Front end vibration

Ok, here's what's happening on my 02 Santa Fe LX AWD with traction control
and ABS with 44780 miles. When I am either maintaining or slowly
accelerating (10-15% throttle) from 35-45MPH I get a strange strong
vibration coming from the front end sometimes (About 20% of the time). The
car does not pull to one side or another, and the vibration goes away if I
alter the throttle position (More or no throttle). There is no noise except
for the vibration. It also always shakes a little (Barley noticeable) from
35-45MPH. Other than that it is smooth, no pulling, no warning lights ever.
I have rotated the tires and no difference was noticed. And now a little
back ground info, about the same time the vibration started my car stopped
squealing. The squealing happened after driving 5 miles or so and would
stop when breaks were depressed, or driven over 30 miles) otherwise it was
non-stop and loud, I checked the brakes and there was plenty of material,
and of course my dealer could never reproduce it and since I picked up after
hours, I was unable to show them. After talking in the santafeforum.net
they told me it was a caliper problem and they just needed to be cleaned, so
I just dealt with it as I did not have much time or money to get it worked
on. This went on for about 1000-2000 miles. So my theory at this point is
maybe a wheel bearing went bad, and that was the squealing and now the
bearing is completely shot? Is that covered by warranty? If not on average
what is the cost? Anyone have any other ideas? Gas mileage on a 125mile
highway trip today was 22MPG done the scientific way (same pump, same gas
station, and filled until the gas was visible and did not go down anymore).
I have nothing to compare gas mileage to because it's my wife's car and I
never watched MPG, I just made sure it got regular maintenance, gas was
taken care of by the wife. Thanks for any help in advance!

 

It's the TCS working.. When wheels tends to slip the TCS circuit brakes the
slipping wheel in that way, if you insist to accelerate then TCS slow down
engine, if you give less throttle wheels have grip and then TCS ends to
work.
TCS is GREAT to use with snow, and the only reason to switch it off is to
have fun with slipping wheels in sporty driving. (but not so effective)

 

No, I know when TCS is working, it flashes a light on the dash. This is for
no reason on dry smooth pavement.

 

Opss sorry, I had not read all the post with attention..

 

Check tire wear, A thing called cupping, uneven tread wear can cause
vibration at a certain speed.

 

No, that's not it either I rotated the tires to check for that. I am
leaning towards bearings or differential. Thanks for the thought though.

 

It sounds like your torque converter clutch is slipping. There's a TSB for
reprogramming the trans control module to resolve this issue. Also, it's
important to have the clean and correct fluid in the transmission.

Go to www.hmaservice.com, click on service information and webtech.
Select your vehicle year and model, click on the tsb tab, and go to the
transmission index and look for tsb 04-40-007.
If you're in the U.S., you're still within the warranty period. You've
given a good description of the problem. If you take it to the dealer
with that description, it should get you a reprogram on Hyundai's dime.

 

HyundaiTech,

Thanks for the info it looks like that is it. Can any damage be done to
the vehicle when driving with the shudder? Its been going on for about 2000
miles or so, I would have taken it sooner, but I work all week and need my
car and service is only open Monday-Friday. Thanks again, if you ever need
someone to praise you for hard work let me know and I will call anyone you
need me to. The service you provide to this group is great!

 

It can't be good for the torque converter clutch material itself. The
vibration you feel is the result of a slip-stick condition. But
realistically, probably no real damage has been done.

 

I've started noticing this happening on my new 2005 SF LX. Starts at about
50 -55 MPH and stops at about 62-63MPH. It happens about 60% of the time.
I've been trying to keep it under 60 for the break-in period so I'd rather
not go faster all the time.

It really feels like a tire or suspension problem. Reminds me of an American
car when the tie-rod ends wear out.

Jon