Colon.Oscopy

    Bob Adkins Guest

    Yea, I thought of it right away. I've used that expanding polyurethane foam
    for lots of things. Tip: Don't get it on your hands unless you like the way
    it looks! :)

    I think my car is quiet enough until I get on some extremely rough roads.
    All I need to do is kill that "k-thunk" noise in the rear. I would rather
    remove the noise than to isolate it, but I will if I have to.

    Note to Dave: Sorry for the e-mail. I pushed the wrong button. :\

    Another note to Dave: Would you consider doing a "how to" with pictures? :)
     
    Bob Adkins, Jun 22, 2006
    #9
  10. 'Another note to Dave: Would you consider doing a "how to" with
    pictures? :)
    --
    Bob'

    REPLY: Bob, If it were 'rocket science' id be pleased to, but, on a
    difficulty scale of 1 to 10....adding 3/8" insulation matting above the
    plastic wheel well liners once you have them removed, is about a 1.8 .
    Its even easier for adding it underneath the cargo capetting / cab floor
    carpetting. About all you need is a screwdriver, pliers, small socket
    wrenches , silicone glue , sizzors, and the insulation roll . Jack up
    the car and remove one wheel at a time , then look to see how the
    plastic wheel well liner is held on , then remove it taking your time.
    Clean up the top of the liner before you cut to size the insulation mat
    , glue it on, then re-install the liner. (dont forget to put the wheel
    back on too :)

    Dave
     
    Dave in Lake Villa, Jun 22, 2006
    #10
  11. Dr.Colon.Oscopy

    Bob Adkins Guest

    Hey Dave.

    Ya, I know it's not rocket surgery. :)

    But,,, sometimes finding and deciding which screws to remove can take hours.

    You're saying to stick the Dynamat to the plastic fender liner? Have you
    found that to be truly effective?

    The manufacturers could easily and cheaply done the same thing. Makes you
    wonder!
     
    Bob Adkins, Jun 23, 2006
    #11
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